Piano Puzzler

436
Music #199Music Interviews #35

Every week on Performance Today™, Bruce Adolphe re-writes a familiar tune in the style of a classical composer. We get one of our listeners on the phone, and our caller listens to Bruce play his Piano Puzzler™. They then try to do two things: name the hidden tune, and name the composer whose style Bruce is mimicking. From American Public Media.

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Recent Reviews
  • evanfrolov
    The best show
    An absolute gem. Interesting, unique, challenging, and fun. Glad this exists in the world
  • anonymousmahler
    Exceptional
    A valuable resource showing off the power of music and the unending variety that can be brought to it. It is an unending theme and variations. Exceptional.
  • tara starlong
    Sweet podcast
    I like the piano music It was cool
  • Zvbxrpl799
    Update?
    I love this podcast and the talented Bruce and would love to see him branch out with a wider range of some newer pieces that folks under 40 might know. The same handful of American Songbook pieces frequently surface - makes it easier to guess but would love to see what Bruce could do with something from the 21st c!
  • Tomatthinking
    Every show is great!
    Creativity and super-vibes.
  • pigslauterer
    Great to listen every week
    Great to listen to. Enjoyable
  • 2011370Z
    Excellent PodCast
    I’ve learned so much about different composers and their styles that set them apart from other composers. Also I’m getting to know composers who I’ve never heard. The hidden tunes are just plain fun-and frustrating when they are right there on the tip of the tongue but you really have to use your noggen to identify it. I listen to weekly episodes while walking my dog in the morning. She looks at me strangely when I get a Piano Puzzler correct and let out a very happy “Yes”!
  • Barbnussb
    What a great celebration!
    I learned a lot in this piano puzzler. It was so interesting. I always listen to piano puzzler podcasts on Sundays in the morning. That’s a great way to start a Sunday and this episode brought it all together for me. Thank you to both of you and everyone else who makes that happen.
  • BirdGMom
    Congratulations!
    I loved your 20th Anniversary episode. Here’s to 20 more years of Piano Puzzler 🥂
  • Bedduzza
    what a happy new discovery!
    The Piano Puzzler has been going on for years, and I did not know about it. I wish I could find every single episode! I enjoy the new compositions from Bruce each week. I enjoy finding the tune, which is easy for me, and guessing the composer, which is not so easy. even for those not trained in music, but who love classical music, this is a winner.
  • QuakerToasts
    Love it!!!! 🙌
    My kiddo and I thoroughly enjoy listening to this show and try to guess the composer and piece. Bruce Adolphe is so talented! 🎹 I wish the pieces were available to listen to on their own, their marvelous!
  • jilliana60
    Some of the tunes are pretty obscure
    I love this show except when the melody is unrecognizable because it’s from something that may once have been popular but is now obscure. I’m hardly a youngster but have never heard or seen a Cole Porter musical.
  • X🐺X
    My very favorite podcast
    Fred and Bruce are the best
  • maesoren
    Eagerly awaiting Season 31
    This production deserves to be around for as long as Jeopardy. It is fun, challenging, delightful, and leaves me understanding more and listening more thoughtfully. Never stop!
  • CosmoBrown11
    So challenging, fun and interesting!
    This is a great way to really learn how to listen with sensitivity and removing your pre-conceptions. I also learn a lot about techniques and styles of great composers. The host is so friendly and warm and Bruce’s compositions stand o. Their own ad masterpieces! On critique: things are getting predictable: lots of Beetles, Gershwin, folk songs, etc. please try mixing it up and maybe bringing in some modern pop from the 70s, 80s, 90, onto today to draw in a younger audience.
  • JWeissman
    Best musical game going
    These are great fun. Bruce Adolphe has the musical-combinatorial wit of Peter Schickele and the teacher soul of Karl Haas. The puzzlers are just challenging enough and Bruce is great at helping listeners figure it out. It helps if you know musicals and the Great American Songbook and the Beatles. Also children’s songs and, once in a while, vintage TV show themes.
  • Woodwardia
    Update
    Please consider adding more songs outside of Beatles, Great American Songbook, and Broadway classics to make this more accessible and rewarding to younger listeners. Love the challenge each week!
  • C. Light
    Performance Today 💖
    I love this show and Fred Child from long ago in NPR. Thank you for being there again. 💖🙏🏻🍀
  • Spudmaestro
    Encore!
    This is an incredible show! I’ve been listening for years and there is no other show even remotely like this. The Piano Puzzler is simultaneously fun and jaw dropping as the tremendous genius of Bruce Adolph is on display through his witty, tantalizing and virtuosic piano creations.
  • DTB19XX
    More Faure!!
    Please please please play more Gabriel Faure!!
  • hwnd fan
    A fantastic show!
    I have been listening to this podcast for years and years and I absolutely love it! Bruce and Fred are brilliant and it will add so much fun to your mid-week. Hats off to them both - a true five-star show. Ben
  • darbymonster
    Delightful!
    I jealously guard my Saturday mornings so that I can breakfast, listen to WXXI-FM in Rochester, NY and enjoy attempting to solve the Piano Puzzler
  • PJDJ2007
    A complete joy!!!
    Do at with the family at the holidays - yep - get everyone involved - a sure fire way to have fun as a group and listen to something beautiful at the same time.
  • jmmbass
    A music gem
    This podcast is a musical treat for the ear and mind. It’s a gem- my favorite short podcast. Sometimes they’re so clever you can’t help going back to listen to them again for the craftsmanship of Bruce’s piano miniatures. Bravo!
  • srsenturk
    Fun and educational!
    So enjoyable to listen to these short puzzlers. I love the efficiency of the little program and the satisfying regularity of the formula. They’re such nice hosts. I learn a lot—and painlessly too!
  • TigerMax38
    The meaning of Life
    Music is sine qua non for many of us. Then, an added level, to tease the brain in such a rewarding manner. Pure genius. Much obliged.
  • Winn331718
    Big Fan of the (New?!?!?) Format
    This past week's Puzzler included a selection from a Beethoven Sonata and for the first time since I've been listening, the Podcast included the Sonata it was quoting from in its entirety after the game. I hope this was not just a technical error and represents a change in format for the show as this would be a welcome edition to any already excellent show!
  • CoastalSatyr
    100% Success Rate
    And by that I mean, I guess the hidden song 80% of the time and the mimicked composer about 20% of the time. ;) This is a seriously wonderful podcast!
  • Shoot a Touchdown
    Music fans will love Piano Puzzler
    The Piano Puzzler is fun for everyone. Bruce and Fred are great. They keep the Puzzler challenging, but they aren't elitists. This isn't something only music scholars will enjoy. My mother has studied and played the piano almost her entire life. I love music, but can't play an instrument. And we both like the Piano Puzzler.
  • Roemermp11
    Educational Tool
    Superb educational tool. I teach a music appreciation class and this really demonstrates how melodies can be harmonized and modified. Excellent program!
  • ArtKarlG
    Reminiscent of the late Karl Haas
    I enjoy the show immensely. It is reminiscent of the late Karl Haas's syndicated radio show " Adventures in Good Music" in that it employs, education, mystery, wit, and entertainment.
  • hautbois10
    I love these
    I look forward to these every week. My roommates and I will sit around and do them together. We are music majors so this is great for our ears.
  • AmyinMIchigan
    New Puzzlers soon!
    I just got an email from Bruce Adolphe saying that he's going to Minnesota in late October to record 16 new puzzlers. So, very soon we should all have 16 weeks of fresh Piano Puzzlers. Great news!
  • winter.jonathon
    Great podcast
    I really love this podcast. It's very entertaining and a challenge for anyone who loves puzzles, especially ones like these. However, it comes and goes. One week it's here, the next it's not...what's up with that?
  • 88keykat
    Excellent Piano Puzzlers!
    Enjoyable and a pleasure to listen to. Completely worth every minute of your time.
  • davidHempling
    Hooray!! Piano Puzzler Is Back!!!
    When this pod-cast's feed from NPR stopped last year, I thought we'd never see it again! Three Cheers for Bruce Adolphe's triumphant return!!!
  • crazyviolinist
    Best Ever!
    I am an accomplished pianist, but this Puzzler always seems to get me. It's always a fun challenge to solve this problem!
  • Mr. Grumpy
    Where have all the puzzlers gone?
    This program is excellent. My teenage son and I have listened to these on the way into school and really enjoy the challenge! They get the mind going in the AM. But there haven't been any in quite awhile! PLEASE, PLEASE bring these back! Some of us can't listen when they are broadcasted.
  • HammerVln
    Best Podcast!
    This podcast always brightens my week. Each time I listen, I learn something new--it's like I am back in my college music history class all over again. Listen! I promise you won't regret it!
  • jcarol
    A Great Puzzle for the Ears
    I love this podcast-- it's a mix of amazing talent and fun twists on something familiar. I find it hard to catch this segment on my local NPR, so I was thrilled to find it on a podcast. I hope it will return soon! It was one of my favorites! Great job! Hope to hear you again soon!
  • Sagra
    WHERE ARE YOU?
    This is one of my favorite podcasts! Where has it gone?
  • Ilovetrash
    A Wonderful Musical Game
    Can you name the popular song and the composer in whose style it has been rewritten? Sometimes I have to guess but I always love the music. I wish I had some more piano puzzlers!
  • lenhardt
    piano puzzler
    This is my favorite podcast. Music, suspense, brain game, challenge, early morning wake-up--it has it all and more. The hosts are easy to listen to and never embarrass the players--I'd even give it a try. Where are they? There must be many music lovers who cherish this brief respite from daily grind. Where is it? I would do anything to persuade my local music station, MPR, to subscribe to it.
  • reverendray
    Love it! Miss it....
    Its great. Take your musical knowledge to another level in a fun and friendly way. And I don't even mind missing it...here and there :) Bruce, Your work is amazing! We miss the podcast!!!
  • mpryan
    Where are they???
    I really enjoy this podcast! Why haven't we seen any lately?
  • Secret Shame
    A bit of fun-If a bit on the pretentious side
    If you were a "Name That Tune" nut like yours truly you might really like this quiz...It's a bit hoity-toity but I believe that I am living proof that you don't have to possess a great breadth of knowledge to enjoy it.
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