Teaching at Michigan State University’s College of Music in East Lansing is an incredible pianist and teacher with a sharp mind and an infectiously positive outlook, Derek Polischuk. This San Diego born graduate of the University of Southern California has a skillful and tasteful touch on the piano, playing with warmth, restraint, and precision all at once. I met Derek and became friends with him over a decade ago at USC.

In March I had the pleasure of an interview with him. It was long enough to divide into two parts. This is the second part. It’s fairly short and focuses exclusively on Shostakovich’s Concerto in C minor for Piano, Trumpet, and String Orchestra, Op. 35. As with the Mozart concerto in the first segment of our interview, here Derek offers a few thoughts on how to listen to this quirky and challenging piece of twentieth century orchestral music.

Performing with Derek is trumpet player Richard Illman and the Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra. You can find the recording of his performance of this symphony in four movements here.

Here’s the second and final part of our interview: Part 2 of the interview.

Before you click, consider listening to part one of the interview, and his performance of the Mozart D Minor Concerto, both posted several days ago. For more about Derek, visit his online staff profile at MSU. If you’re into teaching or learning piano, follow his Piano Pedagogy Blog.