Watch: Cliburn winner’s London debut

Watch: Cliburn winner’s London debut

Daily Comfort Zone

norman lebrecht

January 19, 2023

This is pure magic from the Wigmore Hall.

John Dowland (1563-1626)
Pavana Lachrymae
(arranged by William Byrd)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
15 Sinfonias BWV787-801

INTERVAL

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
7 Bagatelles Op. 33
15 Variations and a Fugue on an Original Theme in E flat ‘Eroica Variations’ Op. 35

Comments

  • Steve says:

    Agreed, remarkable playing and choice of programme. and at age 19 ?!! Encores were Bach/Hess “Jesu,Joy of Man’s Desiring”,BWV 147, and Liszt’z ” Liebestraume” No.3. I got a sense he had preferred to end with the Bach/Hess,not do the Liszt.If I recall correctly, he did play the Liszt and Beethoven Op.33 during the Cliburn.He apparently had quite a “fan club” in the audience.

    • unLimited says:

      He will be 19 in March. And he seems to have a huge fandom but interestingly he has no social media. He should have one.

      • Nick2 says:

        Why on earth would he wish to be exposed on social media? Increasingly I find this should be renamed as unsocial media. These social media fora have ruined normal communications between people and result in a great deal of unsocial behavior which would rarely arise in normal conversation.

    • Young says:

      He’s still 18. 🙂 Turns 19 in March. What a remarkable beginning to a musical career/journey.

    • Nick2 says:

      That 13 (so far) have responded negatively to a young man who is one of the greatest pianists of his generation says so much more about them. I have talked with two jury members who were utterly spellbound at his playing, especially the Liszt in the semi finals.

      • Young says:

        I sincerely doubt there are that many naysayers here. More likely a few people or even just one crank spamming the dislike buttons.

  • Serge says:

    I listened to the last four Beethoven bagatelles. This is fine, of course, but without any special flavour one would expect from such a headline. Give him time to mature and let’s see in a few years.

    • Alex says:

      I’ve read a review by a critic that his performance was fully matured Beethoven, “the Beethoven”, a performance of someone who understands Beethoven completely. Did you even study music?

  • Henry says:

    Ok, the buzz is real. This was an excellent recital!

  • Christian Meyer says:

    Pure magic? Yes true!

  • Paul Sekhri says:

    He is a spectacular talent and one to watch for sure. His Rach 3 was spellbinding.

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