Watch: Tchaikovsky soloist is bemused by bird on stage
mainAs the German violinist Clara-Jumi Kang began her round 3 performance of the all-important Tchaikovsky concerto, a small bird – possibly a sparrow – flew above the stage, circling the oloist for a while.
Clara-Jumi seemed perturbed at first but discipline and nerve prevailed. The bird kept flyng back into her view but she played on, pretty impressively. Watch the performance on Medici.TV here, starting at 0:52.
Maybe it was the soul of Tchaikovsky, sent by way of blessing.
She will win!!!
Quite clearly a pigeon!!
that’s the beethoven concerto. not the tchaikovsky concerto.
After the Beethoven, she plays the Tchaikovsky.
It was a dove, it flew and sat very high up and behind the orchestra, not into her view. She noticed him prior to the second concerto, smiled and continued to play.
This is wonderful music making. A real talent to watch out for.
She is a fabulous talent no doubt. Very accomplished and passionate. Is it me or does the orchestra sound like ****? Totally not with her, too slow and plodding and generally just not first class. Seemed she wanted a more moving tempo in the first movement especially. Nevertheless she is surely a candidate for the grand prize.
I agree. The conductor has been a bit of a disappointment in these finals. He totally mucked up the attacca into the finale of the Shost 1 on Sunday – agreed, the soloist made a slight error at the end of the cadenza, but the conductor, with all his vast experience and knowledge of this very dangerous spot could have been a bit more quick-witted than he was. Given the circumstances I thought Ms Kang played exceptionally well in both pieces yesterday and as was commented upon afterwards her Tchaikovsky finale was stunning – easy to start at a fast and adventurous tempo – far more difficult to maintain it for the whole movement. I hope she does well tonight
She was really exceptional. True artist who projects her personal message so well throughout. Have you noticed that she doesn’t use a shoulder rest?
I wish her brightest future ahead!
I was impressed by her performance of Tchaikovsky concert. She is a brilliant violonist. Good luck, Clara for this evening. Hope that you will be announced as winner.
And…she plays Tchaikovsky’s concerto the way he wrote it – none of those obnoxious Auer cuts!
She is amazing like another competition hound of a previous generation, Ilya Kaler. Unfortunately she will recede into oblivion just like he in a couple of years…..
May I ask why you think this way? Just curious.
To me, a lot of these violinists are sounding the same. It’s all sweet and nice but no individuality, no grit.
Super violinist, but the conductor… he must have made the bird very unhappy with this dreadful micro management. No drama, no puls, no forward momentum… no Beethoven! LOL
Pity…she deserves better than a 4th prize…
I am shocked that she did not place higher — but I shouldn’t be. Rarely is my favorite the one the experts judge to be the best. Regardless, I hope to have the chance to see more of her in the future.
She clearly deserved better place. I am just shocked. I thought it would be either between Haik and Clara. Three third places? What a shame. Please someone sign this unique, soulful musician!
Her Beethoven (which I applauded as a choice in the finals) after the Sibelius/Brahms onslaught from the Queen Elizabeth finalists, was utterly self-indulgent.
Birgit Nilsson said it best, “An artist who cannot forget themselves in the moment they are creating art….is no artist.”
Very disappointed at her 4th place. She is a vastly experienced player, having already won the Indianapolis and other competitions. I see she has already recorded a solo violin CD for Decca, though this doesn’t seem to be available at the moment. Lets hope her career goes from strength to strength – she certainly deserves a higher profile here in the UK.
It’s available from Amazon.uk and dispatched from Japan. Pricey at almost £20 but worth it!
Thanks Robert but cant see this on Amazon uk – looking for her Decca recording of solo violin works entitled “Modern Solo” released in 2011. Its not on Amazon Japan either as far as I can see.
i can’t help to think the first prize :
1) better be a Russian
2) better not be a woman
3) better the country of the contestant pay for all the expenses
But I might be all wrong …….