Zhang: the final concerto
And the penultimate performance of the contest: the second Prokofiev Second.
James McQuillen
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June 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I’m so much looking forward to this performance!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
AND I!!!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Huge thanks to the Cliburn foundation for this incredible webcast! Has been a treat to read your comments Eric and Anton.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Joining Anton and Eric!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
This has been an amazing journey, no matter who wins which medal. I have truly been inspired, as always, to do better in my own music studies from watching these young artists. Again, Thanks, to the Cliburn Foundation for making this possible, and thanks for the webcast for those of us who could not be there this year.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
What are the jury discretionary awards?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
His poise is absolutely unbelievable. When I think about how I was at 19.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Cellphone
June 7th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Yes again- Many, many thanks to the Cliburn Foundation. Wonderfully atmospheric beginning by Zhang and right into dark brooding. This is aurally delicious. WHAT< WHAT was that, a cell phone was playing over my computer. DID you all hear that???
June 7th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Did I hear a cell phone go off?!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
He’s already showing signs of that Mariangela electricity. Brilliant so far. I imagine today will be really easy on the orchestra.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
OMG!!!!!! WHAT THE HECK DOES IT TAKE FOR THOSE PEOPLE TO TURN OFF THEIR PHONES?!?!?!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
was the cellphone on stage?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Yeah that was a cell phone
June 7th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
They need to check cell phones at the doors and spray everyone’s throat with something to numb them so they won’t have any cough reflexes!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Any doubts about Zhang being able to bring both the notes and the music in them to the performance are already erased for me. He is really feeling this. This is going to be a medal winning performance I think.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
WOW!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Based on his performance thus far, I think he is very good, amazingly advanced for his age, well grounded - with proper development he is a candidate for a Cliburn medal; 4 years from now.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I’m loving this performance so far, just not loving the orchestra. Yeah, they’re tired. I get that. But these competitors’ lives are — in some measure — in their hands.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
@samem: i agree. He may even make it this year, but next time would be in the ’sweet spot’ - age, maturity, repertoire, everything.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
There is a special place in hell reserved for people who do not have enough respect that after being told to turn off all cell phones just 3 minutes prior still keep them on. Its like yelling in Tennis right before the second serve– those people are thrown out of the stadium for interfering so should the imbeciles who cant keep their phones off.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
i am sorry guys…but i dont like his performance so far…his sound is not that which seems to be Prokofiev like…and the lines of sounds are missing…
June 7th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Like his gaspard, too dry & clinical for my taste. Not my conception of Prok2 at all. great at pulling out interior melodies though.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I think it’s absolutely amazing….
June 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Much more controlled, thus more effective, than Son so far in the cadenza.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
john hopcins - I agree, although not so strongly. It’s ok - credible, but not the essence of the composer….
June 7th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
@samem — I totally agree!
I’m liking this performance better than Son’s so far in a “Prokovievian” sense. He is amazing — and needs just a “touch” more of that “thing.” He’ll get that thing soon enough. Perhaps he’ll win gold at the Tchaikovsky in a few years.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
This Prok does not have the same passion as Son’s.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
This is my favorite performance of him so far, he is really in the music.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Great….
June 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
wow,that’s how this concerto sounds like!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Trombones all over the world DRAG…and no exception here..
June 7th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I’m imagining a cell phone detector with guards checking their status at concert entrances of the future.
This very young man is indeed impressive. I don’t think it’s his time yet, either, but what a future he has ahead of him. I keep imagining him 50-ish, looking back at how young he looked back then - in these videos.
Whoa, that was a masterful juncture, IMO.
I add my profound thanks for this webcast. What a satisfying journey this has been to follow.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
WOW! Are we seeing a winning performance here?
June 7th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
That was BREATHTAKING!!!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
My favorite recording of this concerto: Vladimir Krainev on Melodya — don’t know if it is on CD.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
connoisseurs of the work talk again… dryness etc… maybe some Bronfman prescription for you???
try the cadenza first for a while and then write…
June 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
@john hopcins — I agree there. I love Conlon, but I’m not sure he’s helping.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Mine is Ashkenazy.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Holy cow! That was amazing. SO clear.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
A majestic and arching first movement. Many brilliant moments. I admire him but don’t feel gripped. It’s brilliant playing though
June 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
What do the rules say about those who medal while still young? Could he come back again in four years?
June 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
So far this has been amazing!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Krainev exists, but it’s almost live… sloppy
June 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
This is playing of the highest professional quality.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
The Vladimir Kraniev recording is the epitome!!! Third movement is slower than most but exactly how it should go in my mind! It seemed like I was the only one that knew about it until now.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Agree w/ @goose about Ashkenazy. This scherzo is pretty weak, it has no scherzo character! It’s being played like a Mozart Rondo.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I by no means think he’s too young to win. Sheer consistency and professionalism are two vital components for anyone wanting to sustain a career and I think he has these in spades…
June 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
definitely,he is medalist!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
sorry meant agree w/ geese not goose
June 7th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Yes, he can come back in 4 years - many have done that. Look at Olga 8 years ago - she came back with a bang! Her performance 4 years before that was strictly mediocre………..
June 7th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I thought it was an excellent performance of the Prok 2 first movement–maybe a little overcontrolled for my taste, but OTOH he didn’t mess up the overall “swing” of the main theme (as Son did), which destroys the piece.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
@Clela R. I was thinking the same thing.
Ashkenazy’s is also great — love it, too. I suspect not many folks have actually heard the Krainev on Melodya.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
That’s right. . .I had forgotten that. Thanks!!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Does everyone really think this (so far) is better than Son’s?
June 7th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I think (and hope) the judges would go for electricity and fire over wrong notes. Just imagine this guy playing this 4 years later. He’ll bring the house down.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
it believe it not to be a medalist performance…. But very good.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I don’t think he will need to come back in 4 years….
June 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Not so sure I like the tempo shift there…
June 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Son’s had more electricity. Orchestra seems a lot better co-ordinated here though.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
It is not his AGE I have trouble with. It is his lack of that last bit of polish. I LOVED Sultanov and he was 19 also when he won.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
@samem…Of course he is more precise than So, but she had sharpness of the sound and irony…which i cant feel in his playing.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Anton: we shall see………
June 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I’m still holding out to see what Wu does.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
So far i’m liking his Prok better than Mariangela’s. Not only it is faireworks, but he feels more contrasts and colors! I feel more heartfelt Prokofiev here - unlike Mariangela who played it probably 100 times by now and despite perfect take, it more sounded like primordial reflex than feeling of conquering the formidabiliy of this creation………. My personal opinion.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I agree he was much more controlled than Son in the cadenza, but disagree that resulted in it being better. So far, as good as he is in this, I prefer Son’s performance.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Me too, Dave…..
June 7th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Sorry, but I’m with Anton here, I’ve listened to all the concerti so far and this is by far the most professional of all– he actually listens! and adjusts to what he hears.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Dave, I agree with you. I’m immensely impressed with him, but I’m still waiting for the controlled “fire” that I felt in Son’s.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
@ira: Zhang also doesn’t seem the kind who’d engage in a sprint down the last straight.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Although this shows Zhang has some guts, I can’t help but to think of the “Prokofiev” sound that come from the hands of Vacatello
June 7th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Thank you, Eric — he plays so well with the orchestra.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
@ira: Do you realize that VACATELLO played Prokofiev 3rd concerto? And that Haochen is playing the second?
June 7th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I wondered throughout Son’s performance where all the folks were who doubted for so long if she had a forte. Now, it seems that Zhang has no real depth of sound compared to her. And for so long, his technique was praised, but that scherzo wasn’t as impressive as hers, I think. I don’t think this has nearly her energy or beauty. It sounds proper by comparison. The great leaps don’t pop; they aren’t as secure or evenly placed–or as fast.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
wow.,amazing control!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
@Eric Z. — it is really not about professionalism for me. They are all professional. I’m waiting to be captivated, breathless, inspired, not just wowed by his command of musicianship.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Agree John. Well said. Zhang is not giving me goosebumpsl
June 7th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I have loved Son in this competition but this Prok 2 is superior in my view - he is sounding incredible today.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
That’s it!!! I’m missing the goosebumps that I got with Son!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
@Marcus: I didn’t mean age for the sake of age, but just for loosening up, for that inspired playing. I see it already in glimpses. Sultanov had it at 19.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
come on, this is not Sleeping Beauty, which Son’s interpretation sounds like
June 7th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Maybe I need to trade in my ears for some new ones.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
This is where I think he could allow himself more freedom– it lacks a little spontaneity for my taste in the cadenza here….
June 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
@John P-I agree with you fully…
June 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
This kid comes closer to sounding like a first-class pianist than any of the others.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
See, right now, it is all there — this is beautiful! This is gorgeous music making! But, I’m waiting for him to LET LOOSE.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Why he would need to come back in 4 years is beyond me. Don’t be surprised if he takes it all!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Son was merely ferocious–with gorgeous sound.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Seems that Son showed more maturity in playing with the orchestra. She constantly kept her eyes on the conductor.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
The beginning of the 4th movement was spectacular. But up to this point, between the two interpretations here, I preferred Son’s. She came closer to the essence of the piece.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
@Houstonite it’s more important to hold your ears on the orchestra, than your eyes on the conductor
June 7th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Son certainly threw herself around a lot and looked liked she emoted a lot, but this does a whole lot more for me. This kid listens and responds, and that’s all you need. And I think he has a great sound.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Marcus - I agree. I believe it was Pressler that said in his interview with Jade the other night, that he’s looking for that pianist who’s here to serve the music, not the other way around. That will be the pianist that leaves you “captivated and breathless” I think.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
The Cliburn contestants during the 1960s were mostly Russians, Europeans, and South Americans. But now most contestants are from Asia, crowding out the Russians, Europeans and SOuth Americans. What happened ?
June 7th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Theres real sincerity here, I think it comes out clearly.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
There is such an appealing humility to this performer. He seems genuinely interested in making the piece work!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
@ Forrest>
yes i do. I’m comparing the impressions made on me.
2nd concerto is actually more formidable than 3rd, and at least a gorgeous……..
June 7th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I had fallen head-over-heels for Son’s sound during her Brahms quintet.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Yes, he’s wonderful but not quite Son. Although he may have the most impressive technique of the Competition ?
June 7th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I feel his constraint in this reading.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Definitely there’s sincerity. But there’s more that this work requires. Struggle and pain. Irony. Expressionistic decadence.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
It’ s a great performance, no doubt about it… but somehow I’m missing a little taste of freedom…at least in the Cadenzas. Everything seems to be perfectly measured here - that’s what I really don’t like…
June 7th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
In comparing the two performances, I’m in the Son camp, not because of histrionics. I prefer her range in this and other pieces. Anton, he’s listening for sure, but I think Conlon has been very hit and miss in these concerti in being with his soloists.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Son’s music is too sweet,and that’s it,
if it turns back to piano gold era, let’s see who will like it?!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
prefer Son’s..
June 7th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
he is so cute, he has everything but still plays a like a baby:)I think he is ready to play concerts for sure. Maybe he should fall in love, that will bring the things he misses:) Cause in pianistic term, he is all polished. Just missing that intensity, it is all inner now, needs to be bought out, which is the key to musical freedom. Right now. I feel he lacks that true communication, which is so crucial, cause it is the audience you need to face when you a concert pianist, all kinds of people. As a trained musician, I really really appreciated his playing, but not sure the general public. When you face 3000 people, who have come from work, bad day at home or any other places, you need a lot of more than just being a great professional pianist to move their hearts.
But he is amazingly good. God is so funny, when u are THIS gifted, you still need to live a bit before truly be a master.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Not a classic Prok2 but very interesting. It lacks bite but yet it is not presented completely romantically. Can’t put my finger on it.
What’s with the onscreen comments? I never noticed them before (did I never click on the Commentary button during the concerts previously??? Duh!!). Who writes these comments??
Oh and he has contacts on , not his glasses.. Brilliant kid!!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Yup. He’s pure fire in this last section! Pretty amazing. In this last section, I prefer Son’s *passion*.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Bravo!! Im speechlessly impressed by this boy.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Agreed that, at this level, a few wrong or skipped notes shouldn’t matter to a jury. But surely a jury also has to give some vast credit to a guy like Zhang who, so far as I can tell, hasn’t made a single technical error all competition. Nor is there slightest shallowness to his overall musicality.
Just occasionally - even in these generously-endowed times - comes a real, true, astonishing virtuoso of the instrument, who is also a musician to his or her depths. I do think this guy has got it, in spades. And he’s got plently of expansion room.
I’m going to give close attention to Ms Wu too - but at the moment the only reason I can think of not to give Zhang the Gold is that it could just hurt his musical development……. A few quiet years, on his own, playing Bach, Mozart and Haydn are what the world should offer this fella!
AGB
June 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Wow he is really tearing up the end now though. Great Finish. Bravo to Zhang.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Marvelous!! Spacious. Epic. Polyphonic. Wonderful continuity. Terrific rhythmical power. He is a most harmonious musician. This has been my impression from the beginning. His bio says he enjoys writing poetry. I can hear it in his playing. Like Tsujii, he is indifferent to the fact that this is a competition. Big vote from me! (I played this concerto at my graduation from the Leningrad Conservatory. Nostalgic sigh…)
June 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I think Bozhanov has the best technique. But the whole thing is just too much pressure for him, and when he gives in to that it spells some trouble. I’m really waiting to hear any recordings he makes, with good preparation and time. Zhang’s composure, on the other hand, to me is his biggest forte.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Son and Zhang are both great musicians. In this case, I agree with those who favored Son’s reading, not that there is anything necessarily wrong with Zhang. Just think Son was more inside the music.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
A really great performance!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Can Wu come from behind? She seems to be seriously overlooked.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! What a performance!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
And there’s still that misread chord in the bar after 113. Still, the end was perfectly together with the orchestra. Great job.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I’m not a big fan, but I think he’ll get Gold or Silver. And if he does, he certainly doesn’t need to come back in 4 years and should certainly drop out of the other competitions that he’s in (Leeds and isn’t there another one?). After this he should focus on building his career, much like Yang did. My concern with him with a Gold prize is that expectations may be set too high in the touring that will follow. The critics love to excoriate the Gold winners.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I know this is crazy, but these pianists are so good the judges might as well put all their names in a hat and pull 3 out for the medals.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
And he’s so humble and unassuming to top it all off. What a guy.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Will jurors award to pianists peaking in this competition or will they award it to someone like Zhang who will obviously improve? Not sure what their “instructions” are.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
OMG!!!!!!
Bravo!!!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Houstonite: For reasons that I cannot understand, Wu appears to be off the radar screen. Personally, I think she is one of the best of this group. I would place her above many of the favorites being discussed for a variety of reasons.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
This WAS the superior performance of Prok #2 !! It had much more cohesion and integrity than Son’s.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Gold: isn’t it -sometimes- a curse in this competition???
June 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Phenomenal performance to say the least!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
AGB, I agree totally. It’s a dilemma for a jury, and like I’ve said many times before, I don’t envy them.
It’s for that same reason I think he needs time. I shudder to think of such a talent being subjected to hectic schedules, burnout, concertizing…
Of course he also seems very very mature and may himself CHOOSE not to do too much if he does happen to win.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
@geese: agreed; including the rehearsal. It started earlier than that for me, with the Godowsky/Bates/Barber sequence: authentic Viennese charm, jive, and brand-new vision into a piece I thought I new. I was smitten by a pianist I hadn’t really liked at all up to that point.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
That was simply spectacular. Crisp, clear, not rushed. He brought out bits that we normally never hear. True, there was no swooning or angst-ridden expressions.
This was my favorite performance of the competition.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Watch them go nuts. This is thrilling!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
@gnwelch:
r u right!!!good job! Haochen
June 7th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Son’s play was pretty, just too sweet for a Prokofiev. Prokofiev is Prokofiev, not Rachmaninoff.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
@Ken- take Bozhanov’s name out of the hat b/c of the Rach 2, and I think your idea is not all that bad. I do think 5 of these have shown SO much to like at the end, with Wu still to come that any of them could deserve the Gold or Silver.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I will listen closely to Wu. For some reason she has not really registered with me. I think I had piano overload at the semi’s and did not pay her the attention she deserved. With all of the attention on the others, she can make (or not) a big impression here if she’s on. Like Vacatello.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
@Clark, Di Wu is my favorite competitor. If she relaxes and brings us into the music, she could in my opinion easily take a medal, and maybe even the gold.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Wow… Bozhanov with the best technique? :O
I agree that Zhang has formidable technique, maybe the best. Although I think Wu is stronger, as she will show us all with her rach3.
I think Zhang has prodigious talent and will be a musician to watch, but for now, he’s still a student, playing the notes without really understanding the music. Prokofiev needs so much more than just well played notes! For this competition, I don’t see him in the top 3.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
@CLIBURN ADMIN — can you please tell them that we can HEAR cell phones go off? It would be great if another competitor did NOT have to suffer through that horrid disrespect.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
i think Bozhanov is almost out. yes, i love his Mozart so much, but his Chopin is unforgivable.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
What and when is the next major international piano competition? Does anyone know if they’ll have the same excellent A/V/net broadcast as the Cliburn?
June 7th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Wu is not off my radar; she’s one of my three favorites as a musician and a pianist.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
The Cliburn interview is on. Love hearing him speak on anything.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
i can’t wait for Wu’s play also, i like her concerto more than her recital.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
It’s funny how Van Cliburn has “lost” his Texas drawl, and Bob Schaeffer still sounds like a Texan.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I personally think that Vacatello and Buzhanov are more interesting, but Zhang clearly outplayed the rest in a sense over the past 2-3 weeks. His clarity and pacing are near impeccable. And it would certainly be legitimate for the jury to award him for that with Silver or Gold. Don’t completely count Buzhanov out though for a prize — he’ll likely get the chamber music and commissioned piece prizes and the jury’s final scores are supposed to be based on ALL the performances, not just concertos.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
HA! Can you see this man’s HANDS? WOW!!!! Those are HUGE, Texas hands!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
This was the most involving of all the concerto finals I’ve heard (missed Vacatello’s Beethoven) so far.
@Vince–I think he understood what makes **this** piece work a lot better than Son did. Arbitrary tempo fluctuations detract from the motoric underpinnings of most of this concerto. If the first movement sounds like a barcarolle that goes crazy, then the pianist nailed it.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
This young man is clearly impressive, and yet somehow this performance kind of ruined a Prok 2 which I absolutely LOVE. His tempi seemed very odd; I just think Son’s performance was so much more satisfying. I grew up listening to Prokofiev playing this……that’s the standard I’m measuring against.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
John P: Glad to hear I’m not alone in my admiration of Wu.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
@Brad A,
r u right. any way, his Mozart is amazing. love it.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Rachmaninoff hands
June 7th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
@Clark
count me in!~
June 7th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I think Wu can make a killing if she gets the sound right.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
no one can express it better than Mr Cliburn
June 7th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Van Cliburn seems like such a sweet, generous man.
I always feel the same about him when I see/hear him. 
June 7th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
yes, i like his ” imperfect hand” topic.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I’m also a Wu fan. To me, Wu and Son and like Ying and Yang (or is it Yin and Yan?).
June 7th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I lved Son’ temper and emotional pain but i think Zhang was better……..
June 7th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
@MaestraM “Definitely there’s sincerity. But there’s more that this work requires. Struggle and pain. Irony. Expressionistic decadence.”
Agreed.. I felt little of these ingredients in Zhang’s reading.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
For someone with no prior broadcasting experience (that’s my understanding) I think Jade has done a very good job overall. I was surprised to learn that she was not a broadcaster but a musician. Not sure what she’s saying here about Miss America ???
June 7th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Half and half. Yin and Yang. The Wu blog page has opened. See y’all there!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Big Texan hands… He was born in Shreveport, LA
June 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I want to give Van Cliburn a huge hug!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
What a wonderful interview with Van Cliburn. I can tell you he is one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met, and his attitude towards music and the competitors is so, so exemplary.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
@ Houstonite!!! My thoughts exactly.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
@Peter I don’t think Son did a particularly good Prok2 either, although I liked it somewhat better. I disagree that Zhang understood this piece very much — but feel free to disagree!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Just re-listening to Son’s tape. I don’t know if it’s because of the quality of the web-broadcasting. To me, there’s no comparison between Zhang and Son’s performances. Zhang’s just sounded much more powerful and intense while Son’s body language made it look intense but it’s actually not.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Sorry I missed the performance because of a family obligation. I did get a chance to listen to his archived performance of the Brahms variations. I have never much liked this piece but I was riveted to Zhang’s performance. This young man is an extraordinary musician. His technique is the best in the competition along with Vacatello. His sense of architecture is unrivalled. Perhaps because he makes everything look so easy or because of his age, he is just not being given the credit he deserves on this blog. If he does not get either get gold or silver it would be a scandal.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
No comparison with Son. This is how the concerto is supposed to sound. He gets my vote for sure. Really amazing. I think he moved way up the list.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
And before we go to the final performance, I have to say I think Jade’s commentary has been GREAT. She makes the event accessible to all listeners while still keeping the commentary at a high aesthetic and knowledgable level. She makes it as suspenseful and exciting as the Super Bowl. A big Brava to you Jade!!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
re: Next international piano competition broadcasts. Cleveland is end of july. WCLV radio broadcasts entire competition but no visual broadcast. Leeds is late August. Limited BBC coverage - finals only if like previous years. Cliburn is the best coverage, next would be Chopin in Warsaw in October 2010. Wish they all could learn from what Cliburn did here and have the financing to move forward.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Holy smokes, what a way to leave! Zhang and Son both gave wonderful accounts of this concerto, but I liked his better. The cadenzas in the 1st and 4th movements were magnificent — the 1st all steel and spike, the 4th all mystery and menace. And the metronomic pace I docked him for yesterday in the Brahms variations served him well in this piece — there was a driving force underlying the whole piece that held it all together nicely. I loved his bright tone — powerful but never strident. More than anything, I admired his consistent effort to keep an eye on Conlon and never let the orchestra or the conductor break contact with him. He certainly learned some things from yesterday’s adventures.
Now we wait to see if Wu can work her way into the medals. Whoever suggested that they throw the names into a hat may have been onto something. Regrettably, the only name I’d leave out is the one I was leading cheers for until yesterday. Bravo to all and to the Cliburn Foundation for an amazing competition.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Cliburn is so amazing!! so much kindness and love…that is why he is Van Cliburn….bigger than life personality, not just a great pianist.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Thanks Maestra, I agree about Jade. It’s really hard to be on camera and give useful, insightful, commentary. It’s easy to say “oh she said something stupid” but if you’ve ever had to speak off the cuff in front of the camera… YOU KNOW…
June 7th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
@Clark: and I noted your preference for Son’s Prok 2. Joyce Yang said that she perfected the music in practice, then let it rip in performance. That’s what I loved so much about Son’s Prok–and on the 3rd consecutive day of being on the stage: it had to be exhausting. She lived that music. Don’t forget to vote!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Agree that Jade is great. And Buddy is good as her sidekick. They are so positive about everyone and manage to point out the fine points of piano performance for all experience levels of audience. Cliburn competition coverage is the best with the behind the scenes rehearsels, personal profiles. We really have a picture of each contestant that goes beyond showtime on stage. I was in the hall for Semi’s and it was great, but I missed the up close web coverage too!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I do not think we need to wait. Haochen will be a medalist and if I would vote I say GOLD with Silver for Tsujii
June 7th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I deal with the media for a living and cannot believe that Jade has never been on camera like this. She’s spectacularly talented at it.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Great performance, very cohesive! It was just as good as his compatriot Yundi Li’s recording on DGG with Ozawa. Considering Li’s performance was recorded with plenty of rehearsal time, Zhang’s live performance was no less scintillating and captivating. His consistency in his solo and concerti performances of the whole gamut from Mozart to Prokofiev stood at least two notches above the other competitors. I just can’t see anyone topping him in this competition.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Joey
I love you. The world needs a young man in love with love. Went back to his Ondine. In a world of very old Ondines (without parental control kind of evenings)..he gave us EXACTLY what Ravel had in the score..a young Ondine in love with love. I have never heard anyone that could keep the composer’s dynamics and give us a thrill. Let’s face it the first four pages are PP to P with a little MF sometimes. That is difficult to do.
June 7th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Kudos to Zhang for his professionalism and maturity. Some mention of recordings has been made but not of Jorge Bolet’s first recording with the Cincinnati Orchestra cond.by Thor Johnson in 1953. It’s a cheese that’s a cut above many others.
June 7th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Piano Teacher: Another aspect I admire about this young man’s playing is he never needed to bang and hammer the keys when he had to play fff or ffff and the volume of sound he got from the instrument was so much more natural than a few who banged and clashed. His performance of the Brahms reminded me of his teacher Mr. Grafmann’s old recording on Columbia records, the best ever on a recording. Zhang’s mind must be very organized like a great architect. He knew exactly how a piece of music should sound like and he put his love into the music to let it happen.
June 7th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
This boy is the gold.
June 7th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Piano Teacher: In my heart, I’d like to put Tsujii a step below Zhang. But in my mind, I just can’t because I don’t know how Tsujii plays Mozart or Haydn especially Mozart. An accomplished pianist/musician should also show that he could meet the challenges when executing a Mozartian phrase or Haydn trill or the lightness and deftness required in a Scarlatti sonata. For this reason, if I were on the jury, as much as I would want to, I wouldn’t be able to give him a medal.