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She's actually playing a lot better than her rehearsal earlier today, but still there's something missing as long as you ignore the wrong notes.

I like it when she bows (I'm a pig)

1. I really like her dress... I didn't say that to be mean. When I posted that, she hasn't started playing yet, it was just the orchestra doing the intro. So the "I like her dress" sentiment was genuine.

2. Technically, nothing wrong with her playing. Emotionally, I would prefer looser rubato, more pronounced embedded melodies, more attention to larger phrasing, perhaps more aggressive dynamic contrast... at least for the first 2 movements. I like her 3rd movement a bit better now. Certainly "enjoyable," just not quite "inspiring" for me (and I hold the bar higher than usual here for the simple reason that it's a Van Cliburn final).

I felt the same way! What an incredible pianist he is!

Hmmmm, maybe so.

Her dress was indeed nice.

I'm with Horowitzian. She started a little uninspired, but I thought the 2nd movement was lovely and the 3rd movement was spectacular -- strong, clear and crisp. (OK, the dress didn't hurt either. But it didn't need to "make up" for anything, IMHO.)

Vacatello's playing a lot better than earlier. She's a little older than the others and it shows in her Beethoven.

Does Haochen remind anyone of McLovin?

Must be a teenage thing?

Well what do you think? Did she hit too many wrong notes in the third movement or is she OK?

Vacatello played very well. I liked her performance very much... such exceptionally light touch and agile fingers, such sensitive musicality and good sense of structure!

You know this contest is getting so hard to call. I think it's all going to come down to the final concerti. The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming!

I think it's going to be Bozhanov. I think he's been the most consistant, but it could go to another. Tsujii is the sentimental favorite.

They talk pretty much the same also...




Matt

I enjoyed her Beethoven too. She definitely has the maturity where some of the younger competitors do not with Beethoven.

My favorite to win is Bozhanov (aside from the facial expressions, he's my favorite anyway), and Tsujii and Vocatello are next in line in my book. I don't think Tsujii is quite gold medal material, but he deserves a medal for all his hard work and wonderful playing, which has only gotten better as the competition goes on. There aren't many seeing pianists who can brag about being finalists at the Cliburn, let alone blind pianists.

Haochen photo album

http://cid-0b5558d4cd63e618.skydrive.live.com/albums.aspx?ct=photos

It's always hazardous to pick winners before the playing is done, since that ignores the real possibility of a brilliant performance or a total flameout in the last two days. But assuming each finalist finishes up in a way that's consistent with his/her caliber of play so far, my money is on Bozhanov for the gold. Tsujii should win silver on the merits, but I fear the jury may have reservations about his ability to handle the heavier concert schedule and public relations chores associated with one of the top two prizes. I know these things shouldn't have any influence on the jury's decision, but I think they will. His playing has been too amazing for him to finish out of the money, so I think he'll take the 3rd place crystal award.

So who gets second? Who knows? They're all good enough to deserve it. But my wild guess is that Son will get it, for a reason competition veterans will grasp: Bozhanov is going to start a major fight in the jury room, a compromise will be needed in order for them to give him the gold, and Son is the player whose restrained, classic style is most likely to appeal to jurors who dislike Bozhanov. On the other hand, I could be dead wrong. Stay tuned.

i do wish Bozhanov wins, since he is the most imaginative pianist among the finalists (or maybe all contestants) in this competition, and makes everyone else sound like 'a good student'. i don't ever remember there's such a pianist in all the competitions i watched before (in past 10 years). whether you like his way of playing or not (even my teacher doesn't always agree with something he does), he stirs somehow your emotions or casts shadows in your heart.

i would guess that he has made some jurors like him and others hate him, even though no one can deny his musical imagination. we may have to wait till he finishes Rach 2.

I have seen awards ceremonies where Mr. Cliburn has gotten in front of the mike and droned on...and on...and on...and on...(zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz). Is there any way to get him the message: give us five easy sentences and get on with it...many thanks!

Matinee Performance:
1:30 p.m. - Mr. Haochen Zhang (Recital)
2:45 p.m. - Ms. Yeol Eum Son (Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16)
3:45 p.m. - Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii (Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18)

Evening Performance:
7:30 p.m. - Ms. Di Wu (Recital)
8:45 p.m. - Mr. Evgeni Bozhanov (Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18)
9:45 p.m. - Ms. Mariangela Vacatello (Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26)

Far too harsh IMHO. There are some of the best pianists under 30 in the world. Many/most who didn't even make the semis have successful performing careers already.