Wu: the final recital
Before the evening’s Rach & Prok, a palate cleanser: J.S. Bach’s F-sharp minor Toccata, followed by Schoenberg’s Op. 11 Klavierstücke. And then there’s this piece called Gaspard de la Nuit–perhaps you’ve heard it? It starts with this water nymph, see…
Big props to Wu for an interesting stroke of programming, not just following the Bach with Schoenberg but following it directly, without pause. Schoenberg himself would have approved, I suspect. The Bach itself I couldn’t quite figure out–the counterpoint could have been clearer generally, and I couldn’t tell where she was going with her textural changes–but it was a good setup for a smashing Schoenberg. Intense, rich colors, hugely varied, and a vaguely creepy sense of drama, not unlike…
Gaspard. Well, whaddaya know. As John Mc points out in comments, the Schoenberg and Ravel are contemporaneous (Gaspard from 1908, Schoenberg’s Op. 11 from 1909), and Wu is making me feel the connection. She’s one of the heavier pedalers I’ve heard in the past couple of weeks, but wow, such colors. It’s viscerally thrilling, even unsettling, my favorite Gaspard of the competition yet.
James McQuillen
June 6th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I’m hoping for the best here. She had a slightly rough start with her Beethoven 2nd, but I believe that she (along with Son, and Kim, now eliminated) is among the best and most sensitive musicians of this competition. She has a terrific opportunity to step into the spotlight again with this wonderful program, and then later, with the formidable Rach 3rd.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Didn’t she program the Toccata and Gaspard four years ago? Like Beus with the Barber, must have confidence, especially since some jury members are the same.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I think it’s courageous to play Bach, who stirs strong and varied feelings about how his music “should go” and the Schoenberg.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I’m in the hall. Rooting for Di Wu to win her share of enthusiasm…
Doh! Steve’s talking again.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I hope people were watching Jade’s interview with Conlon just now - he said wonderful things and really made the case for more music in early education, and rightly so…this is why there is such a PAUCITY of American talent here…not enough early education!! Thank you Mo. Conlon!!
Enough on that…on to Di Wu’s recital - have fingers crossed!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Ah , the red dress…off to a good start
June 6th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
This is a beautiful Toccata ….can’t wait for the “modulating” section !! She is already showing an intimacy with the music.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Andrys, what you said in an earlier post re: personal tastes and going out to concerts, Wu may yet come out in front. In a sense, she’s everything rolled into one.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I get a sense that shes having a little trouble controlling this…. still quite beautiful.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Another “natural” pianist, collaborating with the instrument rather than fighting it. She is wonderful.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Its so tough to come out and start playing Bach…. many kudos to her.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
..well, the “modulating” section was a bit rushed and monochromatic for my taste ..yet.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
What a gorgeous ending to the Bach!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
She should have saved her red dress for tomorrow’s Rach 3. I think she will deliver possibly the best concerto of the competition, based on yesterday’s rehearsal. If this turns out as expected, she could get a medal.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
…unfortunately, I’m still not “feelin’ it” with Di Wu. What am I missing?
June 6th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Am I hearing the Hamburg Steinway..or is it just the tonal approach that is quite different from the other finalists?
June 6th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
The Bach was pretty unremarkable and the attaca to Schoenberg makes no sense. Why not Brahms op. 117 if she wants to show a connection?
June 6th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Exquisite Bach and this piece can be a fright. The sequences can seem endless. I admire how she handled them, though I usually listen for a faster closing fugue. So many valid ways to play these masterpieces. Brilliant choices.
Superb idea to slide straight into the Schoenberg !
June 6th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
WOW !! …straight from the Bach into the Schoenberg !! What a segue !
June 6th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
To my ears, there is a rather Germanic sound..
June 6th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Do I detect some TRUE BELIEVERS in the auditorium?
June 6th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
BB: Boring Bach! always the same sound and no clear articulation…
June 6th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Sounds like the TB is spreading
June 6th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I love also how she segued from the Bach to the Schoenberg. Very effective!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
@ Wiggins ….EXACTLY my thoughts (after Jade’s comment) of Brahms Op. 117 to lead into Schoenberg !!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I can’t relate to this playing
June 6th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
For me, she’s making great music out of the Schoenberg, and I thought the slide from Bach into it worked quite well actually.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I like the way Bach developed into Schonberg here!
Her handling of the modulations was beautiful. Though not a precise-sounding player, using pedal more than some in this, some of it is softened, but what matters to me more is that she’s such a Musician!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
The Bach was a revelation. The piano occasionally sound a bit different in the treble register, and a few notes were not tuned perfectly. Oh well, par for the course of being used so much.
I love how her whole body often moves with the phrases. She truly breathes the music, whatever she is playing. I truly LOVE this pianist. Go Di.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
gnwelch!!! Is it cool?!?! could you tell WHY!? are “they parents”?!? ;-D
June 6th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
This is a rather ‘dry’ piece, It’s not her playing.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
@ Skimmie: I think you’re right!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Great narrative thread, attentive phrasing and most of all, tons of dramatic character in the first Schoenberg piece- some darn captivating cheese here!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
The Schoenberg is about as radical as this venue permits. I think it is a good piece of programming.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Being a BIG fan of “Expressionism”, I have to say that she has a REAL connection to this piece.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Is this a real Model D or a poor impersonator?
June 6th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Always nice to see something different amongst all of the competition workhorses. The segue from Bach to Schoenberg was a nice surprise.
Say what you want, but she’s interesting. Can’t for the life of me figure out why she would pick Beethoven 2 though.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
i don’t feel any connection to what she’s doing.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
@ S. …YEAH !! Beethoven #2 I find to be SO ungrateful !!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I think she has a unique voice. This Schoenberg is wonderful. There is so much attention to phrasing and that is beautiful…Beethoven 2…why in the world.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I like the Schoenberg. Good selection. I’m enjoying it so far.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Part of an overall programming plan.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
An extreme romantic and clear performance of the Schoenberg. It’s so wonderful to hear it here. She’s got the audience with her… at least this one.
1909 was a great year for the piano. Schoenberg, op11, Gaspard and Rach 3 (I believe)
June 6th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Well, it’s a wide world. I happen to love Beethoven 2; delicious humor in a powerful bridge from Mozart/Haydn to the Romantic Revolution to come in middle and late Beethoven.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
She could do wonderful things with Beethoven’s 3rd. Who knows…
I was just thinking how amazing it would be to hear Messiaen in a future Cliburn. Does anyone know if someone who didn’t make finalist had programmed some?
June 6th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Actually Clark, remember 1993 Bronze Medalist Christopher Taylor played Boulez 2nd Sonata which is about has radical as you get, Cliburn or no.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Great to hear the Schoenberg. She has such a clear understanding of this music. Very expressive performance!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
The Schoenberg comes as a major relief to me after days of recitals and concertos. Not to offend anyone - but I don’t relate to this music whatsoever. I can write on the blog and it’s not even distracting. She’s probably playing it well but I just don’t care about it. The new semi-final competition pieces are so much more enjoyable, to me anyway.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Cheese: Didn’t know that. I’m impressed.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
The mental images and scenes Di is giving me in the Schoenberg are intense and haunting.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
She deserves more sound for that. Both were wonderful performances.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Great. I can’t say I’m Schoenberg’s biggest fan, but her playing made sense and was absolutely captivating from note one. Hugely successful.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I think like John on the Shoenberg. I like the Romantic pieces better with the melodies, etc. Of course, I probably need to listen to Shoenberg more to understand it.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Yes. The right beginning.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Messiaen !! …LOVE it (and play a lot of it ) though I’m not sure it “fits” with the general repertoire we hear at the Cliburn. Maybe someone will come along and …..
June 6th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
@S.:
In the past, there have been a few (Christopher Taylor and Jong-wha Park)who have programmed Regard de l’Esprit de joie from Vingt Regards, whish is one of the virtuoso works from the set.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
She’s got a tall order to top Zhang from earlier !!
June 6th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Okay, more color and fluidity than we have heard before, with all due respect.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I like her tonal approach now.. definitely more liquid.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Gorgeous.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
This Ondine is off to a very good start. Phrasing and colorations very nice to my ear.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
am i the only one finding her Ondine to be too languid and a bit listless? Perhaps I’m too used to the muscle of Argerich?
June 6th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
She’s got the touch. We’ve heard some wonderful performances before, but this is remarkable. I refer you to Ashkenazy and Pogorelich.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
She has a very interesting way of distributing some of the passages between the hands– haven’t quite seen it that way before.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
She’s treating it only as a virtuoso showpiece, and even then doing a poor job of keeping it under control, not to mention layering the textures.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Agree with you Wiggins. Some murk here.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Sorry, Wiggins, we’re not believing it. This performance is astounding.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Definitely not the best Ondine I’ve heard…
June 6th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
I’m not sure that she brings as much”ease” to Ondine as Zhang did ….anyway, I’m off-and-away now. Tell me how the rest goes, guys !!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
The tonal colors that she is producing with Ondine are beautiful. Wonderful performance so far!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
that was the most beautiful ondine i’ve heard!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
How much ease is there in the plot to Ondine, after all…?
June 6th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Wiggins, is dead wrong. One of the best performances of it I have ever heard. Simply amazing.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Cough Cough Cough. This is a very inconsiderate group of people in the audience.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Andy Cruz is dead wrong. One of the most boring performances of it I have ever heard. Simply uninteresting.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I agree. Perfectlly enchanting Ondine.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
She plays with precision, like Son.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I am loving her Gaspard, it is being played with such fluidity as Clark said. From watching her, I feel like she is transporting me to another world. She doesn’t even seem to notice the audience. You can also clearly hear the melody (from her voicing) so you don’t have to search for it as you have to do with some competitors.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
We’ll see what the majority says wiggins. Actually it is already pretty obvious. I am not here to argue. I loved that performance and am loving the Gibet as well.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
W must be a TRUE BELIEVER. Only explanation.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I’m about as interested in the majority as I am this performance. She shouldn’t have even gotten past the first round over Beus or Myer.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
These blogs crack me up. I’m sure by the time she’s done, everyone will be saying she’s a sure medalist. Then B will play his Rach 2, and everyone will be saying he’s back in the medals (f he was ever out). Then V will play her Prokofiev, and everyone will say absolutely she’s a medalist. Of course that’s following everyone’s declamation that ‘Zhang was brilliant and Son and Tsujii are of course medaling……. it’s a riot.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
I feel that she is doing so well, and I personally am shocked that she only has 9.6% of the audience vote.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
What a spell she is casting! Beautiful.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Too loud in Gibet - sound is too direct
June 6th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Most tonal color and depth of interpretation of all so far in my book. I am taken away and having a competely different experience in this Gaspard than all the others. More than the rest, in so much here I was hearing an entire orchestra. In fact, that is what keeps hitting me as I type and listen. The range of colors, and sounds she is drawing out of that piano.
Amazing.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
There, I thought so.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Radiant Ondine. Now, that’s the balance between Bb/A# to strive for. Spooky
June 6th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I don’t think it matters what the majority thinks, either way..NO one is dead wrong or right, period.
We’re dealing with aesthetics, personal preference.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
This must be a hard piece to memorize.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Meanwhile, to revel in the lovely shadings, in the shade, just a shimmer of light, in this rendition of Gaspard…
June 6th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I agree with JJJ, but gosh is it hard to choose a favorite!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I didn’t think I could sit still for yet another Gaspard, but she’s got my full attention. Fraught with peril to take Gibet this slow, but she’s holding it together
June 6th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
@Maestra. How rare to hear differently than you.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
But now this part is really good, and hats off for her tempo
June 6th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
JJJ- yes it is a riot, but we are all in the heat of the moment you know. Just as one of the bloggers twice or thrice jested in their opening- Just like Olympic Figure Skating.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Oh yes…Son and Tsujii are medaliing!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Yes, Dave. The first page or two told the tale. We’ve heard very good ones before, but this is the best, so far.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
What’s this TRUE BELIEVER term? I don’t get it….
June 6th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I prefer her musicianship to Son, Zhang, and Tsujii, but have to admit I have been a little bored and disappointed with her performance tonight. I do appreciate her programming the Schoenberg, and I thought the second movement of the Ravel was quite lovely.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Of the three works, this reading appeals most to me.
More density, color shifts, tonal variety.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
that’s the trick - to take it as slowly as possible without it falling apart…well done
June 6th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Lurker de-lurking here: I just have to say that this performance is captivating! I’m listening/watching via the internet, and had this on in the background while doing some editing work. I had to switch over to actively watch her performance because I was just blown away by her interpretation.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
still, for a demonic Gibet in Cliburn history, see Kobrin in 2005
June 6th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Well, I’m astounded. The Scarbo is in a class of its own. I think she’s well into the running.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
You could hear the bell being tolled for the guy in the Gibet. It was a very expressive reading of Gibet. And I also agree with scarlatti lover. We all have our own personal preferences.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Verging on brilliant.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Clark, you’re a pretty weak troll. I’ll admit that Bozhanov is more interesting by Wu, but he’s not been overwhelming in anything aside form his quintet..
June 6th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
That’s right, Di - memory bomb your way through Scarbo!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Yes, the tempo marking after all is “modéré.”
June 6th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
You cannot hear the bar lines. She is creating a universe of her own within Ravel’s score.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
@Wiggins - I’m a Myer fan as well! Very disappointed that he didn’t advance.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
This is a very convincing performance
June 6th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
@Maestra. Yes, Kobrin’s Gaspard and Rach B-flat were both standout.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Wiggins: Did not understand a word of your message.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I absolutely love her personal commitment in this recital so far. For me, the tempo in Scarbo is bordering on a little out of control– could use a tiny bit more breathing room. Some great effects, though! Very scary :-p
June 6th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Most impressive programming, showing the cheese to best effect with a lesser known Bach, Schoenberg and the Ravel just seemed like such a relief after all that built up tension in the Op.11. The Gaspard is indeed a marvel here..it’s controlled but with all the passion and atmosphere when necessary. You go girl!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Scary! That’s good in this piece.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
fabulous!!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Well I’m not the expert that some of you lot obviously are. I play at around grade 8 or a bit above. I have bodged my way through Ondine but Scarbo is a bit beyond me still.
I’m finding this Scarbo absolutely staggering!
We Aussies have a reputation for being brash and outspoken but I have to say I’m finding some of the commentary here quite unkind.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
lukewarm, at best
June 6th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Absolutely, the best. She’s in the running.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
As ugly as her first-round Haydn.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Standing ovation Bravo for Di for the cloroful and fantastic Gaspard.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
All the layers and planning are there. Consummate playing! She’s my choice, yet not (can’t explain, everything’s there). Couldn’t ask for more.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Hats off ladies and gentlemen to THE Gaspard of the competition imo. That was utterly spine-tingling. I was getting CHILLS.
Yes, she always was and is in the running. Now the Rach 3 and maybe she can walk away with the Gold.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
She doesn’t deserve that type of criticism.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Scarbo was seriously inspired and technically brilliant. Great articulation! While I found the Ondine a bit lackluster, I think overall the best Gaspard of the 3.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Agree with Ken.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Thank you, Wiggins. We understand that you don’t like her.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Wiggins; get a grip!!!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Yes she does. She’s a boring, conservatory-level pianist.
It’s amazing that she got through the screening round and Hong Xu didn’t. Oh well!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
The Ravel should have had a more enthusiastic audience reception.. I guess they need the big bang chord endings to get up on their feet.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Agree with Ken and Larkmuse, she should be very proud. A wonderfully exciting and enjoyable concert.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
that was the best gaspard of the three
June 6th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
So for fun, who would you give a medal to at this point (without hearing the next recitals)?
June 6th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Gaspard of the competition..for sure. As long as she does that in the Rachmaninoff tommorow, she will medal. Gold or silver. I hope she plays the Ossia Cadenza!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
…and currently in last place in the voting
June 6th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
she seems to have a similar interpretation to sa chen’s version of scarbo from 2005, but the latter’s was a bit brighter and more shocking…
June 6th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Wig, you may hear differently than we do, but you’re not doing yourself any favors.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I think “ugly” is an inappropriate adjective.. and hurtful.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
JJJ - how true! There are two and only two who stand out,; EB & NT!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I was surprised that Hong didn’t get in. He’s a great friend and a musician of the highest class. Although that could also be said about Tatiana Kolesova, Stanislav Khristenko, and PLENTY of other people who were also left out to my general consternation.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I thought Di Wu gave a magical and thrilling performance of Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit. It was one of those performances where she almost became the characters described in the music. It was a very atmospheric performance with excellent dynamic variations, color, nuances etc. Bravo!!!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Agree, Scarlatti. In some ways, it was the most memorable performance of the competition. The audience, like the judges, competitors, and orchestra may be tired at this point.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
For me, the very best, Certainly the most color and sensitivity.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I only heard Wu’s Ravel, and it made a strong impression for the most part. Ondine was lovely, and I thought the dynamics in Gibet were wonderful. The touch required to get that ppp sound on the last page is something few pianists have, and she does.
Scarbo was another story. The finger dexterity was amazing, especially considering her aggressive tempo. But early on it started sounding to me like the second movement of Ondine. All shimmer, no menace. I kept waiting to feel frightened, like a kid hiding under the covers from the evil dwarf. But it never happened.
Now let’s see what Bozhanov has left in the tank.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Love the different tones and shades she brought to her pieces tonight.
Wu has organized the most intellectual programs of this competition (and backed them up with technique and tone). This one was no exception. Could she be the next Mitsuko Uchida? Or should I say, the next Di Wu? :p
June 6th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Scarbo performance was really thrilling. She did a wonderful job of contrasting the scherzando sections and the waltzy stuff that sounds like La Valse–a lot of other performers just jump from one style to the other without any sense of linear continuity.
I felt that the difficulty of the writing didn’t get in the way of communicating her ideas. In contrast, I thought Vacatello was a little beyond her technical ability in her performance of the piece and seemed to be more or less grabbing at the notes. I’ve seen some mention that she is ill, and I generally have liked V’s playing, but not in Gaspard.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I have a hunch there will be ties for second place..
June 6th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Just let Wiggins have his own opinions. He has the right to his own opinion just as much as you have the right to yours.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Steve B, I’m also finding a lot of the remarks about this performance (and others) are verging on downright unpleasant. I was especially impressed by Di’s total immersion in the music, from the first bar of the toccata through the last of Scarbo. This was a smashing performance that absolutely confirmed her as a contender!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
The tuner is doing an excellent job. Nice phrasing, excellent sense of pitch. A Copper-bound Steel medalist for sure.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
she deserves the last place, never an exciting one in my book.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Andy: Absolutely, the big cadenza in the Rach 3rd is required. It was Cliburn himself who brought it back into favor, against the tide of Horowitz.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
BEST Scarbo in this competition, for my money.
Articulations and shadings were were fascinating, things I’d never heard before and so much more interesting than the usual slam bangs. Much more going into this than percussive things done in time.
Audience prefers slam bang.
She had the oomph too.
- A
June 6th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
That was beautiful playing. She brought out corners of the Ravel that we’d not heard from others, lush Schoenberg that held the audience and gripping Bach. I wish the Scarbo had been a notch slower, but that’s a minor reservation.
She’s got to play Rach3 in less than a day. It’s almost as a sked as Son had. . . . almost. I can’t imagine that a pianist who’d play Scarbo like that won’t play the big cadenza tomorrow.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
After that scherzo, I am so so so excited to hear that cadenza tom.
Thanks Clark.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I’m now in the mood for a big grand powerful Rach 2 from Evgeni. I just love how we have Rach 2/Prokofiev 3 tonight and Prokofiev 2/Rach 3 tomorrow.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
@Clark- Enjoyed your positive comments on Di, and of course I agree with you.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I mean scarbo not scherzo.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I prefer the slow cadenza though.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
My favorite Scarbo is still by the relatively unknown Andre Tchaikowsky: http://andretchaikowsky.com/recordings/mp3s/03_gaspard_de_la_nuit_scarbo.mp3
June 6th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Well, I’m glad everyone here liked it so much: talking about what great colors, etc. Maybe it’s just not coming through on computer, because what I am hearing is the SAME KIND OF SOUND throughout. No argument with her technique or commitment. Both are awesome. But I’m missing the extremes, the follow-through in the dynamic of one line after the other, the stretch, the things that make a Scarbo terrifying - and people, it does NOT have to be that fast. It was pretty perfect (even if Zhang’s version earlier was even MORE perfect) but that’s not the POINT of this piece.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Reply to CD
Thanks for your support.
I am English, hence naturally reseved, though I’ve got used to Aussie culture after 20 years here.
And I guess this IS a cultural thing.
In my own field (math/physics) Americans are very outspoken and tolerate no nonsense. That’s fair enough, in fact it’s good. I know the US to be a very friendly country with warm people.
But compare these blogs with those on the A(us) BC for Sydney last year. We are not scared to criticize here but the adjectives are generally less harsh.
I’m guessing that most of these artists are used to this sort of thing so they will have learned to take it with a pinch of salt. It comes across as unpleasant to outsiders though.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
I appreciate her interpretation of the music. However, I must say that at times, her expression is portrayed in the form of banging, and results in the loss of the beautiful tone, which could have been created. The quality of her sound sometimes turned me off, as much as I like her musical interpretation.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
A couple of people here have mentioned that so-and-so was ahead in the online voting. Where are those results published?
June 6th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
@Maestra M. —
“It was pretty perfect (even if Zhang’s version earlier was even MORE perfect) but that’s not the POINT of this piece.”
What she said. (And by the way, Zhang’s Scarbo was both more perfect and pretty spooky to my ear.)
June 6th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Jim,
The ‘vote’ is on the same row as ‘Finals’ “Semifinal Archives…” etc under the video box…
June 6th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Re: Rachmaninoff 3rd, 1st movt. cadenza: I definitely prefer the smaller cadenza, mainly for structural reasons. With the larger cadenza, you’re giving away the pre-coda of the 3rd movement way ahead of time.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Maestra M and veifokorp
What kind of speakers are you using ?
June 6th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
@ Jim Meehan and Andrys: Unfortunately, for those of us (including me) using a Mac laptop with a PowerPC processor, rather than an Intel processor, all those features are not available to us. We have to run Silverlight vers. 1.0 which does not support those features.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Phil -
That’s what I said - Zhang’s was more perfect.
It was crystal clear. Still not spooky enough for me, though - when it comes to Gaspard, I’m hard to please…
June 6th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
@ Jim: did you find the “Voting”???
June 6th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Lovely performance: throughout she’s never dropped her musical standards a notch, and they are very high. I’ve said before that the Gaspard isn’t amongst my favorites - too much “inside baseball” for me, pianism for pianists only… - but this really was gorgeous.
Didn’t care for her Bach - he’s a contrapuntal master of course, and you background that at your peril…… Schoenberg not a piece I really know, and I’m not, for the most part, a Schoenberg fan. But I got really drawn in.
Well done that young lady! Really a very compelling performer. She has me wanting to fall in love with her performances overall - but “wanting to” rather than actually falling….
Still, a privilege to hear her give so generously.
Now, for the rest of the evening I think we have 2 rather different competitors, each capable of knocking this thing dead, and winning outright. EB has to do less; Vacatello has to do more……
AGB
[noting that this excellent blog has been miraculously free of Trolls, until this evening. Ignore 'em.]
June 6th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Someone said they didn’t play it because it sounds like the end of the piece. I agree it is HUGE and maybe a little much….I admire it for what it is, A humongous statement of a composer that has complete mastery over his instrument. It is big and gawdy and I love that about it. It is my favorite cadenza.
Nobody ever talks about the other crazy ossia in the final Movement. I believe Kissin plays it.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Speakers? Just what’s on the computer. I barely have enough power to run the program (Silverlight).
Constantly afraid I’ll lose the connection - couldn’t get on at all last night. So I can’t go overboard on speakers. Believe me - I want to be there hearing this LIVE!!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Steve, I’m Canadian, so it’s possible that my lens is similar to yours. However, could also be that what we’re seeing on this blog (and others) is simply the lack of accountability for online discourse. Regardless of how the performance is going, much of what the pianists’ most trenchant critics type is less thoughtful and less civil than what they might say if they were speaking in person to the pianists or to their blogging colleagues. Not to imply that the blog moderators aren’t doing their jobs, but I don’t think they filter for civility;(
June 6th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Re: voting. Got it. I thought that was only for casting a vote. I see Voting Results there, too. (Pretty surprising numbers.)
On with EB.
June 6th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Wasn’t it something of an unfair advantage for Wu to have all of Thursday and Friday to prepare while Son, for example, was doing 3 programs in 3 consecutive days?
Still an enjoyable program and impressive interpretations. (an amateur enthusiast of piano music speaking)
Has anyone else noticed that when speaking English Di Wu sounds almost exactly like Camille Paglia? Uncanny resemblance!
June 6th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
@Andy: I agree with you, but I feel it is just too much in the context of the rest of the concerto. It’s like a third helping of stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner.
On to Rachmaninoff…
June 6th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
@Ho. Don’t worry. I’m sure they all have their wardrobes planned out. And I agree with you. She will definitely medal, probably very highly.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I personally preferred Mariangela’s Gaspard to Di’s. I felt she brought the piece it’s required electricity.
By the way, has anybody heard a Gaspard by Finnish(I think) pianist Sigurd Slattebrekk? Best I’ve heard.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:36 am
@Clark: I totally agree with your assessment. My favorite Gaspard is Pogorelich and Di Wu’s account is chock full of those same ideas of touch, colors and dimension. This performance is the best Gaspard of the competition.
I also loved her entire recital. It is risky to perform Bach on any stage. That performance was wonderful — it had plenty of spirit.
Then, leading directly into the Schoenberg was brilliant. She actually made MUSIC with those pieces!