In this episode of The Piano Pod, concert pianist Han Chen joins TPP for a deep conversation about virtuosity, vision, and what it means to build something meaningful in today’s classical music landscape.
Han Chen is a GRAMMY Award–nominated pianist known for his fearless approach to some of the most demanding repertoire in the piano canon — from György Ligeti’s Complete Piano Études to Beethoven’s Hammerklavier. His recent recording of Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with conductor John Jeter and the Malmö Opera Orchestra has brought renewed attention to one of the most compelling American concertos of the 20th century.
Beyond performance, Han is also a curator and creator. His large-scale project Infinite Staircase pairs all 18 Ligeti Études with 18 newly commissioned works by living composers, expanding the repertoire while rethinking what a piano program can be.
This episode offers a rare look into the mind of a pianist who is not only performing at the highest level, but actively shaping the future of classical music.
In This Episode, We Talk About
- Florence Price and the legacy of her Piano Concerto
- Ligeti’s Complete Piano Études and technical/interpretive challenges
- Infinite Staircase — a 36-work project pairing Ligeti with new commissions
- Creative programming as artistic identity
- Commissioning new music and working with living composers
- Juilliard training and mentorship under Yoheved Kaplinsky
- Expanding the role of the pianist in today’s classical music world
Learn More About Han Chen
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