Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Megathread

Yes, she moves the keys kinda fast much of the time--over articulated or attacked (i. e. plays louder)? Maybe this sounds good in the hall.

But, I think she might advance.

The Prokofiev had me in tears.

Bercu is a very interesting performer. Music aside, just the way her hands move a little more than they need to at times mesmerized me. And her demeanor reminded me of Mariangela Vacatello, who ended up winning the audience award back in 2009.

Shmukler: heard only the Ravel. How was the Haydn?

He seems top tier.

The clear picks today for me are Pierdomenico and Shmukler. Everyone else had some good moments, but these two had both the hardest programs and the best performances.

In the first session, I liked Fukami the best (particularly the Beethoven, which had the best sense of style of the three Beethoven performances). I think Bercu made a mistake with such a weighty Bach offering in the first elimination round - it might have been a better choice for round two, but you never know.

I'll miss most of the performances tomorrow and Saturday, so please post reviews!

I have a preference for Piedromenico, but I did not get to hear Fukami (how would you pronounce that? Felt like I had to go to confession after the first time I said it to myself. Could be worse. Could have been Fukau, which is what she probably would say to me.)sorry

Impressive start!

Listened to the end of Pierdomenico through Smukler, and am now listening to the beginning three.
Out of all I heard, despite Kociuban's flaws, I like her best, though I don't imagine she'll advance (her memory lapses made me so sad for her (I always want everyone to play their best!!), though hopefully they'll recognize how quickly she recovered). I found her treatment of sounds to be exquisite. I especially liked her Hamelin, which I thought was executed the best of those I've heard (I have yet to hear Fukami's and Kim's). I found her Prok 7 more traditional than Bercu's, which can make Prok 7 boring to listen to, but I thought Kociuban had the right combination of punch and lyricism.

I only heard half of Pierdomenico's Brahms, but it was impressive! Very controlled and secure, and had a great range of colors.

While listening to Bercu, I was mostly annoyed with the micing--did anyone else think something sounded off? I liked her Hamelin and Prokofiev better than her Bach, which I didn't love THAT much until the Sarabande. But, I found her presence pleasing and her sound charming overall.

Contrary to the live comments I read, and some above, I didn't like Smukler much. I found his Hamelin offputting--very loud and forceful. Of course, I've never seen this piece on paper, but after hearing Bercu and Kociuban's takes, and how they searched long and hard for the chant amidst all the chromaticism, I didn't think Smukler did as good of a job. Overall, I found his touch a tad too harsh and disjointed for my taste, especially in the Haydn--a bit cold, I suppose. But I did like his Bach/Siloti and le Gibet more than his other playing--I guess I appreciated his control of the lower end of the dynamic scale and the nice colors he got in subdued passages.

Just my two cents. Very glad to be able to hear any of these magnificent players!!

I'm listening to Kim now. She seemed well in control of the Hamelin, and I like her Waldstein so far.

Though I didn't listen to everyone's full program, if I had to choose I'd go for Kociuban who I though had the best technique and Pierdomenico who I though was the most interesting musician.

Of course, don't ask me who I think will continue.

So much music. So little time.

Anyone else experiencing a fair amount of buffering? Any suggestions for improving this?

I went to the cliburn website and I can watch the live stream, but where do I find the videos of rounds from yesterday? I missed a few. I'm on my mobile device if that makes a difference.

I'm having no issues, though I experience a fair amount yesterday. So much so, that I left my home and went to school to use their connection.

My best advice is to refresh and try to keep you connection as open as possible as far as bandwidth. The stream really is a bit of a hog.

The rounds from yesterday are posted at the bottom of the page under the "Latest Replays" banner.

Sorry for the double post, but I couldn't resist.

Kim's doing some amazing playing right now. I think he's actually the first competitor who actual seemed to be able to really penetrate the thicket of notes that Hamelin wrote.

Since they can choose mostly any piece (?), that choice is one big part of my preference.

I've heard some live, some replay and the quality of the sound is good in my computer, pianoloverus. Right now listening here: http://cliburn2017.medici.tv

Bravo!!!

Some miscalculated jumps in Kim's Scarbo, but I don't care. I wanna hear more.

Three questions:

Why are all stage wings so dreary? Safety tape and conduit.

How long have they had to learn the Hamelin piece?

Why does everybody think swimmy rubato is so "emotive?"



I really hate to start sifting, but since this IS a competition:

Standouts in the first 9: Pierdomenico, Kim, Kociuban (I have sympathy for anybody who goes first, and she does have unique tone).

im also interested in how long have they had to learn the Hamelin piece, its insanely difficult.

At least for the first few decades, they got the score 1 month in advance. As far as I know it has remained this way.