Yeol Eum Son plays Haydn, Schumann and Liszt
A tension-filled night. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have to take the stage just before the first cull, when other competitors have already attracted loyal supporters.
Thanks to her late appearance in this round, Yeol Eum Son is taking a beaten path. Her Haydn, the C major XVI:48, has been played twice, and the other pieces–the Schumann Fantasiestücke and the Liszt Spanish Rhapsody–have each been played once. In the first movement of the Haydn, the emphasis is less on Andante than on con espressione, establishing an expansive, dreamy mood and an opportunity for high contrast with the driving Presto. It’s almost as though Eusebius and Florestan have crept in from the Schumann for an early appearance. Her tone has hard edges, fittingly for her no-nonsense demeanor; in the context of all the Haydn sonatas we’ve heard so far, this is pretty serious business.
It’s a good setup for the Schumann, though, which is compelling and technically assured. Somewhere around Grillen she really seems to relax and open up, with increasing flexibility and keener contrasts, and then in the Liszt she blossoms. The rhapsody is dazzling, carefully paced–exciting without being rushed–and full of soul and wit.
I’ll have to leave it at that–the blog is loading very slowly at the moment, and I want to move on to Sakamoto before the big announcement.
James McQuillen
May 26th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Reallly liked that Haydn. Clear, great colors. Every note within the beats is in place, not in a fussy way, but really commanding. Maybe over ornamented (those LH thirds), but I appreciated her showing a sense of the Classical style.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
So nice to agree with you, Shirley.
This Schumann performance truly has fantasy in every bar. Des Abends was truly mysterious. I have to listen. This is real mastery.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Her Haydn, I must say was impeccable! so in style and very sparkling… I personally prefer it to Kim’s earlier today.
but is it just me or is she not playing the hands together in Schumann? I realized it in the first movement, and it happens here and there…
The Schumann is also very nicely played, but it’s a bit too matter-of-fact… impersonal, a bit?
May 26th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
This is just impossibel to decide 12! I give up!!!!
They are not just comunicating to an audiance or jury, in my case they are flying the Atlantic ocean right to my heart in Portugal!! Great organization at all levels!!!
Greetings to everyone!
May 26th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
ahhh…
the return to the first theme in fabel was like a sigh… so nice
May 26th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Her Schumann is outstanding - expressive, keeps the overall line moving without the thickness of the writing dominate
May 26th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Her Schumann in one word. . .breathtaking!!!
May 26th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Her taste is exquisite and music captivating. What a talent and a sensitive player. Her tone is so charming. I wonder the European influence has the advantage of culture and nobility. She is doing Fantasiestucke now. This is a rather different interpretation. Her timing throws me off balance here and there. It seems to me that her playing lacks curtain intensity at times. Yet, all is beautiful and tasteful. She is no doubt a true artist. I think she has just become my most favorite of the lady pianist. So I should definitely put her on the list. So here it goes:
(in order of my favorites)
Lukas Vondracek
Eduard Kunz
Spencer Myer
Yeol Eum Son
Michail Lifits
Evgeni Bozhanov
Stephen Beus
Zuo Zhang
Di Wu
Ran Dank
Mariangela Vacetello
Haochen Zhang
May 26th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
That Schuman was one of the most memorable of the entire competition. Of course all the notes were there, but far more memorable is her basic sound concept. Every great pianist has one. Her sound is fundamentally dark but never cloudy or harsh. It’s other end of the sound spectrum from Vondracek (who’s not harsh, but I can’t imagine him making these sounds). She has an exception command of the pedal that underpins her vocal playing. I’m really blown away.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I’ve loving her touch at the softer dynamic levels, and wincing at the louder ones.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
She has just started the Liszt and already for me it is has far more fullness in the tone and richness in color than the Beus version. It breathes more, far more musical, not as mechanical as Beus. Though his was technically stunning.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Her command of the instrument is far superior to that of most of the other contestants thus far…I am definitely a fan. Will undoubtedly proceed to the semis.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Fantastic hands and she can play softly — the hardest thing to do on the piano. Her LH in the Haydn was a work of art.
John Mc: the thirds sent me scrambling for the sheet music.
The Schumann was lovely, but I can’t say I prefer it to Andrea Lam’s effective storytelling, especially Lam’s suppressed terror in In der Nacht.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I meant “certain”–sorry about the typo
May 26th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Is that what Sophie Menter sounded like?
May 26th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
She’s truly outstanding.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I’m not sure if we can at this point say ANY of the pianists will “undoubtedly proceed to the semis” as Robert Lee stated…there’s well more than a dozen pianists that deserve to be there at this point!
May 26th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Yeol Eum Son is excellent. I prefer her Spanish Rhapsody over Stephen Beus’ because Stephen played too fast. But I prefer Andrea Lam’s Schumann Fantasiestucke because Andrea’s playing is more interesting.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Is this woman amazing or what? I’m sorry to keep making comparisons but there was SO much more in this Liszt that what I heard from Beus. She gave herself somewhere to go and build with this and THEN, I do believe she EVEN played some of the later passages faster than Beus. I saw Stephen play this in Miami right before here and just watched his archived performance just before Son played, and THAT is an amazing contrast. Her’s was superior imo. She made it HER interpretation. The Haydn and Schumann oh my goodness that was so beautifully done. The clarity and imagination in the Hadyn was a revelation. Bravo- Do we have a medalist here?
May 26th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Here’s my top 12 in no specific order.
Spencer Myer
Eduard Kunz
Evgeni Bozhanov
Stephen Beus
Lukas Vondracek
Vassilis Varvaresos
Ilya Rashkovskiy
Andrea Lam
Yeol Eum Son
Ran Dank
Kyu Yeon Kim
Mariangela Vacatello
May 26th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
This whole recital etched into my mind.
Fans of the Spanish Rhapsody will want to listen to some of the tasteful changes that Stephen Hough made to the piece, particularly in the last two pages where he tastefully adds some LH octaves a la Valle d’Obermann to keep the energy.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Jade didn’t think we had heard any Mendelssohn yet in the competition, but of course we didn’t we with Zhang playing the Prelude & Fugue in E min. Op. 35? Well, regardless she is doing such an amazingly wonderful job and it is a delight everytime the camera is turned on her. Just love her charm, spark, enthusiasm. She just draws you into the entire event.
May 26th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
The Liszt was sparkling, effectively built, and had a good sound throughout.
She was leveraging intensely during the forte passages. I wanted to run onstage and either raise her bench or pull it away so she could play standing up. She also seemed exhausted at the end. I know it’s a stressful piece, and I’m sure she and her teachers have examined everything about her keyboard approach. But I couldn’t help noticing that she was struggling to get on top of the piece, and looked wiped out during her bows.
@James McQuillen: yes, being at the end of the lineup must be almost as tough as starting the competition. In the end, I’m going to cast my mind over the whole five-day show and identify the most lasting, memorable performances. Time helps formulate this perspective, and it seems unfair to today’s pianists that the judges can’t let their great moments shine in their minds for a couple fo days before making decisions.
Right now, Yoel Eum Son is filling my mind, but would she seem as important in two days, next to my potent memories of Vondracek, Rashkovskiy, Vocatello, and a few others?
May 26th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Perhaps Jade didn’t consider Zhang’s performance worthy of Mendelssohn!
My 2 cents. I’d like to hear Yeol Eum Son again and can easily see her in the semis.
May 26th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
@Ken or anyone with a program book: I noticed that Ms. Son studies in Hannover. Does the book mention with whom she studies?
May 26th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
whether kunz gets in or out will say a lot about the jury
May 26th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
@Marcus Cato:
try Scott Cutler’s iPhone web app for teacher question:
http://www.woodlandssalonseries.org/cliburn/#_home
it’s pretty handy! you don’t have to have an iPhone to use this app…
May 26th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I also preferred Yoel Eum Son’s Spanish Rhapsody to Stephen Beus’ rendition. She reminds me of Sa Chen (2005 - 3rd place finalist) who plays it very well. Beus’ was too fast and too loud (in my opinion).
My favs:
Lukas Vondracek
Adrea Lam
Yoel Eum Son
May 26th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
@ Marcus-
She studies with Arie Vardi
May 26th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
My own top 12, which I don’t expect to come even close to matching the Jury’s:
Tier 1 (Top 4, in order):
Lukas Vondracek (Best melodist in the competition IMHO)
Natacha Kudritskaya (who I don’t think will make it, but REALLY wanted to hear more of after her Gaspard)
Di Wu
Andrea Lam.
Tier 2 (Alphabetical):
Evgeni Bozhanov
Yoonjang Han
Kyu Yeon Kim
Naomi Kudo
Chetan Tierra
Haochen Zhang
Ning Zhou
Zhang Zuo
My next 4 were Spencer Myer, Rachkovskiy, Yeol Eum Song, and Mayumi Sakamoto
Other special awards:
Best Haydn movement: Yoonjung Han (1st movement of the E-flat)
Best Beethoven: Spencer Myer (Op 78)
Best Chopin movement: Evgeni Bozhanov (3rd of the 3rd). Runner up: Natacha Kudritskaya (last three of the 2nd).
Best Schumann: Andrea Lam (Fantasiestücke)
Best Liszt: Lukas Vondracek (Harmonies du Soir)
Best Modern Work: Ang Li (Bowen Toccata) Runner up: Naomi Kudo (Vine Sonata 1)
Special award for actually making me not hate the Liszt Sonata: Zhang Zuo
Most improved from 4 years ago: Di Wu
Most potential for 4 years from now: Ning Zhou
May 26th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Do we get a separate thread for the final performance of the evening?
May 26th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Wow! Thanks for the app info.! We are in a new era!
May 26th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
My favorites (in order of performance):
Stephen Beus
Ran Dank
Eduard Kunz
Nobuyuki Tsujii
Zhang Zhou
Ning Zhou
Mariangela Vacatello
Victor Stanislavsky
Ilya Roshkovskiy
My picks never match with the judges. So, I’ll not even attempt to predict who they will pick. Can’t wait for the actual results!
May 26th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
My top 12 shortlist, in no particular order
Chetan Tierra
Spencer Myer
Eduard Kunz
Di Wu
Vassilis Varavesos
Nobuyuki Tsuji
Zhang Zuo
Michail Lifits
Lukas Vondracek
Evgeni Bozhanov
Ilya Rashkovsky
Andrea Lam
May 26th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
@Dave: Apparently not. The whole site was down for about 15 minutes (on my computers, anyway), and maybe that discouraged the bloggers.
FWIW, I thought Sakamoto was able and lovely, but not a standout in this field. The program was a little on the lightweight side, and unlike Vondracek who dared to program two Chopin nocturnes, Sakamoto didn’t bring a riveting sound to bear.
May 26th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Predictions —
Ran Dank
Spencer Myer
Michail Lifits
Alessandro Deljavan
Lukáš Vondrácek
Mariangela Vacatello
Evgeni Bozhanov
Ilya Rashkovskiy
Amy Yang
Kyu Yeon Kim
Yeol Eum Son
Soyeon Lee; Andrea Lam or Mayumi Sakamoto (one of the 3)
May 26th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I didn’t hear every single performance, but I think four pianists stand above all others:
Yeol Eum Son
Zhang Zuo
Mariangela Vacatello
Lukas Vondracek
I expect the judges will also choose these pianists, (who aren’t necessarily my favorites):
Evgeni Bozhanov
Naomi Kudo
Eduard Kunz
Andrea Lam
Soyeon Lee
Spencer Myer
Chetan Tierra
Di Wu
Ning Zhou
But who knows what the jury will do?
John McInerney
May 26th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I love Jade Simmons.
Steve Cummings should watch his language, i.e., he should be careful with his American-English idioms. It’s so clear that some of the non-native speakers have no idea what he has just said and try to reply politely. Practice, practice, practice…
My favs (I didn’t hear today’s folks): Beus, Kunz, Lam, Myer, Rashovskiy, Stanislavsky, Tierra, Vacatello, H. Shang, and Zhou.
But best of luck to all of them.
May 26th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Best Liszt: Di Wu
Best Schumann: Soyeon Lee and Andrea Lam
Best Beethoven: Ran Dank and Spencer Myer
Best Rachmaninoff: Ilya Rashkovskiy
Time is running short … so we have to let many very worthy pianists go home early
Personally, I like:
Di Wu
Soyeon Lee
Andrea Lam
Mariangela Vacatello
Natacha Kudritskaya
I am sure people prefer others, and deservedly so. It’s about the repertoire and style. Everyone here is very deserving, not just my favorites. I totally respect different personalities and styles exhibited here.
May 26th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I will definitely put my vote in for Alessandro Deljavan, who has not been mentioned much here.
May 26th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Who is the gentleman chatting with Jade Simmons?
Thanks for the info guys!
May 26th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Lukas vondracek
Mayumi Sakamoto
Ran Dank
May 26th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I don’t have a full-12 prediction, but here are the ones I care most about:
Lukas Vondracek
Ilya Rashkovskiy
Zhang Zuo
I’d be happy to hear again:
Vocatello
Lam
Yoel Eum Son
Spencer Myer
Stephen Beus (who has really dropped out of favor!)
May 26th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Do we get a separate thread for the final performance of the evening?
Working on it–I’ve been having some problems with getting the blog to update, and I’m not sure how much of that is a site problem and how much my browser/connection. In the meantime, and hoping this comment makes it through, I thought Sakamoto was fantastic.
May 26th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Wow, this is difficult! I honestly can’t come up with a “12″.
Who I can’t imagine *not* being there (random order):
Andrea Lam
Lukas Vondracek
Yeol Eum Son
Michail Lifits
Mariangela Vacatello
Who I’d be very, very happy to hear again:
Natacha Kudritskaya (my personal #1)
Di Wu
Who I think could be there (ie, quirky, but maybe will excel next time):
Eduard Kunz (well, you can’t forget him!)
Nobuyuki Tsujii (bubbling good humor)
+ 3 others.
AGB
May 26th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Brad- thanks for the reply. Yes I noticed a few times when I tried to refresh the blog or log back on it was down for a while. We are quite spoiled having this site and all of you bloggers to give us all these nice threads on each pianist and other topics.
About Sakamoto- I don’t know if it was her being the final performer and that I was in a more receptive frame of mind, but I was at times swept away and spellbound. Its like the compeition disappeared and I found myself taken awy to another world during the Rachmanioff. The title of the Mendelssohn seemed to sum up the deep rich brooding mood for much of her program- “Variations serieuses”. I’ll say more if there is a separate thread on her.
May 26th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Did anyone else notice the Sakamoto’s mis-pedalling? I did like her Rachmaninoff.
Son’s entire performance was captivating to me!
Thanks to all!
May 26th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
James, I’m reading backwards, and it was the Cliburn servers. Not your connection.
While watching the telecast which went very smoothly (and that’s harder to do) the main cliburn.org site failed to respond everytime I went to see the schedule or the performer program.
But if I had a choice of failing servers it would have been exactly what happened, as the main interest was the music and the announcements and not a glitch there. That is difficult work well done on that broadcast.
May 27th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
For fans of the webcast’s host, Jade Simmons, I have an interview with her about her new album and her thoughts on the future of classical/concert music on our blog:
http://www.wvpubcast.org/blogs.aspx?id=9744&blogid=312
Alas, I didn’t realize when we did the interview that she would be hosting the Cliburn webcast! It would be interesting to talk to her afterward about the experience.
-Mona S.
Classically Speaking
http://www.wvpubcast.org/blogs.aspx?blogid=312