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Some synchronization issues in the d minor - the orchestra isn't helping out terribly tonight. The C major is going much better. Once again, performer #1 sets up #2 for success.

...and someone FINALLY does the whole note ornaments correctly in the slow movement of 467! It sounds so painfully awkward when played as written.

Ooh, Yekwon's crazy ornaments are bringing a big grin to McGegan's face. I'm loving this performance, I don't even know if I love Sunwoo or Dasol Kim better. I love them both.

They really are amazing those two. I got my money on Dasol's more extroverted temperament, but I love Sunwoo too.

Very confident performance! Having heard both the recital and the concerto, he's definitely a shoo-in.

Divine.

Sunwoo, very elegant for so fast in the 3rd mvt. of K. 467. (That's a compliment. )

Mozart fits him like a glove. No one else in this competition has such smooth scales. It's amazing the beauty of sound.

I like the comparison of Broberg's Liszt to Tchaidze's Pictures. In both cases it felt like they had clear big picture interpretations they wanted to convey, and were willing to stretch (or even ignore) what was written on the page in places if it helped them convey it better.

I find it forgivable (perhaps especially so when it's pieces we're hearing so many times this week, but I wouldn't be especially shocked to see either of them bounced.

My money is on: Dasol, Sunwoo, Tchaidze, Broberg, Cheung, and Yang.

Han Chen will perform his own cadenzas.

I agree with all except Yang. I'm hoping that it's a wild card that goes to Favorin, but we'll see.

In other news, Chen's tempo is bringing out the Maestoso nicely. Feels more in control.

Me too, I wanna hear his Prok 2. 😭

Side comment: has anyone else noticed some voice leading issues in the eingangs/fresh cadenzas from the competitors? It's kind of disconcerting to hear 4 resolve to 5...

/nerd

Bad tendency. (Do they make you teach theory, or is it just a nerd thing? )

Heard both recitals today. Am impressed with both! Glad Pierdomenico programmed in the early big Beethoven sonata, not often heard in recital. Ist movement appeared note perfect. He also caught major facets of Beethoven, far ranging dynamics, humor, contrapuntal skill, the nods toward Haydn, etc. His readings of the Chopin Ballades were very satisfying to me, fiery, romantic and dramatic. His demeanor reminiscent of Pollini. Hope he moves onto the next round.
Broberg also very satisfying. The Schubert, while not technically demanding, had lots of nuance, character and subtle gradations of dynamics. No. 3 flowed like a water brook. And his Liszt was powerful and dramatic, he should graduate to the next round as well.

Just a nerd thing.

OK, sticking my neck out and predicting (with a dose of personal preference):

Tchaizde
Broberg
Dasol Kim
Chen
Sunwoo
Cheung

I have liked moments of Favorin and Pierdomenico, but they were somewhat inconsistent.

My picks:

Cheung
D. Kim
Tchaidze
Sunwoo
Hsu
Broberg

Interesting. Brentano quartet members say that given the 1 hr. 15 min rehearsal time, the Brahms is the most difficult.

I'm going to miss the Cliburning questions when this is all over.