If you are a classical pianist, then you will know who he is.That's right. Ben Laude, host of Chopin Talk at the Olympics/World Cup of Piano, the 2025 International Chopin Competition, joins the show!Join Amos Vang as he and Ben reminisce on Ben's career, journey through academia, and journey to becoming one of the most recognizable online personalities in the YouTube piano space.More importantly, Amos and Ben discuss various ideas and concepts for the future of classical piano competitions and careers that you'll hear for the first time right here!

Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Other music by Amos Vang

#benlaude #chopin #chopincompetition #chopinpiano #cliburn #vancliburn #fialkowska #piano #rubinstein #fialkowska -- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction3:04 – What inspired Ben Laude to pursue piano?4:53 – What was the classical music culture like in Ben Laude’s community back in the day?8:40 – Ben Laude almost LOST his passion for classical music at a young age?! The Internet saved it!10:56 – What were the greatest challenges that Ben Laude faced when learning piano early on?15:45 – Practice makes…INJURIES?!17:23 – Chopin on practicing piano20:00 – Most International Chopin Competition contestants may have grown up in musical families or well-structured state music systems22:28 – Nicolas Namoradze’s research on music performance and sports performance24:37 – Audition success, figure skating, gymnastics, and piano performance31:46 – Lebron James looks at basketball differently. Is that how Martha Argerich looks at piano differently?33:21 – Eye movement in sports and in music36:22 – The top Chopin Competition prize winners don’t look the same, but they LOOK the same!38:38 – What inspired Ben Laude to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at Rice University?44:27 – Somehow, Canada has been producing more great pianists per capita compared to the U.S. Yet, few Canadians know about these great Canadian pianists!45:27 – Canada and the USSR are the only 2 countries that have at least 3 medallists in consecutive International Chopin Competition editions!55:11 – The classical musical scene is still very insular. That contributed to Ben Laude’s YouTube rise!57:50 – Amos Vang describes using sports terminology to promote classical music!1:05:10 – Ben Laude analyzes and critiques the current classical music career landscape1:10:28 – Can the sports exhibition match model become a good inspiration for classical music showcases?1:13:25 – Amos Vang was an announcer of the 2016 NBA All-Star Challenge in Canada. Dunk contests and classical music showcases?1:19:17 – Sports viewed negatively in the classical music world?1:24:37 – HERE’S A FIRST: Ben Laude proposes his OWN PIANO COMPETITION FORMAT!1:28:51 – How do you tell a story, in classical music?1:39:37 – Visual storytelling in classical piano competitions1:43:24 – Amos Vang, as a classical pianist AND sports announcer, explains how Ben Laude’s visual storytelling ideas are ALREADY DONE IN SPORTS BROADCASTING!1:56:10 – What is musicality to Ben Laude?2:02:13 – Who is Fryderyk Chopin to Ben Laude?2:17:22 – Classical music may actually have a broader, more diverse emotional spectrum than most genres2:23:38 – It’s ok to miss out on things. Embrace the JOY of missing out (JOMO)!2:27:23 – What are the most rewarding things that Ben Laude has experienced in his career?2:29:56 – Ben Laude addresses his fans and gives some professional advice on classical music careers!

She is the first Canadian in 25 years to win 1stprize at the Honens International Piano Competition!

This is the Legend of Elisabeth Pion.

Join Amos Vang as he features the career of Elisabeth Pion,from studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (the same school thattrained other talents such as Daniel Craig, Hayley Atwell, Ewan MacGregor, andDamian Lewis) to performing piano and to winning the Canadian Grand Slam ofPiano.

Elisabeth’s website: https://www.elisabethpion.com/

#honens#cliburn #elisabethpion #angelahewitt #verbier #chopincompetition#classicfm #neuroscience #piano #janinafialkowska #classicalmusic

Tomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Other musicby Amos Vang

Dirk Ingo Franke, “Guildhall School of Music and Drama”,licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

-- CHAPTERS --

0:00 – Introduction

2:35 – What inspired Elisabeth Pion to pursue piano?

8:18 – Elisabeth Pion describes Quebec’s music culture!

13:23 – Who is Elisabeth Pion’s greatest philosophical andliterary influences?

19:34 – What were the most important lessons that ElisabethPion learned from her early childhood?

24:39 – Elisabeth Pion studied at the Guildhall School ofMusic Drama!

31:33 – Amos Vang explains the Frutiger Aero aesthetic!

34:29 – Improvisation is terrifying for many classicalmusicians?!

36:44 – What were the most surprising musical schools ofthought that Elisabeth Pion has learned?

41:43 – What inspired Elisabeth Pion to “Hone In on Honens”?

45:55 – Elisabeth Pion won 1st prize at Honens!

48:19 – How did Elisabeth Pion prepare for Honens?

55:10 – How did Elisabeth Pion interpret Fracture by ImanHabibi?

58:52 – What are Elisabeth Pion’s favourite moments atHonens?

1:00:51 – What is musicality to Elisabeth Pion?

1:06:40 – What is the Complete Artist to Elisabeth Pion?

1:11:03 – What are the greatest misconceptions of classicalmusic that Elisabeth Pion has faced?

1:22:38 – What are the most rewarding aspects of ElisabethPion’s career?

1:31:15 – Elisabeth Pion addresses her fans!

He was a finalist at the Olympics of Piano, the International Chopin Competition. He also won the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition. He also won major awards at the Leeds International Piano Competition and the Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition. He is also a Visiting Artist at MIT. And now, he is Artistic Director of a new Grand Slam of piano, the Toronto International Piano Competition, which takes place on August 14 to 16, 2026. Join Amos Vang as he features the career of Aljosa Jurinic. Amos and Aljosa discuss Aljosa’s Road to Warsaw, development as a pianist, and the most important lessons that Aljosa has learned from each milestone in his career. More importantly, Amos and Aljosa discuss the Toronto International Piano Competition, including its competition structure, prizes, career potential, and repertoire. Amos Vang and “This is the Legend Of…” are proud to be collaborating with Aljosa and with the Toronto International Piano Competition in promoting and featuring the world’s best pianists in Canada’s largest city. Aljosa’s Instagram and YouTube: @aljosapiano Aljosa’s website: https://www.aljosa-jurinic.com/ Toronto International Piano Competition: https://www.torontopiano.org/ Toronto International Piano Competition’s Instagram: @torontopianocompTomorrow by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au Other music by Amos Vang

-- CHAPTERS --0:00 – Introduction2:50 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to pursue piano?4:01 – What was the music culture in Croatia during Aljosa Jurinic’s early days?6:17 – What were the most impactful early musical influences in Aljosa Jurinic’s life?7:31 – What were the most important lessons that Aljosa Jurinic learned in his early life?10:47 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to pursue a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music at the University of Zagreb?13:06 – How was the transition from pre-university to post-university in terms of Aljosa Jurinic’s music studies?14:29 – What were the greatest challenges that Aljosa Jurinic faced learning music during his university years?17:26 – Canada, especially Ontario, has faced devastating funding cuts to music education in public school systems. This affects music culture in Canada.19:46 – Building an audience20:57 – Almost everyone in Poland knows who Chopin is!21:34 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to compete in the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition?24:58 – Aljosa Jurinic WON the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition!27:49 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to embark on the Road to Warsaw?37:31 – What were the most important lessons that Aljosa Jurinic leaned from the International Chopin Competition?43:21 – What inspired Aljosa Jurinic to compete at the Queen Elisabeth International Piano Competition and the Leeds International Piano Competition? What were the most important lessons that Aljosa Jurinic learned from these competitions?49:31 – What is musicality to Aljosa Jurinic?53:07 – Who is Fryderyk Chopin to Aljosa Jurinic?55:54 – TORONTO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION, why Toronto?1:03:00 – How strong is Toronto’s potential for the growth of a classical music audience?1:10:18 – How does the Alink-Argerich Foundation support the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:12:16 – COMPETITION STRUCTURE1:14:25 – Why does Fryderyk Chopin have a special designation at the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:15:24 – JURY1:20:15 – What makes the Toronto International Piano Competition unique from other major piano competitions?1:23:23 – CATEGORIES1:25:24 – What if there is a tie at the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:30:45 – Where can people watch, listen to, and follow the Toronto International Piano Competition?1:32:11 – Aljosa Jurinic addresses his fans and gives advice on the pursuit of a classical piano career!