Heather Taves is an acclaimed Canadian pianist, also a composer, improviser, educator and writer.

She spoke to me about her unique and inspiring Beethoven Journey, her popular weekly blog which she started in 2023 , paired with performances of all of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas. We talked about getting to know Beethoven as a person and her fascinating research about many women that are part of this history. We also talked about Heather’s work as an educator, developing creativity and approaching teaching music from different angles. She spoke about her mentors including pianist Gil Kalish and writer Diane Shoemperlen, and her experiences travelling around the world by herself.

You can also watch this on my YouTube channel, transcript and complete show notes with suggested episodes too on my website!

Heather Taves website

It’s a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you every week, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Buy me a coffee?

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Waves Play from East Coast Suite

Arabesque in C major by R. Schumann

photo: Terry Manzo

(00:00) Intro

(02:25) Beethoven Journey, Nanette Streicher, sonata cycle

(08:32) Jan and Jean Narveson, Anton Kuerti, women interpreters research

(17:52) clip of R. Schumann Arabesque in C major (album linked in show notes)

(19:30) Heather’s childhood

(22:11) East Coast Suite, Toccata based on Fibonacci series

(23:14) Waves Play Toccata by Heather Taves from East Coast Suite

(25:49)Creative Projects, helping students to find their voice

(32:44) getting to know Beethoven the person

(38:39) performing from memory

(41:20) Gil Kalish

(45:48) other episodes you’ll like and ways to support this series

(46:42) Beethoven journey blog

(59:18) writing mentor Diane Schoemperlen

(01:043:23) Dame Myra Hess

(01:07:54) Heather’s life as a composer, her father

(01:11:35) world trip, questioning identity

(01:16:48) final reflections on the life of a performer