Liszt: Réminiscences de Don Juan 1/2 - Claire Hunagci (11.2006)

[classicalalways]

It's amusing to hear "she is only 16" when so many elite pianists were already playing at an elite level at age 16. Many will argue that Kissin at 16 was a better musician and pianist than Kissin is today. French pianists Thibaudet and Grimaud were already building careers before hitting 16 (same with Lifschitz). Sokolov won the Tchaikovsky Competition at 18.  The real issue with Huangci is her obsession with virtuosity and showing off, and her inability to to play serious music very well.

[th3wing3dpaint3r]

@classicalalways UGH! get off your high horse. First of all, most of the pianists you mentioned are already widely celebrated. It's not like Kissin didn't get enough attention for being a child prodigy.

And what percentage do you think your-so perceived- elite pianists constitute of the whole?

Virtuosity doesn't come easy. People act as if it's a given or something that any pianist is born with. She's trained really hard to get to where she is now.

[classicalalways]

@th3wing3dpaint3r It's amazing how defensive you are without saying she is "incredible" & "only 16." If you go to Juilliard or Curtis & check out 16 year olds there are at all times - it won't be so incredible. If you heard Huangci live or in competitions, you know that she is a typical competition player without a significant prize (which may or may not matter, but it is another opinion). With limited time in life, it's more enjoyable hearing as much top level piano playing as possible.

[th3wing3dpaint3r]

@classicalalways "It's amazing how defensive you are without saying she is incredible & only 16." Why so?

I wasn't referring specifically to Huangci. There's a general tendency for people to downplay the effort it takes to be that^ virtuosic.

I don't really care what you think is good/bad or who you like/dislike, but claiming that playing like that at whatever age is in no way special, is absurd.

[def3mno62]

@th3wing3dpaint3r hell yeah I wish I was that good haha

[strider881]

she was pretty amazing at that time (2006) considering her age, though i dont like how she changed her playing style, now she rushes everything and she's always playing loud.

[hotbebimauz]

its ok but i dont feel anything

[utubuser10]

@hotbebimauz ...well, get your hands out of your pockets then...

[stacattos]

I think she messes the "la ci darem la mano" part

[zhouxc]

this sounds like a nightmare

[Tama300]

chupala , el de abajo

[marrieter08]

so inferiror to valentina lisitsa..........

[afertyus1000]

i like lisitsa but her reminisces de don juan wasnt that good in fact bolet is far better and even lang lang is

[gouloum2222]

true but she's only 16 in that vid ! her job is incredible i think

[stagesix6]

valentina just press the right notes, but her playing is mechanical.