Steven Spooner on the Piece Liszt Refused to Teach, the Birth of the Recital, and Recording One of the Largest Liszt Albums Ever Made Artwork

Practice Room Breaks

Practice Room Breaks is a new podcast from IMSLP, the largest online resource for public domain music scores. On each episode, host and classical pianist Natalie Vargas-Nedvetsky invites internationally acclaimed musicians to share stories, philosophies, and insights into the world of classical music through their eyes.

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Practice Room Breaks

Steven Spooner on the Piece Liszt Refused to Teach, the Birth of the Recital, and Recording One of the Largest Liszt Albums Ever Made

July 10, 2025 • IMSLP • Season 1 • Episode 1

What did Liszt refuse to teach - and why? In the debut episode of Practice Room Breaks - the podcast, host and classical pianist Natalie Vargas Nedvetsky sits down with internationally acclaimed pianist, pedagogue and scholar Steven Spooner to uncover the surprising origins of the recital and masterclass, share untold stories from Liszt’s life and the era in which he lived, and hear excerpts from Spooner’s monumental 10-volume Liszt album — consisting of over 300 works and 35 hours of music.

Packed with jaw-dropping performances and deep insights on artistry, risk, and being a whole musician, this episode offers inspiration and wisdom for performers, students, and music lovers alike.

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