Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum This is amazing, Yuja Wang - Mozart-Volodos - Turkish March

Ok, I'm really sorry if you think that it's inappropriate for me to post this here, but I just couldn't resist sharing! I came upon this video today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1fgo7hp-Ko of this piano virtuose Yuja Wang and I think it's amazing, I just can't get enough!
What do you think?
I wish I could play like this... I'm really really jealous.

Awesome! She makes it look so effortless.

Her technique is second to none and rivals that of any pianist I've ever heard. I've had the chance to hear her live three times now (solo recital, Prok 2 concerto with Dutoit, as well as the bflat minor Tchaikovsky) and have met her once. Twice she played the Mozart-Volodos as an encore and the other encore was Flight of the Bumblebee... Yuja Wang/Bumblebee
She's just a tiny little thing, but she sure gets one heck of a big sound out of the piano. Her debut recording on DG came out last April just a week before I heard her with the Tchaikovsky. It was after that concert that I met her, which was fun, since she'd been on my Facebook friend's list for a few months, and so, when I introduced myself she knew who I was before I even told her my name.

Agreed. Ms. Wang is an amazing; only recently graduated from Curtis and already her own record with DG. Amazing accomplishment for someone so young.

Can someone name more piano virtuosos ? (Female preferably...)

Valentina Lisitsa is another younger one who is technically amazing.

And then there is the absolute master... Martha Argerich. Swooooon

Lola Astanova is pretty good

http://www.youtube.com/user/LolaAstanova#p/u/12/Lqorloj2YZY

I'm sorry, but she's a circus act.

At least you are consistent in your views stores, but the question was who are some other virtuosos. She either is, or isn't, and it appears that she is, whether you like what she stands for or how she markets herself or not.

Or are you suggesting her technical abilities are not at the virtuoso level? If that is the case, it might be prudent to say it in such a way, and then explain why.

[/quote]
Or are you suggesting her technical abilities are not at the virtuoso level? If that is the case, it might be prudent to say it in such a way, and then explain why. [/quote]

Don't hold your breath.

This doesn't seems to be a "circus act" playing...

http://www.youtube.com/user/LolaAstanova#p/u/4/tou784DGrss

ps: although at 3:03->3:06 sounds a little different to me...

al-mahed, thought I'd share this as well. Same piece but they sound different. Is it the recording?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvm2ZsRv3C8

Did I miss something? Did I write more than I thought I did? No. I simply said she's a circus act. There's not much doubt about that.

Then yes, you missed something. Pay attention to the question posed next time.

Does it benefit anyone in anyway expressing this kind of opinion in public? You’re entitled to your own opinions, yes. But show respect if you want some in return.

Enjoyed. Thanks for positing.

[/quote] But show respect if you want some in return. [/quote]

Don't hold your breath.

Someone asked if I was suggesting something, when, in fact, I simply wrote, "I'm sorry, but she's a circus act". My comment here (which was not, in any way, disrespectful) simply says, "Don't read between the lines. I said what I said and that's that." I don't particularly care whether my opinion of her benefits anyone else, or not. She's a circus act, pure and simple. She does nothing special (outside of adding ridiculous theatrics at times). Take a trip to most any major university with a good music school and you'll hear the majority of performance majors there playing the same repertoire. So, she's on Youtube...ummm ok, great...good for her. Speak to me through the music and I'll pay attention. Until then, if I want to see a pianist jumping off the bench for effect, I'll watch Victor Borge.

stores states facts, not opinions , at least, according to stores.

Cathy

You may have forgotten and I’d like to remind you. This place is called ABF (Adult Beginner Forum). You may not be an AB in its true sense, but many of us, I and probably thousands more members and non-members included, look up to her and some others for inspirations (I’ll look up Victor Borge when I have a chance). We gather here for motivation, inspiration, supports and share our love for music. That's what this place is about, promote and inspire love/music. If you think your comments have no weight on us, please think again. Enuff said.

Hey, all this text because I disagree with you?

I think she plays pretty well, wish I could play like her, and I really didn't see any "circus act" on her playing that particular piece.

If at the circus I might find a good looking woman playing so well the piano I'll surely buy a ticket

Well, I think it is not the recording, maybe different notes, or a different fingering pattern. I think that was different notes... I cannot say whether it is an original interpretation or a mistake, anyway I found the rendition sweet.

Dear God I want to be a circus act...thank you.

You're quite right, and thank you. Fact one...she's a circus act. If she had anything to say with the music outside of playing the notes then she wouldn't need to draw attention to herself with the theatrics (see her Rach 2nd sonata). Fact two...you'll find the majority of performance majors at any good music school playing the same repertoire (and not a single one would dare her little bench jumping act). Fact three...She's on Youtube (wow!) Fact four...it concerns me not, whether you agree with my opinion of her.

Fact one.. if a person had anything to say with their opinions they wouldn't need to draw attention to themselves with the theatrics of representing their opinions as facts.

Fact two... you will find the majority of children at any good playground playing the same repertoire of social skills (and not a single one would dare refer to someone like Lang Lang as an "abomination" or to Lola Astanova as "pathetic").

Fact three... Lola's on YouTube (wow!)

Fact four... it does concern me to treat all human beings as having dignity and as worthy of respect.

You know, really, Larry, originally, I simply stated my opinion, and you (as well as someone else,) asked me to elaborate, so really, YOU, asked me to draw attention to my opinion. As to your second point about children not knowing what's pathetic or an abomination...you're right, I'm sure, because they simply live in blissful ignorance still (and thank God for that).
As to your last point, I, too, believe in treating others the same way, however, when one chooses to defile that which so many (myself included) hold dear and sacred to fulfill your own agenda, then, yes, that's pathetic and an abomination. Now, if you (or anyone else here) feels disrespected by anything I've said, then you, certainly, need to learn to not let one's opinion, or the stating of some facts that you might not agree with, bother you so badly. My replies have not been directed at anyone personally. If you like Lang Lang, or Lola, then, hey, more power to you. It doesn't bother me one bit, because I can't take anyone seriously that approves of either.

I think Claire Huangci qualifies: killer technique, young and (therefore?) having a penchant for flashy encores and, to a lesser degree, flashy programs. When I saw her in November, her encores were the Horowitz/Bizet Carmen Variations and the Volodos Turkish March.

That made me laugh. I want to be in Lola's circus. I'm afraid of heights, so the tightrope is out. I'm unfamiliar with elephants and tigers. I'm too shy to be a clown. I could juggle, as long as there were no more than 2 balls, and I could ride a unicycle but only if they hooked 2 of them up together.. Maybe I could be Lola's page turner.

Scores, I don't feel disrespected by you, I was thinking more of Lola and Lang Lang. You refer to their agendas. I guess I'm a little more hesitant to think I know what other people's agendas are, even though I do it for a living. Heck, I don't even know what my own agenda is half the time.

Maybe the issue is the use of language. I don't know your agenda, and I don't know what's in your heart. But maybe be aware that when you say you "can't take anyone seriously who approves of either [Lang Lang and Lola]", the probable effect is that the person you can't take seriously may assume you are being dismissive, condescending and disrespectful.

I'll try to resist the impulse to make that assumption. I think your responses to me have been thoughtful, and if you didn't have at least a little respect, you wouldn't have taken the time to reply.

And I do have respect for you. You probably have more knowledge about music in your little finger than I have total. As Nguyen said, most of us here are beginners that want to learn about music. The forum experts and gurus who get the most respect are those whose language demonstrates grace, respect and humility. And they take even us beginners seriously. Abrasive provocative language draws attention to the poster instead of to the music, the very thing you say "showy" artists are doing.

Getting back to the music, I really do want to know, from knowledgeable forum members, whether, apart from the showmanship, Lola is a great piano player. In other words, if someone qualified to judge technical pianistic ability were to just hear a recording of her music, or maybe just watch her hands, what would the objective critique be of her playing. Maybe that should be a separate topic.

There's a difference between commenting about a pianist who's out there, and doesn't post here, and commenting about people who do post here.

If I was to say "Lang Lang's recital was horrible. He was a circus act," that would be my critical opinion. If I said "That Chopin nocturn posted by PW member X was awful, had no feeling, and you should have practiced more," then that would be a bit insensitive, and rude.

By the way, I can't stand Lang Lang, and I think he is a circus act. On the other hand, there are people I have a lot of respect for who like him.

Some may not like her because of the way she dresses...but she certainly has the chops.

I don't feel qualified to judge Lola's technical ability, but I would be interested to know what those who are qualified think of her playing ability, apart for the controversial stylistic elements. In other words, if qualified piano contest judges just heard an audio of her playing, or a video of just her hands playing, what would they say? I thought about starting a separate topic to ask that question, but I don't want to start another fight about whether she's a circus act. Maybe I'll do it anyway at some point, and let the moderators deal with the mud slinging.

Oops, I just realized I posted a similar post in this thread already. I won't delete this one, maybe it being repeated will cause someone to give their opinion. (about her PLAYING)

Such a heated debate, I even felt compelled to jump right in the middle. I think the source of animosity seems to be Lola's controversial artistic style, which I think is genuine. I have her CD where as you say there are no visuals, just the sound. So far I am immensely impressed, her Chopin seems to have a golden tone that is a rarity, and yes, it reminded me of you know who (Horwitzian will surely know) I love her phrasing, her detailed use of pedal and I think her technique is on the money. I personally like the eccentric movements and think that it's fascinating and refreshing to watch her. Most pianists don't move as much, but hey everyone is different. What some have referred to as "circus" act I think is genuine expression. With Lang Lang I don't feel that what his does comes from within. I can't explain why but when I watch and listen to him I feel that his "faces" are made for the sake of being showy, and his "emotions" are dishonest and not a reflection of him feeling the music. That makes me question him as an artist. However I feel differently about Lola's theatrics. I "buy" her showmanship for some reason. I feel that it's honest. Just my two cents.

Indeed I do, and that's why I think she's excellent. Other than that she's a babe.

I've already stated how I feel, but I wonder how many would feel differently about her if she were a man. How many would feel differently if Lang were a woman? My sentiments wouldn't change at all, but I'm curious.
I do hope, in response to the two posts above this one, that neither of you are comparing her to, arguably, the greatest pianist to ever walk upon the face of this earth.

No one said she was better.

Oh I know (and thank God). I just am a little repulsed that she'd even be mentioned in the same breath (then again I don't mention many OTHER pianists in the same breath).

Look, I'm sorry you don't have as high opinion of her playing as others, but you've made your point at least twice.

FYI, don't expect me to become LolaAstanovian anytime soon.