This is one of my favorite sonatas of all time, and I have listened to countless pianists perform it, each with his/her own unique take on it, frequently leading to some wildly different interpretations of the exact same work. Many of these interpretations leave me absolutely confounded and dismayed by the choices made by the pianist. There are many that still manage to resonate with me even when there are interpretive choices that I disagree with vehemently. But there are a few, just a few, performances that I return to over and over again, because they truly speak to me on every level, where the pianist shows such a profound understanding of, and appreciation for, the countless subtleties and nuances of this extraordinary work. That is what I hear in this brilliant performance. I have rarely heard such a restrained and understated performance, deeply personal and profoundly introspective. I know that all expressions of love and gratitude for a particular performance are quite subjective, and vary enormously from one person to the next. But for this listener, who has performed this sonata many times, and has lived with it intimately for many years now, this is about as good as it gets.🙏
I had the privilege of watching his performance live in the competition. My first comment reacting after the sonata was: "he is a genius, because he behaves like a genius. He gives an incredible performance like it was nothing so special". I think this comment still stands.
There are two ways to play the B minor sonata, extrovertedly and brilliantly, or introspectively. He plumbed for the latter, for which I am enormously grateful. Compared to the exaggerated manerisms of, say, Lang Lang, he sat meditatively, moving mainly his hands and fingers. It may not make for compulsive viewing. His videos are not going to sell, but what musicality. I think on another occasion, he might be able to bring off the wistful third movement and the galloping last movement even better, but the first movement could not have been played better. Professional pianists can learn a lot from this young man; he has solved the interpretive difficulties like no others of this first movement, once called indigestible by a critic. As Schumann said of Chopin, hats off, gentlemen - a genius.
Watched the competition this year. Congratulations to all the artists, especially William. Great job, Ben! The interactions with the finalists were special!
He will go far in Warsaw! What a thoroughly excellent performance - the Judges certainly got that one right!!! I really liked the minimal break between movs II and III
Something possibly more than exquisite here. Not just technique, touch, etc. I'm watching the individual fingers, not hands. Look, listen and think about it.
William has very good control over his dynamics, articulation and tone production. Great technique. While I don’t agree with many of his interpretative ideas, that’s the beauty of art. Each individual artist has their own individual interpretation.
He plays this difficult piece very well. I posted a video on my UA-cam channel about Horowitz's action adjusted piano. He had the keyboard rigged so the notes went down with almost no pressure applied to them at all. His piano was much easier to play than a regulation piano. I studied with one of his students who told me all about the keyboard.
This guy's bedroom has a Steinway concert grand where the bed used to be. He has to solve a fugue to turn off his alarm clock every single morning. He pays Peter Dinklage to stand outside his door and shout insults when his dynamics are off by a single decibel. His fingers hold more insurance policies than himself, his house, and Tesla Model S combined. That performance was a total Yanger.
This is one of my favorite sonatas of all time, and I have listened to countless pianists perform it, each with his/her own unique take on it, frequently leading to some wildly different interpretations of the exact same work. Many of these interpretations leave me absolutely confounded and dismayed by the choices made by the pianist. There are many that still manage to resonate with me even when there are interpretive choices that I disagree with vehemently. But there are a few, just a few, performances that I return to over and over again, because they truly speak to me on every level, where the pianist shows such a profound understanding of, and appreciation for, the countless subtleties and nuances of this extraordinary work. That is what I hear in this brilliant performance. I have rarely heard such a restrained and understated performance, deeply personal and profoundly introspective. I know that all expressions of love and gratitude for a particular performance are quite subjective, and vary enormously from one person to the next. But for this listener, who has performed this sonata many times, and has lived with it intimately for many years now, this is about as good as it gets.🙏
I had the privilege of watching his performance live in the competition. My first comment reacting after the sonata was: "he is a genius, because he behaves like a genius. He gives an incredible performance like it was nothing so special". I think this comment still stands.
There are two ways to play the B minor sonata, extrovertedly and brilliantly, or introspectively. He plumbed for the latter, for which I am enormously grateful. Compared to the exaggerated manerisms of, say, Lang Lang, he sat meditatively, moving mainly his hands and fingers. It may not make for compulsive viewing. His videos are not going to sell, but what musicality. I think on another occasion, he might be able to bring off the wistful third movement and the galloping last movement even better, but the first movement could not have been played better. Professional pianists can learn a lot from this young man; he has solved the interpretive difficulties like no others of this first movement, once called indigestible by a critic. As Schumann said of Chopin, hats off, gentlemen - a genius.
Phenomenal. Absolutely stunning touch. William and all the other contestants were so inspiring this year!
I never tire of listening to the finale of this sonata.
Bravissimo Mr. Yang!
0:01 I. Allegro maestoso
9:31 II. Scherzo
12:02 III. Largo
21:30 IV. Finale. Presto non tanto
congrats william and all the other Contestants
Watched the competition this year. Congratulations to all the artists, especially William. Great job, Ben! The interactions with the finalists were special!
His singing tone in the first movement is bell-like in its simple beauty.
Amazing playing! Congratulations of First place! Bravo!!!
His 3rd movement just pierces me, listening with tears.
Incredible competition! Really inspiring. Great job Ben! Thanks for all the great interviews!
He will go far in Warsaw! What a thoroughly excellent performance - the Judges certainly got that one right!!! I really liked the minimal break between movs II and III
Something possibly more than exquisite here. Not just technique, touch, etc. I'm watching the individual fingers, not hands. Look, listen and think about it.
Such elite and refined playing of one of my favourite Romantic era sonatas!
Well paced and masterfully balanced performance.
Absolutely beautiful!
From Johnny delly
It's incredible!
Amazing!!! This piece really stuck in my heart. U.U
Yang really was the best.
could he be more relaxed? impressive
William has very good control over his dynamics, articulation and tone production. Great technique. While I don’t agree with many of his interpretative ideas, that’s the beauty of art. Each individual artist has their own individual interpretation.
He plays this difficult piece very well. I posted a video on my UA-cam channel about Horowitz's action adjusted piano. He had the keyboard rigged so the notes went down with almost no pressure applied to them at all. His piano was much easier to play than a regulation piano. I studied with one of his students who told me all about the keyboard.
❤
He is a gift ❤
Absolutely stunning performance! GO take Warsaw down Wiliam !!
This guy's bedroom has a Steinway concert grand where the bed used to be. He has to solve a fugue to turn off his alarm clock every single morning. He pays Peter Dinklage to stand outside his door and shout insults when his dynamics are off by a single decibel. His fingers hold more insurance policies than himself, his house, and Tesla Model S combined. That performance was a total Yanger.
Solve a fugue?
Do you think he’s feeling the emotion?
absolutely
Are YOU feeling the emotion? If not, why not? He's feeling it, as are 99% of us listening to his playing.