For Episode 351 of the ASCAP Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Award winning Between the Keys, the Classical Network’s Artist-in-Residence Jed Distler welcomes pianist and writer Donald Isler.
Mr. Isler’s new book Afterthoughts of a Pianist/Teacher - A Collection of Essays and Interviews was recently published by iUniverse. It encompasses numerous pieces about pedagogy, repertoire, performance issues and piano personalities, as well as interviews with emerging and established writers, pianists, broadcasters and teachers.
Among Mr. Isler’s interview subjects include Robert Sherman, Marjan Kiepura, Jerome Rose, Jerome Lowenthal, former Between the Keys guests Lisa Yui, Ursula Oppens, Tim Page, David Dubal, and Jed Distler himself. There’s even an interview with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, “but about music, not sex,” as Mr. Isler hastens to emphasize.
Mr. Isler last appeared on Between the Keys in January 2017 for a program to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the death of pianist Bruce Hungerford. “It’s good to bring Don back on a happier note,” says DIstler. “Don’s book truly captures the essence of our piano community, and how its many luminaries interact with and influence one another. That’s what I’ve tried to do on Between the Keys since we started the show in March 2015.”
Tune in to Between the Keys this Tuesday night March 15th at 10, and for the rebroadcast Wednesday March 16th at noon, exclusively on The Classical Network and WWFM.org.