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These are live recordings from two recitals I had in 2001 and 2003. I was a highschool student when I performed these, so please listen with an open and forgiving mind, and no harsh comments please.

You need to wait about 15-20 seconds for most of these pieces to start.

Recital 2001 program (in order performed):
Beethoven Moonlight Sonata http://www.box.net/shared/r67amo7iuu
Debussy Arabesque No. 1 http://www.box.net/shared/eya30dofcv
Debussy L'isle joyeuse http://www.box.net/shared/11f74h84hh
Chopin Fantasie in f minor http://www.box.net/shared/uyg9bc205p

Recital 2003 program (in order performed):
Chopin Ballade No. 1 http://www.box.net/shared/1mzhn6gfxn
Ravel Jeux d'eau http://www.box.net/shared/zp1mcehess
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 http://www.box.net/shared/ls2al4cmy4
Chopin Sonata No. 2 http://www.box.net/shared/kr7ggoq1vd

Thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy!

Absolutely wonderful. I am blown away. Too late here on the east coast to make a lot of comments, but overall it is superb.

Your playing is very nice. I think that's ambitious repertoire for a 14-year-old. I was playing John Thompson Book 1 when I was 14!

I have just listened to your Chopin Sonata No.2.

Another wonderful performance!! Congratulations!

regards,

Just starting to listen to the Chopin Fantaisie......and I had to come right in and say that you're one of the few people (besides me) that I've ever heard play the opening enough-dotted. It's usually played more like triplets, truly usually, including by top people. To me, if anything the short notes should be a little shorter than written, not longer.

Drives me right up the wall when I hear it the other way.

BTW.....I'm now up to the "triplet" part (the actual triplets) and still loving it. I'd have to say the whole thing so far is as perfect as one could want. And.....now up to the passage that Steven (Sotto Voce) likened to 'butterflies', which many or most people play heroically or even brusquely but which we felt was more lyrical and floating -- and that's how you're doing it.

While I was typing, you're up to the middle section. You really nailed those contrary octaves! And without any compromises for the sake of accuracy. The middle section is beautiful and at a great tempo. Terrific transition back. You do an excellent job with what I call the 'jagged triplet' configurations (i.e. after each "butterfly" appearance). Those always gave me fits, especially the last set.

Excellent performance! I'll try to listen to the other pieces too when I can.

Just listened to your Fantasie in f minor. Unbelievable!!

Brilliant!

If there were any, I would buy one of your Chopin CD's any day!

We should be listening to you nowadays instead of Yundi Li.

yes!!!

My teacher at the time let me play whatever I wanted (actually, I don't think he ever decided a piece for me to play. Whenever I finished with a piece, he would always say "so, which piece are you going to work on next?"), so I brought to lessons all my favorite pieces that I had wanted to play. I guess I was a very ambitious student!

I'm scared of what you might have said if I had played it the other way, lol.
Those octaves were really hard for me to play. Practiced like crazy on those.
Thank you for the detailed response!


Wow, thank you!

I didn't expect this much positive response and I'm not sure how to respond to all these compliments except to say thanks!

Hard, isn't it?

How many hours a day were you practicing? These are really really good.

I think I practiced about 5 hours a day. My highschool ended quite late (it was a public magnet school) and I got home at about 5:30, then I would do nothing but practice after dinner and start homework and study at about 12am. I don't think I got more than 4-5 hours of sleep everyday during highschool.

I don't think I'll be able to live like that now even if somebody paid me.

Wow. What kind of grades were you getting in school?

I'm in high school now, and really cannot imaging having the time to come home at 6, practice 5 hours a day, and still maintain my stellar grades.

I take my hat off to you. Amazing, every single performance.

I did very well in school, actually. I was aiming for the Ivy Leagues, so I studied like crazy too!

Thank you!

Jesus Christ. Are you sure you're not the reincarnation of Einstein or something?

That's pretty amazing.
Anyhow, I really enjoyed your recordings - especially the Chopin sonata! This is one of my favourite pieces and your rendition of it is very inspiring.

Wow. I am so not worthy to even comment on this, but, I know what I like! The Ravel is still my favorite, but I have to say that I really, really enjoyed Hungarian Rhapsody. Thank you for sharing all of it. I hope there's more to come.

Excellent performances!

I am absolutely gobsmacked. These recordings are incredible by any standards, let alone a high schooler. Kudos!

Appears to me that that's a sensible approach. Studying a piece you really want to learn, vs. something ordained by a teacher must have some benefit.

However, a student must be prepared for some guidance. If a student wants to play a piece way beyond his/her capability, the risk of frustration is very high, discouragement will follow and could result in the student quitting. I guess I'm saying that IMHO a collaborative approach may be in everyone's best interests. Seems to work for me.