Who is winning? Who is losing? How are music competitions changing, and why? In this episode, we’re talking about the problematic nature of piano tournaments, the juries, the multitude of opinions and standards in judgment, and the vicious cycle imposed by the system these competitions are built into.

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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Would Chopin win the Chopin Competition? Although that’s the starting point of this episode, we go far beyond this famous and important event in the piano world, using it only as an excuse to talk about the ever-changing world. What are the challenges faced by sensitive musicians today? What influences our perception of music performances and the way we talk about them? What is the impact of technology on our performing and listening habits, and how does it shape our expectations? All this and more on Music Wide Open, Episode 22 — If Chopin Lived Today.

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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Anxiety, self-doubt, high expectations, and high pressure. In this episode, we discuss the factors that influence the stress musicians experience before going on stage and ways to fight it. How to transform fear from a weakness into a strength. We explain why it’s important to reframe stage fright and how to stay above everything we can’t control—without resorting to destructive short-term solutions.

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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How do you recognize a bad teacher? What qualities define a good one? In this episode, we explore how the differing motivations of teachers and students influence the students’ playing and shape their futures.

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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How will the profession of musicians change? Why is this change inevitable? How has it evolved over time, and will musicians remain motivated to do their job? In this episode, we take a look into a future that seems just around the corner. We go far beyond the common understanding of what this profession is and explore the influencing factors that have been shaping it and will continue to transform it.

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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Do you know anyone who thinks they don’t have good taste in music? In this episode, we explore what influences our perception, what corrupts our senses and what compromises our inner gut feeling. We discuss the impact of opinion makers on shaping the current landscape of classical music, their competence (or lack thereof), and the reasons behind the absence of honest and substantive discussions about quality—a particularly important topic in this age of rapidly advancing technology.

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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Perfection in music, classical musicians striving for flawlessness, and the beauty of perfect imperfection — these are the topics we explore in this episode. We also discuss how music competitions and fear can stifle musical expression, the balance between technical and musical perfection, and why true perfection in music is so difficult to define and measure — yet so easy to manipulate.

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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Energy is everything. It determines our actions and shapes our futures. In this episode, we discuss how our perception of life and ourselves influences both our personal and professional paths. How does it affect musicians? Why and when can it create blockages? And why is it important to recognize the immense power that energy has in shaping our destiny? 

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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A major piano competition can be a life-changing event. Many pianists dream of achieving a success that propels their careers forward and redefines their lives. However, to maximize one’s chances-despite all odds-almost bulletproof preparation is required: the kind where nothing is left to chance. In this episode, we open the door to our own lives and reveal what it took for Ingolf to prepare for the Chopin Competition, how meticulous he was, how he sustained the pressure, and what made his breakthrough possible. Following E01, "Let's Start with Why," this is the most personal episode in the Music Wide Open series. We hope this gives courage and strength to those of you who are sensitive musicians but may feel too fragile to succeed.

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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Many musicians emphasize the importance of “playing exactly as written in the score” in order to serve the composer and their music. But what does that actually mean? In this episode, we discuss the intricate relation between musicians’ words and their understanding and execution of music. Does everyone understand “serving the music” the same way? And why will the classical music circle weaken itself in the long run? Listen to the episode ‘Serving the music. Real or fake?’

Same words, different meaning

Why the differences?

To serve the composer

To serve the music

Future and economic pressures

Cooperation, not competition

Rat race and music business

Technological future

Think bigger 

🎼🧠 What does it really mean to “serve the music”? In this episode, we unpack a phrase musicians love to say—but often interpret very differently. Is “playing exactly as written” a sign of respect or a lack of imagination? Why do some believe they’re honoring the composer while actually reducing the music’s spirit? We dive into the clash between tradition and interpretation, how competition and industry pressures shape musicians’ choices, and why classical music might be hurting itself from the inside. 💬🎻

🎙️ Hosted by Paulina Wunder and Ingolf Wunder.

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Podcast Website: musicwideopen.com

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