Yundi Li, piano – CHOPIN: Scherzos Nos. 1 – 4; Impromptus Nos. 1-3 – DGG multichannel SACD 00289 474 8782 ****:
The latest phenomenal pianist from China is a national hero there and
currently living and studying in Germany. His second DGG album was
recorded at Siemens Villa in Berlin. At age 4 Yundi was so taken with
hearing the sounds of an accordion that he insisted his unmusical
parents get him one. Later he switched to piano and his favorite
composer was Chopin. He seems totally relaxed and not pushed in this
survey of Chopin’s Scherzo and Impromptus, described as “an element of
weightlessness” to his playing. His tone and phrasing belies a
performer of much more advanced age and experience. Sonics are rich and
powerful except, as usual, the piano sounds way too large. (James
Boyk’s recording notes say the listener’s perspective is of “standing
in the crook of the grand piano.” But we don’t stand in the crook to
listen to a piano recital!)
The latest phenomenal pianist from China is a national hero there and
currently living and studying in Germany. His second DGG album was
recorded at Siemens Villa in Berlin. At age 4 Yundi was so taken with
hearing the sounds of an accordion that he insisted his unmusical
parents get him one. Later he switched to piano and his favorite
composer was Chopin. He seems totally relaxed and not pushed in this
survey of Chopin’s Scherzo and Impromptus, described as “an element of
weightlessness” to his playing. His tone and phrasing belies a
performer of much more advanced age and experience. Sonics are rich and
powerful except, as usual, the piano sounds way too large. (James
Boyk’s recording notes say the listener’s perspective is of “standing
in the crook of the grand piano.” But we don’t stand in the crook to
listen to a piano recital!)
