Best Tonebase Inc Podcasts (2025)

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6. Playing for No One | Bach, the pandemic, and three centuries of private musical craftsmanship 28:14

3y ago28:14

28:14

By Lowry Yankwich

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5. The "Sole" of the Piano | The Story of Pedaling, from the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Age 31:19

3y ago31:19

31:19

Pianists spend a lot of time thinking about their feet. In this episode, we will too. Join us as we explore the history of pedaling, from their earliest, and often bizarre, incarnations, to their modern form. With over 15 tonebase artists, we'll discover why so many pianists consider pedaling the "soul," or "sole" (hehe) of the piano. Featuring Gar…

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4. The Odd Couple | Debussy and Ravel on the Threshold of the 20th Century 45:26

3+ y ago45:26

45:26

Debussy and Ravel are often conjoined in the minds of piano students as the two French "impressionist" composers. But much is lost in such generalizations. This episode unpacks the distinct contributions of each composer, comparing and contrasting their novel uses of register, texture, harmony, narrative, and form. How did the two turn-of-the-centu…

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3. Stealing Time | The Meanings of Rubato in Piano Playing 37:35

3+ y ago37:35

37:35

Tempo Rubato, Italian for “stolen time,” is an expressive device in every pianist’s toolkit. Yet how and when to use it is controversial. We explore the ways musicians have employed rubato over the centuries, and what taking time in music can teach us about freedom. Ft. Anne-Marie McDermott, Simone Dinnerstein, Andrew Tyson, Emanuel Ax and more, wi…

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2. A Lifelong Companion | Leon Fleisher and Brahms's First Concerto 31:15

3+ y ago31:15

31:15

What does it mean to live a life with a piece of music? Leon Fleisher made his Carnegie Hall debut performing the Brahms D Minor Piano Concerto, and played the piece many times throughout his life. But, in a story that is now well-worn, Fleisher developed focal dystonia at the peak of his career, limiting his use of his right hand for the next 30 y…

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1. Beginnings | Chopin's First Ballade 30:14

3+ y ago30:14

30:14

Frédéric Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G Minor was revolutionary for its time, and remains a jewel of the piano repertoire today. Touching on everything from Bellini to Cole Porter, poetry to politics, this episode reveals the potency of the piece's opening measures through the eyes (and hands) of acclaimed concert pianists Garrick Ohlsson, Emanuel Ax,…