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Yuja Wang at Soka Hall

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Posted on May 5, 2016 at 13:49:57
Botanico92007
Audiophile

Posts: 729
Location: San Diego
Joined: March 15, 2006
 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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not to sound snooty, posted on May 5, 2016 at 14:54:11
TGR
Audiophile

Posts: 3002
Location: No. California
Joined: March 22, 2004
 But that is a pretty poorly written piece of music criticism, IMO.

Still, I would have enjoyed hearing her play the piece - long one of my favorites. Heard Schiff do it 5 years ago, or so. I don't see how performers can possibly follow with an encore, but his was Bach.

 

RE: not to sound snooty, posted on May 5, 2016 at 15:52:43
Travis
Audiophile

Posts: 6170
Location: La Grange, Texas
Joined: November 25, 2001
 Bach always trumps, pardon the expression.


"If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

 

RE: not to sound snooty, posted on May 5, 2016 at 19:58:54
Analog Scott
Audiophile

Posts: 9933
Joined: January 8, 2002
 What was "poorly written" about it?

 

Just heard her Hammerklavier tonight at Sonoma State College, posted on May 7, 2016 at 00:50:32
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26465
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012
 There's no doubt in my mind that Yuja is a GREAT GREAT artist. She makes most other pianists who have recorded this work sound like poseurs. This performance was one of the most riveting musical experiences I've ever had. I hope to write a fuller report tomorrow. In the meantime, many many thanks to Analog Scott for his gracious gift of an extra ticket!!

 

RE: "She makes most other pianists who have recorded this work sound like poseurs"..., posted on May 7, 2016 at 21:15:02
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001


"I ask you. Do these fingers look like the fingers of a poseur?"






First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

His Hammerklavier is actually very good. nt , posted on May 8, 2016 at 06:35:01
rbolaw

 

looking forward to your fuller review nt, posted on May 10, 2016 at 10:48:11
Analog Scott
Audiophile

Posts: 9933
Joined: January 8, 2002
 nt

 

I'll probably combine it with a few comments about her 2010 "Transformation" CD, posted on May 13, 2016 at 20:03:55
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26465
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012
 I finally just got a CD copy - I had heard parts of it on Spotify, but only now have I finally heard the whole magnificent album. ;-)

 

Now I am really looking forward to what you have to say, posted on May 14, 2016 at 06:44:19
Analog Scott
Audiophile

Posts: 9933
Joined: January 8, 2002
 I guess I always assumed you had all of her CDs already. Was this the only one you have not listened to so far?

 

Yuja's CD's, posted on May 15, 2016 at 00:54:23
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26465
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012
 Spotify Only

Have not heard it

Have it

Have it

Have not heard it

Have not heard it

Have it

Have it

 

RE: Yuja Wang at Soka Hall, posted on June 27, 2016 at 09:40:09
Capt-Bob
Audiophile

Posts: 22
Location: New York
Joined: June 27, 2016
 Saw her do the same essentially the same program here in NY in Carnegie Hall on 14 May: two Brahms Ballades, Schumann's Kreisleriana & the Beethoven Hammerklavier. She approached the music with great seriousness of purpose and pulled it all off wonderfully well - no banging, no muddied passage work - all quite enlightening. She did the same encores as noted above, also the Danse Bohème from Carmen (as arranged, I believe, by Horowitz). It was in that last piece that she really let herself go, as you might say.

We've seen her a number of times here in CH, including with her sonata team partner Leonidas Kavakos. As always, her musicianship is of the highest order, while her outfits are always wholly ridiculous. This past concert was no exception: for the first half she was dressed in a diaphanous, actually see-through, form fitting flesh colored gown which was opaque in the necessary places. For the second half she wore a floor length emerald gown with a slit on the right side that went right up to her pelvis. If she's looking for attention she's got it - even from those who couldn't give a $hit about the music. And those 5 in heels - WTF - how can you work the pedals properly in shoes like that. The fact is, she could take it, her wardrobe that is, down a few notches and still look great.

We learn from reading history that men learn nothing from reading history. Hegel

 

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