Season 5 Episode 14: Mastering Musical Heritage feat. Jose Ramos Santana, Steinway Artist

In this episode of The Piano Pod, Mastering Musical Heritage—Exploring Spanish Piano Traditions and Embracing Puerto Rican Identity, I had the privilege of speaking with José Ramos Santana, a Steinway Artist and one of the foremost interpreters of Spanish and Latin American piano music. This conversation is a deep dive into the passion, heritage, and evolution of Spanish and Caribbean piano traditions.From the expressive genius of Albéniz, Granados, and de Falla to the rich cultural legacy of Puerto Rican composers, José shares his insights on interpreting this repertoire with authenticity and heart. He reflects on his journey from Puerto Rico to Juilliard, the mentorship of Alicia de Larrocha, and his ongoing mission to mentor the next generation of pianists through meaningful cultural connection.🎶 In this episode, we discuss: The influence of ethnomusicologist Felipe Pedrell on Spanish composers The improvisational nature of Granados’ music José’s reflections on Alicia de Larrocha’s legacy The 10th anniversary of the Puerto Rico International Piano Festival Latin American composers like Manuel Tavares, Ignacio Cervantes, and Roberto SierraThe importance of embracing cultural identity in piano educationWhether you are a pianist, music educator, or classical music enthusiast, José’s wisdom and passion will inspire and enlighten you.👉👉 Learn more about this episode HERE. 👈👈 ✨ VIP Substack subscribers get early access to the audio version: subscribe here.🗣️ I’d love to hear your thoughts. How has Spanish or Latin American music influenced your musical path? Leave a comment and join the conversation![Jose Ramos Santana]WebsitePuerto Rico International Music FestivalWatch José Ramos Santana perform Evocación from Iberia, Book 1 by Isaac Albéniz[The Piano Pod]Support Our Work: Make a donationSubscribe to our Sounds of Inspiration (all the music and piano pieces mentioned during our conversations)Latest NewsWebsiteInstagram

Om Podcasten

...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♥️🎹