Kunz plays Dvořák
And I have at last learned the code for the ha?ek.
Hmm. I have to echo Ken’s concerns about microphone placement. Not that I doubt the excellence of the sound engineers for the webcast, because everything I’ve heard has been well done so far; I just have no idea how much my experience of the chamber pieces via webcast differs from what it might be in the hall, and I suspect I’ll have the same doubts come concerto time. Paging Mike Winter–and anyone else in the hall: tell us about the balance. At a couple of the quieter moments in the second movement, I lost Kunz altogether. You?
I anticipate vigorous debate about this performance, even if I don’t find it remarkable, because Kunz has emerged as one of the more polarizing contestants. (People of blog: please remember to be considerate in comments.) Kunz distinguished himself in the preliminaries at the outset with his highly idiosyncratic Scarlatti, but you don’t get that kind of interpretive latitude in an ensemble setting, especially one with so little preparation. Their ensemble is tight but not notably so, and I don’t hear any particular responsiveness or coloring coming from the piano. Buoyant energy, though, so it’s an animated, driving reading.
(Forgive me the slight edit on that last word. If I had a nickel for every time I wrote the word “performance” over the last ten years or so, I’d be rich enough to buy you all.)
James McQuillen
May 28th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
are the semifinals going to be archived? I missed todays…
May 28th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Care to share the code? I was so excited the day I learned to type them on a Mac (I’m a PC person).
May 28th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Erin: I found them here. Your Czech pals thank you.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Did he just laugh? What was so funny?
May 28th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
God, I never realised how hard playing such easy-sounding music was (because I’ve never listening to it properly before, despite thinking all Bohemian composers could do no wrong in my ears). Now I’m paying close attention I’m at a loss to know how to respond!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I’ve gotta say…this is not sounding good at alll. He sounds unprepared - seems like he barely knows his own part AND even how the whole piece is supposed to sound. He is playing SO under the quartet that it is quite obvious it’s due to lack of preparation, and is faking many passages. Also in terms of communication with the quartet, the lack of his chamber music experience is painfully obvious. Quite a contrast to the incredible chamber music Joyce Yang displayed in 2005 with the same piece.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Chuce,
I’m with you on that. It’s much harder than it seems.
James McQ: I had the same issue this afternoon, listening on the webcast. It seemed as though the piano dominated. I’d like to know how well balanced it is in the hall.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Maybe it was just me, but it appeared at times Kunz was not all that happy with what was going on. Something got lost in parts that last movement for my tastes. I much preferred even the rehearsal with Di Wu to this performance. But he ended with a very nice powerful flourish and the audience is giving him quite the ovations and applause.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
The crowd seems to be loving it, but the second half of the quintet really was not to my taste — it seemed far too elegant for me and I lost any sense of the dances the music was based on.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Well, I didn’t know that Dvorak was such a progressive composer, so many minor seconds all over the piece.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Concerning the concerns expressed about the microphone placement. I could hear the piano fine throughout.
I must have been wrong interpreting how Kunz was feeling about the performance, as he just said he had one of the best experiences in his life in it, if I heard right.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Dave,
Yes, I saw Di Wu’s rehearsal as well and thought it was great. Kunz was good but left me wanting something more. I agree the last movement was good and the end better.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I’m not much of a chamber music critic, but Kunz seemed very casual in this performance, almost as if he were sight-reading, and quite a bit of sloppiness. I watched most of his rehearsal, and it didn’t seem like Kunz didn’t have much to contribute there. Overall, he didn’t seem very involved. But he did display that “Kunz sound” that we’ve gotten a taste of during this competition.
Personally, I need to hear Kunz execute a big piece professionally, with mastery. He need to redeem that disastrous Bach-Busoni. Forget the precious sound and show me he can grab the notes.
The Waldstein on Saturday will be his chance.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Is he doing the Walsdtein? Oh my ears!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I’d hoped for a BIT more from Kunz (..he is/was one of my favs) and I have to agree that there is much promise of goose-bump pleasure from Ms. Wu in the “Dumka” movement (..based on the rehearsal).
May 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I missed an “earthy” Bohemian rustic flow in Kunz’s approach. A bit too crisp for my taste.
– MH
May 28th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
PS: The comparison with sprightly Joyce Yang, who played the Dvorak last time, is indeed telling…
Mike
May 28th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Well I’m not sure if this venue is open to non-professionals. The conversation at times is fairly lofty. I am most definitely not a professional…just a hack that loves music.
I will say that I enjoy reading all of the comments–especially those of Mike and Ken, along with a few others.
I really am enjoying this performance of the Haydn. I think it’s crisper, brighter than even Vacatello from the other evening. It’s also more touching now that we’re in the second movement. She’s very expressive.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I heard only the last two movements of Kunz’ Dvorak, but from the moment I started listening it sounded too withdrawn, more like a reading than a performance.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Steve, you hack, comment away. I’ll have an Andrea Lam post up in a moment.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Perhaps it is unfair to prejudge and characterize what a pianist’s potential will be to interpret the particular nature of a given work by their outward demeanor and personality. But from all that I have seen & heard of Kunz so far, the Dvorak was not the most suited to his nature if I may venture such an outrageous proposition. While hearing the Quartet talk about those who pick the Franck, I pondered if that would have been a better choice for the possibly more eccentric nature of Kunz.
I hope I don’t have to eat my words, but I’ll predict Di Wu is going to blow the preceived “uninvolved” interpretation we just heard of this Quintet out of the water. Her outgoing and engaging personality and playing seem much more suited for this work. Especially in the dance-like characteristics Dvorak brought to this delightful piece.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Steve L.,
Welcome! I’m only an average amateur piano player but I’m really loving this Cliburn. Yeah, Mike, Ken and a couple of others blow me away with their insightful writing and knowledge. Thanks, guys!
I liked Lam’s Haydn but I’m loving her Brahms.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Dave !! …I totally agree ! The Franck would have been SO-much a better vehicle for him ! His palette has the pre-requisite bold colours.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Roger, I had tears on 118/2. I haven’t heard everyone or even have the knowledge to make an educated statement. But I love this performance. She is my favorite in the competition.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Steve:
Don’t worry about not being a professional…I (and I’m pretty sure many of the other commenters) don’t even fall into the “good amateur” class.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Her transcendant-Schumann was a premonition of what she could do with this Brahms !! Bravissima !
May 28th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
just lost my connection. have to reboot.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
@Steve LaBarge: You are not a hack, man. You’ve got great ears and a lot of listening experience. I wish you’d post more in here.
I remember you told me a couple of years ago you were playing 118/2, and I thought of you during Lam’s transportive reading.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Brad, I can’t believe you remember that. I continue to struggle with it. It’s so beautiful, I never tire of it.
Kevin: I have only heard one of the commenters–Brad is an excellent amateur. I can’t speak for the rest.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
She’s now playing 118/6, one of my two favorites in this set and blowing me away. I’m about to swoon. I’d love to play this pc, but lack the tools to do it.
Steve LaBarge: I also love 118/2 and would like to play that as well.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
WOW, did you hear how quiet the audience was when she finished? Amazing!
May 28th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Andrea Lam is also one of my favorites–a real firecracker of a player but with great sensitivity.
Just out of curiosity, what was the PR disaster after Kunz’s first interview? I heard the interview — talking about how he was fighting the piano the whole time and his fingers slipping off. Was this embarrassing to the Cliburn competition, or what was the problem?
May 28th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
gnwelch- Very good point about her brilliant performance of the Schumann telling us about what we could expect she could do with the Brahms 118.
So many of us raved on her in the prelim thread, and she is picking up right where she left off. Give this young woman a medal. Definitely pick her for the finals.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Where is Lam’s blog. My goodness, she is messing up the Stravinsky pretty good. I literally could not hear half of her phrases clearly. And she was smearing notes and skipping a phrase in the last one. Her technique is not equipped to play these etudes.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Lam is having some major technical/memory problems in her Stravinsky (Especially the 4th) It is nowhere near that of Zhang Zhou’s. I hope it won’t cost her too much. Otherwise, I think that she has put in quite a remarkable performance. All the best to her.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Pressler said he’s looking for a “lover” on the stage? Lam IMO seems to clearly connect with the music. I can tell this even on a contemp piece that’s brand new. Onward…
May 28th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
This is the second time today I’ve heard the Bates pc and am really getting to love it, especially the jazz flavor since I play quite a bit of Scott Joplin. I can’t decide which version I like better.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Interesting how the same sort of rhythmic flavor winds its way through parts of the Stravinsky, Bates and now the Ginastera
May 28th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Part of my “smitten-ness” comes from the way she carries herself–the modesty in her interview after the prelim. Her expression when her name was called as a semifinalist. Obviously, none of that would matter if I didn’t absolutely lover her pianistic expressions. Colors are emanating from this Ginastera!
May 28th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Kevin– I agree with the programming comment. They connect.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
BLOGGERS: I implore you to post an open message at the *start* of each performance. Maybe I’m being OCD about this, but it’s frustrating not to have a proper discussion place for some of these recitals. Makes it disorganized and confusing for later visitors trying to find discussions, too.
Perhaps I misunderstand the purpose of the blog. To me (in 2005 and this year), it is primarily a community space, not a review site. The commenters, after all, provide most of the content here. Some of us are absolutely glued to it. Doesn’t it only take a second to post a quick entry? That gives us the properly titled discussion space.
Not meaning any offense; I love the blogger commentary too!
@cliburnadmin: Hope this isn’t out of line.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
In a word …she KNOWS what she’s doing ! Her Ginastera is spot-on and is calculated to give a thrilling coda to a GREAT program.
…as for the required piece, sorry, the other guy has blown her out of the water.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I’m also “smitten”. Her Ginastera is spot on. She is really capturing the flavor of this piece like no other that I’ve heard. I think a medal may be in her future. Kevin is very astute with his observation.
Bravissima!
May 28th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Brad, I agree. In fact, it has been helpful for me when I have to go back and listen to archives on perfs that I’ve missed–to find the appropriate blog/comment for that particular performance.
I don’t need to say more about Lam. I hope she’s a finalist.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Brad, I also agree. I hope the proper blog section can be set up and these comments relating to Lam transfered to it for future reference.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
@Brad Hill: I agree about the updating - I kept refreshing hoping to see a comment about Lam - since I sincerely enjoyed her Brahms and even the Haydn (not a big fan of the excessive Haydn going on this year…anniversary or not!)!
The Stravinsky was pretty good in the beginning and then the streaming got funky at one point (I have a great connection, so I was wondering what was going on) - anyone have comments at the end of the Stravinksy?
Lomax was interesting - first time I’d heard it - LOVED the Ginastera…
May 28th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Oh, yeah, I love the Ginastera too, so do my junior highschool students, they find it technically challenging. I like this girl’s sensibility although I’m wondering about her technical apparatus. I don’t think she can make the finals (well Kunz in the semifinals, so anything can happen) but if that’s the case, how is she going to manage he Tchaikovsky after that unsuccessful Stravinsky?
May 28th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
@ Fred John: I agree about your opinion of Kunz, that threw me since his light touch didn’t seem to be an attention-grabber for me…
May 28th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
>unsuccessful Stravinsky?
Whew, I don’t know. I’m not a Stravinsky expert, but I enjoyed her performance. I found a lot to like and not much to dislike.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I liked her Stravinsky, but wasn’t sure how much she was struggling through the more technical aspects of the etudes (especially the first) because I’m not too familiar with the pieces myself.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Brad, you’re right, and I’ll set up a thread for the next recital ASAP. Just so y’all know, it’s challenging going from webcast to blog to program page and back, all the while trying to wrap one’s mind around a performance. I don’t mean that to be an excuse, just an explanation. I’m no Ken Iisaka, or Mike Hawley, or Jade Simmons.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Depsite loving Lam’s recital I was about to say how much better I thought the Bozhanov interpretation of it was before seeing your comment gnwelch. I don’t know if his blew her’s “out of the water” but it for me it WAS far better.
Just wanted to say again, that regardless of all my and our picky comments, how great it is to see the great appreciation and enthusiasm the audience in the Hall is showing for all these fine pianists.
I’m intrigued that despite this long day of music how excited I am to hear Di Wu and the Quartet do the Dvorak despite hearing FAR too many times. [Even at Figure skating competitions if you can believe that].
I saw her do all Ravel in Palm Bch recently and agree with the quote Jade just said about her as an artist to watch.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I agree very much with Roger above - I also saw Di Wu’s rehearsal and enjoyed the playing and spark in the room (and was won over by her personality!) Can’t wait to hear her. Kunz - something was just off, things weren’t firing musically tonight with them.
Lam had a couple of brief moments of fatigue (who wouldn’t!) but as a whole had so much going for her in every dept!! Her Haydn simply sparkled and the Brahms was just so deeply musically satisfying - especially 2, exquisite. I ADORE her programming - the mix of old and new and contrasts was a joy.
I do wonder if had heard her Bates first if it would’ve changed my reaction - couldn’t help but hear Bozhanov’s bold version in my head. Ginastera was awesome though. Great recital though by Andrea.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Lam’s technique, to my opinion, is the weakest. None of the other contestants has a technical issue. I thought she was beneath most of anyone in the first round. So I am not surprised she messed up at Stravinsky. Other than the marginally competent (or incompetent in this case) technique, I have major problems with her touch. There is no penetrating sound from her playing. She doesn’t have it! With all is said, she does have a likable personality. But after all this is not a personality contest. Just think that she is here and Lukas, Zou, Spencer, and Stenphen are not, it drives me mad.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
@Kevin C: she was struggling in the Stravinsky with some amount of desperation.
@Fred John: agreed about the technical worries. This recital was revealing, and not in a good way.
(Still a Lam fan, though!)
May 28th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
he looked at the music way too much. look at Di now. Her memory can afford her the chance to look at the ensemble and not the music.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
@Brad Hill - that makes sense to me. I will forward on your comment to the bloggers.
Out of line? No, certainly not.
Our policy - everyone, please note! - is that your comment is welcome, unless it includes rude, offensive, or inappropriate language, in which case it will be edited or deleted. Please keep in mind this blog is family-friendly.
Emily in the Press office
May 28th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I agree with you, Brad. Also guys, please don’t compare her performance with Bozhanov’s. They are not at the same magnitude in music, technique, talent, and overall pianistically.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
and gesticulation! don’t forget that Nick (I couldn’t watch more than 5 mins of his Mozart in the prelims). I agree with you, where is Beus?
May 28th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Brad, I did write essentially what you did, to the great-pianists yahoogroup. I am so happy to have Wu’s version in my ears to end the night. Extremely musical rendition.
I just don’t know how Kunz got there ahead of a couple of others because more is needed than a pleasant, relaxed sound (especially when the music’s not asking for it). I had found him monochromatic, relative to some others and it felt that way again in the Dvorak.
Looking forward to Di Wu’s solo recital but not to two Schumann works, and I think the Davidsbundlertanze is a real danger with competition audiences unless done extremely well.
Gorgeous sounds to end the night.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Am in agreement with the general sentiment here. Kunz basically refused to play the entire work any louder than mezzopiano, except for the occasional passage where he suddenly went to forte.
Wu’s was by far the better Dvorak on the night.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:32 am
What a pitty there is a czech composer in the semis and noone now could hear it played by the czech pianist…that is really wierd at least
May 29th, 2009 at 6:41 am
About Kunz and the audience: They did not love his chamber performance. Quite the opposite. There was huge buzzz after the movements looking at each other in disbelief, shock, at the way he treated the quartet and the piece. The strings were humiliated at how things turned out.. This is the most sophiscated audience for piano anywhere so it is advisable to deep six the musical snobbery. The audience , for the most part, sees its role as support and encouragement for new talent of the world and give each contestant every chance to shine, but they are no fools.
May 29th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I actually preferred Kunz’s Dvorak to Wu’s. His rendition captured my attention and had me spellbound. He has poetry in his music.