FORT WORTH, TEXAS — The suspense keeps growing as the semifinal round of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is reaching its end. So far, the level of virtuosity and musicianship has been stratospheric. Musical Toronto has been there since the last day of the quarterfinal, where Canadian Tony Yike Yang gave a breathtaking rendition of Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor that certainly gave him his ticket to compete among 12 semifinalists. The six finalists will be announced tonight.
At the time when this article was written, two recitals and four Mozart concertos were left to be heard. Let’s look at the competitors’ performances so far. At this point, the main question one can ask is very simple, and sums it up: would I like to hear that pianist again?
Daniel Hsu, 19, USA
Daniel Hsu certainly showed musicality, fluidity, elegance, crystalline sound and good taste in his interpretation of Schubert’s Four Impromptus, Op. 90. However, he didn’t emphasize enough the different motives and chords of the left hand, leaving the pieces slightly out of balance. In the Brahms Variations on a Theme by Handel, he left us with the impression of having listened to a very good student who carefully avoids taking any risks. His Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21, on the other hand, was the best of the four competitors’ on the first night with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
Would I like to hear that pianist again? Yes.
Dasol Kim, 28, South Korea
At Bass Performance Hall, a lot of people seem to love the playing of Dasol Kim, and many rooted for him. This was quite puzzling to me, as Kim is one of the competitors that I liked the least. Among Mendelssohn’s Fantasie in F-sharp Minor, Kapustin’s Intermezzo in D-flat Major and Schubert’s Sonata in B-flat Major, I found little distinction in styles. Overall, Kim — who, on the positive side, shows lots of liberty in his playing — transmits very little emotion and seems a bit indifferent to the music he is making. He was more interesting to listen to in the Mozart’s Concerto No. 20, which he played in a manly, confident way.
Would I like to hear that pianist again? No.
Yutong Sun, 21, China
Sun was somewhat boring in his rendition of the Beethoven Sonata No. 26, and suave but superficial in Liszt’s Un sospiro. The young Chinese showed originality — we could even say eccentricity — in a very contrasted, bold and crisp rendition of Pictures at an Exhibition, by Mussorgsky. It was real storytelling, right in front of us. This would be the first of three times we would listen to the same work in two days, which allowed us to make somewhat unfair comparisons between three pianists of different ages and backgrounds. His Mozart Concerto No. 20 was fine, but not exceptional. One would say “generic”.
Would I like to hear that pianist again? Maybe
Honggi Kim, 25, South Korea
Every time we hear Honggi Kim, we are struck by his intelligence and strong personality. It was a daring choice to play Carl Vine’s Sonata No. 1, and in everything he played, we could tell Kim has something to say, as an artist. He was spectacular in the Scherzo from Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique” — Tchaikovsky-Feinberg, and fascinating to listen to in the Mozart Concerto No. 23.
Would I like to hear that pianist again? Yes
Yury Favorin, 30, Russia
Yury Favorin plays for himself, and for himself only. At some point — maybe that “himself” thought, “Hey, I am 30 and I have nothing to lose” — he had the suicidal idea to present the Beethoven “Hammerklavier” Sonata No. 29 at the Van Cliburn Competition. Why? It was one of the longest 40 minutes of our lives. Then, he suddenly switched into Tommy Gun mode to play the Shostakovich Sonata No. 1 and show everybody he could also play loud and fast. The night after, he left us with the certitude that he didn’t like Mozart very much by playing the Piano Concerto No. 21 as if it was a punishment.
Would I like to hear that pianist again? Never
Georgy Tchaidze, 29, Russia
Already playing as a great professional, Georgy Tchaidze has emerged as of the strongest competitors this year. His marvellous sound, outstanding technique, and formidable personality calls for a place in the finals. We will remember his grandiose Pictures at an Exhibition for its wonderful esthetic unity and perfect style. His Mozart Concerto No. 20 was outstanding and in perfect fusion with the orchestra.
Would I like to hear that pianist again? Oh yes.
Tony Yike Yang, 18, Canada
Is it because he is Canadian? I love listening to and watching Tony play. And the more I think about it, the more I know it’s not because he is Canadian, but because he is a prodigious musician. Is was difficult not to cry during his Liszt Sonata in B Minor in the quarterfinal, and in fact, I did cry. In the semifinal, he played beautifully two Scarlatti sonatas, in A Major K. 212, and in D Minor K. 9. He was also deeply moving in the Chopin Sonata No. 2, and showed what kind of artistry he is capable of in Pictures at an Exhibition. Showing astonishing maturity for his age, a wide variety of colours and ideas in everything he plays, we are looking forward to listening to him in his Mozart Concerto No. 20, tonight.
Would I like to hear that pianist again? Yes.
Rachel Cheung, 25, Hong Kong
The only woman remaining in the competition, Rachel Cheung is an outstanding pianist and musician who should go straight to the finals. Her playing is rich and she demonstrates a deep comprehension of the structure and the meaning of the music, as well as a great technique, a soft touch and a delightful sound. She painted Schumann’s Kreisleriana in such a subtle, poetic way that it is hard to describe. The Prokofiev Sonata No. 6 showed us another side of her personality, with power and imagination.
Would I like to hear that pianist again? Yes.
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To conclude, our three favourite competitors for the finals are Tony Yang, Georgy Tchaidze and Rachel Cheung.
Today, we will attend recitals by Italian Leonardo Pierdominico, American Kenneth Broberg, and Mozart concertos by Tony Yang, Yekwon Sunwoo, Han Chen, and Rachel Cheung. The names of the pianists going to the finals will be announced after the last round, tonight.
#LUDWIGVAN
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