Israeli-American pianist Yael Weiss is the curator and performer of 32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World. Through this commissioning and performance project, Ms. Weiss has commissioned new works from 32 countries of conflict and secluded areas spanning the globe. Our conversation about the project was fascinating on its own, but Yael’s purpose and inspiration goes much deeper than a desire to share great music. Indeed, she is connecting communities and cultures all over the globe. This is an absolutely magnificent conversation that I am so proud to shre with you here. A captivating presence on the concert scene, award-winning Israeli-American pianist Yael Weiss has appeared internationally in major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall and Moscow’s Bolshoi Hall. Following a recent recital, the Washington Post portrayed her as “a pianist who delves deeply and tellingly into that cloudy area where fantasy morphs into improvisation, inventiveness being common to both.”  Ms. Weiss has won numerous honors, including the Naumburg, Kousciuszko Foundation and Presser prizes. She has presented master classes at top institutions worldwide and served on the faculties of Indiana University and UCSB. Her own teachers included Richard Goode and Leon Fleisher. Music:Unheard Voices (Hindi Naririnig na mga Tinig) by Sidney Marquez Boquiren (Philippines) – Yael WeissNo More Moonlight Over Jakarta by Ananda Sukarlan (Indonesia) – Yael Weiss Follow Yael Weiss on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Yael!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album!Here are some other places you can find the book.Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here.Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month!