Spirit, Body, and Soul: Pianist & Composer David Berry on Virtuosity, Creativity, and Artistic Identity

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! (rss.com/podcasts/the-piano-pod/voicemail)
How do we bring our full musical selves to the stage?
In this Season 6 finale of The Piano Pod, concert pianist, composer, arranger, educator, and artistic leader David Berry (davidberrypiano.com) joins host Yukimi Song for a rich and deeply personal conversation on virtuosity, improvisation, composition, contemporary music, artistic identity, and the connections that unite seemingly different musical worlds.
A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and The Juilliard School, Berry has built a multifaceted career as a performer, educator, curator, and advocate. Equally at home with Liszt, George Walker, James P. Johnson, contemporary composers, and his own original works, he embodies the spirit of this season’s theme: Creativity and Connection.
Throughout the episode, listeners will hear excerpts from Berry’s own compositions and arrangements, including Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho and Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.
Featured Music & Recordings
• Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho (youtu.be/oQ_ymYIAjww?si=lI4s9cfWWcYQXGGx)
• Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (youtu.be/6cIV5A0NHFs?si=mQ6bZ18V4mt1T-Us)
• Danse Andalouse by Joaquín Nin (youtu.be/UwYk-eWvjAA?si=uOp80M1yQNUjuLv9)
• James P. Johnson: Yamekraw – A Negro Rhapsody (youtu.be/ydKkQoyO-KM?si=HY31psUAZlx39GFZ)
• Adolphus Hailstork: Chamber Works Featuring the premiere recording of Hailstork’s Piano Quintet Detroit with The Harlem Chamber Players. Spotify (open.spotify.com/album/4FMEiEHgNksIcg2DStW1Uw?…)
• Tiny Glass Tavern — Let Us Dance, Let Us Sing Featuring David Berry’s performance of Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho. Spotify (open.spotify.com/track/0zRdFzpvWgYgbn6oJAoZ7l?…)
Publications
• Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho (sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/516826/Product.a…) for solo piano
• David Berry, Since Jesus Came Into My Heart: 10 Stylish Arrangements for Solo Piano (lorenz.com/shop/keyboard/piano-solo/since-jesu…)Lillenas Publishing Company, 2024
David Berry
• Website (davidberrypiano.com)
• Facebook (facebook.com/davidedwardberry3)
The Piano Pod
• Become a VIP Member / Unlock Exclusive Content on Substack (thepianopod.substack.com)
• Season 6 Piano Music Playlist (youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeBrJAY2RQ_uqBAHXTk…)
• Nominate Guests for Season 7: Culture and Courage HERE (forms.gle/NPxggt25PU2CaKFD9)
#DavidBerry #ThePianoPod #PianoPodcast #ClassicalMusic