Season 5 Episode 12: "Blurred Boundaries: Classical Meets Jazz" feat. Ophelia Gordon, Concert Pianist & Recording Artist

📣 This Episode is Brought to You by the New York Piano Group. Find Your Piano Community with the New York Piano Group! 🔗 Learn more 🎶 Can a composer truly belong to both the jazz and classical worlds?In this episode of The Piano Pod, we sit down with concert pianist and recording artist Ophelia Gordon, a leading interpreter of Nikolai Kapustin’s music. Known for her seamless fusion of classical technique with jazz freedom, Ophelia shares her journey of trusting her instincts, finding her voice, and redefining musical boundaries.Topics We Explore:Trusting Yourself – The journey of self-discovery and staying authentic in a field rooted in tradition. Kapustin’s Legacy – The ongoing debate: Is his music jazz or classical? Improvisation & Freedom – How Ophelia brings spontaneity into structured compositions. Musical Identity & Influence – Growing up in a jazz-loving household, training in classical music, and even studying at the BRIT school. Bridging Two Musical Worlds – Creating jazz-style lead sheets for Kapustin’s etudes, inviting improvisation into his structured compositions. Finding Kapustin in a Time of Crisis – How discovering his music became pivotal in her life. Upcoming Album: Between the Lines – Behind the scenes of her all-Kapustin recording, set for release in Fall 2025.Watch exclusive excerpts of Ophelia’s performances of Kapustin’s works throughout the episode!What do you think—is Kapustin more jazz or classical? How do you define authenticity as a musician? Drop your thoughts in the comments![Ophelia Gordon - Pianist, Recording Artist, and Leading Kapustin Interpreter] 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @OpheliaGordon 🌍 Website: OpheliaGordon.com[The Piano Pod]💖 Subscribe for free or unlock exclusive materials with a paid subscription.🎗️ Support Our Work: Make a donation🎵 Subscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration (all the music and piano pieces mentioned during our conversations)Stay Connected:Latest News: https://linktr.ee/thepianopod Website: https://thepianopod.com 📱 Instagram: @thepianopod Facebook: https://facebook.com/ThePianoPodNYC TikTok: @thepianopod #Kapustin #Jazz #ClassicalPiano #Pianists #ClassicalPianists #JazzPianist #MusicIdentity #Improvisation

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...where tradition meets innovation. Together, we bring PIANO into the FUTURE.a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano musicHey, 🎹 enthusiasts out there! My name is Yukimi, a classical pianist and educator from NYC and executive producer of The Piano Pod. The Piano Pod🎙 is a one-of-a-kind podcast that delves deep into the fascinating world of classical music, with a specific focus on the 🎹 piano. In a biweekly format, the show explores intriguing discussions with guests breaking exciting new ground in the classical music industry. The Piano Pod aims to nurture a thriving community that embraces innovative approaches to ensure classical music's relevance and vitality in today's dynamic landscape."How can I present the beautiful tradition of classical music to the 21st-century audience in a fun, contemporary, and engaging way?"When I started building a piano studio in the trendy neighborhood of Downtown Manhattan in 2007 while in the NYU graduate program in piano studies, I began to ponder this question. I realized the stark difference in expectations toward classical music and music education between music professionals and the general public. Then, one of the NYU music department's professors suggested I start a podcast: the platform would allow classical musicians to address this disparity and spark conversations about audience engagement.Finally, fast forward to 10+ years later, The Piano Pod was born in the summer of 2020. Since then, I have had the privilege of interviewing A-listers in the classical music industry: international concert pianists, composers, arrangers, digital streamers/influencers, music educators, entrepreneurs, neurodiverse specialists, and performance psychologists.Through fascinating conversations, we have explored how classical music should continue to evolve to remain relevant to our lifestyle, society, and culture. Over the past three seasons, The Piano Pod has achieved remarkable success by reaching faithful listeners on audio platforms and viewers via YouTube.As the show is celebrating the past season's achievements and gearing toward the new season in the fall, my mission as the Executive Producer is crystal clear: to provide a platform for classical musicians and educators to reflect and discuss ways to keep our industry robust and meaningful in this ever-changing world and move it forward in the post-pandemic era.🔗Follow TPP on social media accounts to get the latest news about 🎹.Thanks for listening♥️🎹