Open Lid Podcast
Introducing Open Lid—a podcast to bring you closer to the music
Whether you’re a lifelong classical music lover or just discovering the magic of the piano, Open Lid invites you to hear from Honens Laureates, competitors, jurors, and guest artists, paired with insightful conversations revealing the stories, inspirations, and artistry behind the music.
In anticipation of the 2025 Honens International Piano Competition, each episode will take you behind the scenes with exclusive interviews and thought-provoking discussions. Hosted by Canadian pianist Philip Chiu, you’ll meet the competitors, hear from the jury and collaborating artists, and reconnect with past Honens Laureates—all sharing their passion for piano music in a fresh and exciting way.
Tune in and open the lid to a world of extraordinary music and conversation!
EPISODES
EPISODE ONE:
Discover the Complete Artist
Get an insider’s view of the 2025 Honens International Piano Competition. Host Philip Chiu speaks with Honens Artistic Director Jon Kimura Parker, President & CEO Amanda Smith, and Artistic Planning Director Catherine McClelland about what makes Honens unique and what’s new this year. Then, meet two of the Semifinalists—Derek Wang and Carter Johnson—as they share their musical journeys and what inspires their artistry.
EPISODE TWO:Foster the Complete Artist
World-renowned pianist and composer Sir Stephen Hough joins us to discuss his role as Mentor for the 2025 Honens Competition and his upcoming Bison Noir program — a late-night program of pianistic meditations. We also meet Semifinalists Yuanfan Yang and Ádám Balogh, two rising stars whose passion and originality are shaping the future of piano performance.
EPISODE THREE:
Explore the Complete Artist
Collaboration takes centre stage in this episode. Cellist Rachel Mercer reflects on the deep listening and trust that define chamber music, while the Joshua McClendon, cellist of the Isidore String Quartet, shares how their quartet approaches the art of performing with pianists. Plus, hear from Semifinalists Elia Cecino and Élisabeth Pion, who reveal what it means to connect—and communicate—through music.
EPISODE FOUR:
Nourish the Complete Artist
Composer Iman Habibi joins the podcast to explore his newly commissioned work for the 2025 Honens Competition and the creative process behind it. We also hear from Honens sponsor Jeremy Clark, whose support helps bring music to life, and from Semifinalists Chaeyoung Park and Anastasia Vorotnaya, two emerging artists forging their own creative paths.
EPISODE FIVE:
Experience the Complete Artist
Past Honens Prize Laureates Illia Ovcharenko (2022) and Nicolas Namoradze (2018) reunite to share insights on life after Honens and what it means to grow as a “Complete Artist.” They reflect on their journeys and offer advice to this year’s competitors. The episode also features profiles of Semifinalists Giorgio Lazzari and Sandro Nebieridze, promising voices in the next generation of pianists.
Places to Listen
HOSTED BY PHILIP CHIU
Winner of the 2023 JUNO Award for Solo Classical Album of theYear, Canadian pianist Philip Chiu is acclaimed for his pianistic brilliance, vivid storytelling, and a stage presence defined by openness, authenticity, and connection. Described as “a pianist-painter who transforms each musical idea into a beautiful array of colours” (La Presse), he stands among Canada’s leading musicians. A regular guest host on CBC Music, Philip brings his insight and warmth to national audiences, deepening his mission to build bridges through music.
He performs extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, with appearances in major venues across Canada, as well as in France, Japan, and the United States. His chamber partners have included James Ehnes, Emmanuel Pahud, Régis Pasquier, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Bomsori Kim, Johannes Moser, and the New Orford String Quartet; he also shares a longstanding violin-piano duo with Jonathan Crow. He is a veteran touring artist with Prairie Debut, Jeunesses Musicales Canada, and Debut Atlantic, having completed 14 national tours with their support.
His ongoing solo recording trilogy with ATMA Classique (the first of which, Fables, earned the 2023 JUNO Award) features works by Barbara Assiginaak and Alice Ping Yee Ho in dialogue with Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy.
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