... and Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto!

What makes this concerto so difficult? Do you really have to be "mad" to play it? Listen to the episode to learn about my favorite parts of this monumental piece of music, particularly in relation to the 1996 film "Shine" (starring Geoffrey Rush, Lynn Redgrave, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and Noah Taylor). I also explore some fascinating connections between the life of Sergei Rachmaninov and David Helfgott. This film is a beautiful and inspiring story that features piano music front and center, and completely changed the way I listen to Rachmaninov's music. If you love movies about young prodigies dealing with personal and mental challenges (in a similar vein to "The Queen's Gambit" or "A Beautiful Mind"), you will love "Shine". 

Links:

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... and Chopin's Études!

In my very first episode, let me take you on a journey to 1830s France, where the romance between Frédéric Chopin and George Sand was born, as portrayed in the 1991 film "Impromptu" (starring Hugh Grant, Judy Davis, Bernadette Peters, Emma Thompson, and Mandy Patinkin). This film is filled with scandal, romance, and some farce, while still conveying the emotional depth and beauty of Chopin's music. Stick around until the end to learn about my favorite Chopin études and the historical background surrounding them. If you haven't watched the film already, it's available for free on Tubi-- you'll soon find out why it's one of my all-time favorite piano movies!

Tracklist: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impromptu_(1991_film)#Music

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a rating on Apple Podcasts and give me a follow so you don't miss any future episodes. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did making it. Thank you!!

Email: [email protected]