piano fortissimo podcast

After almost a year away, the Piano Fortissimo Podcast returns.

In this special short episode, I look back on one of the most transformative years of my artistic life - from bringing my own concert concept, Klimt meets Bösendorfer, to the George Enescu International Festival, to building a community of nearly 60,000 people on Instagram through three years of daily storytelling.

I also share why the podcast actually never really stopped behind the scenes, and what’s coming next.

The upcoming season features conversations already recorded with extraordinary guests, including Kate Lindsey, Ailyn Pérez, Vera Brandes, Randy Schoenberg, Maison Musée Maurice Ravel, Laëtitia Eïdo, Dana Grigorcea and many more inspiring voices from the worlds of music, culture and creativity.

Thank you for being here! You can find me on Instagram @alexandrasilocea and @piano_fortissimo_podcast.

Worry less and let me music flow (how I missed saying this!)

Hello everyone - and welcome back to the Piano Fortissimo Podcast episode 16. It feels like it’s been a long break... and, well, it has. But the truth is: I’ve been busy. Very busy. Performing, teaching, travelling,

So thank you for your patience and for tuning in again. I’ve missed these conversations and I’m truly excited about what’s coming next. And I promise: it’s worth the wait.

Today on the Piano Fortissimo Podcast, I’m joined by a truly unique voice in the world of classical music: Hyung-ki Joo - British pianist, composer, and educator of Korean heritage, renowned for his expressive playing, magnetic stage presence, and unconventional approach to music-making.

A graduate of the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Manhattan School of Music - where he was later awarded an honorary doctorate - Hyung-ki has performed with major orchestras such as the London Philharmonic, the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, and the Seoul Philharmonic. As a chamber musician, he’s collaborated with legendary names including Julia Fischer, Janine Jansen, Gidon Kremer, and Viktoria Mullova, and he has a special love for vocal repertoire, working with artists like Dame Felicity Lott, Pretty Yende, and Asmik Grigorian.

Beyond the stage, Hyung-ki is Artistic Director of the Menuhin Competition and Piano City Vienna. He’s also a passionate teacher, mentoring young musicians at top institutions around the world. His compositions have been commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphony, among others.

And of course, for over two decades, he’s brought joy to global audiences as one half of Igudesman & Joo, blending classical music, comedy, and pop culture - a duo that will take their final bow in 2025.

From recording Billy Joel’s classical album to curating the Vienna Festwochen opening, Hyung-ki’s artistic reach seems limitless. I’m thrilled to welcome him today to explore the many sides of creativity, risk, and reinvention in classical music.

Sergei Prokofiev’s music has been a defining part of my artistic journey. His bold, imaginative, and deeply expressive works have shaped my professional life, and I’ve had the privilege of recording some of his most amazing piano pieces as my debut cd recording back in 2011. But today, we explore another side of the Prokofiev legacy - one that is just as creative, just as thought-provoking, and deeply personal.

My guest for this episode is Lina Prokofieff, the great-granddaughter of the legendary composer!

Born in Moscow in 1981, Lina moved to Paris with her family at the age of nine. Initially drawn to literature, she later studied graphic design in Paris and Brussels. Her professional career began in advertising and the press, but she soon found her true passion in photography, becoming a self-taught artist exhibiting in both Paris and Moscow.

In 2018, she discovered the art of embroidery, a turning point that allowed her to reconnect with physical materials in a profound way. She began creating hybrid works, where ink merges with beads and threads, forming compositions that feel organic, almost alive. Then, in 2022, she took another artistic leap, dedicating herself fully to painting. Her first series, Cartes sans territoire (Maps Without Territory), was unveiled in a solo exhibition in Paris, marking yet another evolution in her creative journey.

Lina and I share a special connection - not just through the name Prokofiev, but through years of friendship. In this episode, we’ll talk about her path, the inspiration behind her artworks, and what it means to carry such a famous name while forging a unique identity as an artist.

And as a special treat, Lina and her family have generously prepared a giveaway for our listeners, which I’ll reveal at the end of the episode - so stay tuned!

Follow for more on Instagram:

@linaprokofieff

@piano_fortissimo_podcast

@alexandrasilocea

My next guest on the Piano Fortissimo Podcast is the fantastic Eren Yağmuroğlu, member of esteemed institutions like the Recording Academy Grammy Awards since 2015 and the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences since 2020 and strategic advisor known for his contributions in creating, leading and driving organizations, brands and societies. He has made significant contributions to renowned artists and organizations, including Fazıl Say as community and productions manager, and StillArt as brand manager.

He actively participates in the Harvard Business School Online Istanbul Chapter and has been contributing to the Harvard Business School Online Community since 2016. Yagmuroglu was a guest lecturer at Columbia University of New York in 2019. Reaching younger audiences by visiting universities around the world as a guest lecturer and providing comprehensive details about his cases.

His creative vision continues to influence organizations and shape meaningful endeavors towards cultural transformation, creating a more open, reflective community culture, as well as transparent governments and businesses.

For me, he is a visionary, a mentor, a driving force on my journey, and a source of support for which I am incredibly grateful.

Episode 13 with wonderful Stage Director Sinéad O'Neill, an authentic conversation on what it means to direct an opera production, on inspiration, motherhood and so much more.

It is also my first guest challenging me with some questions.

Designated Music Director of the Royal Ballet and Opera, Covent Garden London from 2025, Chief Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony & Principal Guest Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic, Jakub Hrůša has been celebrated for his work with some of the most renowned orchestras and institutions worldwide, including Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Concertgebouw, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic and many more.

Grab a cup of your favorite drink and join us on this beautiful, warmhearted and authentic conversation!

Radu Lupu • The Magician, an episode dedicated to Radu on what would have been his 79th birthday, November 30. The impact Radu has had on my trajectory, how we met and what we worked on, all this with excepts from the newly launched book “In Memoriam Radu Lupu” where I had the honor and joy of sharing my memories.

In this relaxed conversation, we discuss his approach to performance, managing pressure, and the art of connecting with audiences. Matthew also shares his passion for mentoring the next generation, along with insights into his latest project, Folkestone on Song. Tune in to discover how and when you can apply to work with Matthew and other esteemed artists.

https://www.soundsfolkestone.co.uk/initiatives/folkestone-on-song/

Welcome to episode 9 of the Piano Fortissimo Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into a topic that resonates with many musicians: handling stress, stage fright, and finding balance in a demanding career. My guest is Mariella Bruckner, an experienced psychotherapist and coach who has worked extensively with artists and performers. She combines her knowledge of life balance and stress management with a unique perspective on the specific challenges that creative professionals face.

Mariella has nearly 20 years of experience teaching at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where she works with students at the Institute for Cultural Management, where we also met and worked with each other a couple of years ago. She also trains groups in social skills and runs her own practice in Vienna’s 9th district. She’s passionate about her work and finds great meaning in helping people manage life's challenges and enjoy it more fully. You can learn more about her, her background, and her services on her website:

www.mariellabruckner.info

I'm so excited to welcome Mariella to the podcast today. We're going to explore the pressures musicians face, and she'll offer insights into managing performance anxiety and maintaining a healthy balance in such a demanding profession.

Let’s get started!

In this episode, I’ll be joined by Peter Salisbury, a master concert piano technician with nearly five decades of expertise. Starting his career as an apprentice at Steinway London at just 16, Peter worked alongside technicians responsible for the pianos of legendary figures like Claudio Arrau and Vladimir Horowitz. His career spans prestigious companies like Bösendorfer and Fazioli, and for nearly 30 years, he’s served as Senior Concert Piano Technician at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

In this episode, we’ll delve into Peter’s incredible journey, his mastery of piano sound, and his reflections on working with some of the world’s greatest pianists. Peter also extends an invite to YOU so don't miss this inspiring conversation!

www.grandpianoservicing.co.uk