I finally heard Yuja Wang live at Soka Hall on Tuesday night. I'm linking the review in the LA Times (you will need to click on the search result) because I don't disagree with anything that was said about her playing. We heard the same program as she played in Santa Barbara. I'll add a few comments of my own.
Her playing was incredible in its fleetness and accuracy. When she first entered she gave a quick bow, bending at the hips with her head dropping below the horizontal with hardly a glance at the audience. The opening of the first Brahms Ballade was exquisite in its tonal beauty. This was true of all her quiet playing. She was wearing a long, full-length dress, but the top and bottom were see-through material that didn't hide much.
After intermission she returned in a different dress that was long enough that later in the program she almost tripped over it. The opening of the Hammerklavier was dramatic and commanding, almost startling. She gave three encores, including Gretchen am Spinnrade and Mozart alla Turca. The Mozart arrangement was a hoot, and she played it for maximum effect, smiling and seeming to be really enjoying the moment. It was only after this last encore that she seemed willing to bask in the audience appreciation. Most of the rest of the recital was done very seriously. It was certainly a memorable occasion.
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Topic - Yuja Wang at Soka Hall - Botanico92007 13:49:57 05/05/16 (11)
- RE: Yuja Wang at Soka Hall - Capt-Bob 09:40:09 06/27/16 (0)
- Just heard her Hammerklavier tonight at Sonoma State College - Chris from Lafayette 00:50:32 05/07/16 (6)
- looking forward to your fuller review nt - Analog Scott 10:48:11 05/10/16 (3)
- I'll probably combine it with a few comments about her 2010 "Transformation" CD - Chris from Lafayette 20:03:55 05/13/16 (2)
- Now I am really looking forward to what you have to say - Analog Scott 06:44:19 05/14/16 (1)
- Yuja's CD's - Chris from Lafayette 00:54:23 05/15/16 (0)
- RE: "She makes most other pianists who have recorded this work sound like poseurs"... - Ivan303 21:15:02 05/07/16 (1)
- His Hammerklavier is actually very good. nt - rbolaw 06:35:01 05/08/16 (0)
- not to sound snooty - TGR 14:54:11 05/05/16 (2)
- RE: not to sound snooty - Analog Scott 19:58:54 05/05/16 (0)
- RE: not to sound snooty - Travis 15:52:43 05/05/16 (0)