Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2

[davidbaker03]

EVERYONE RUSHES THROUGH THE SLOWER PARTS OF THE CADENZAAAA!!!! AHHGGGHHHHGGGHGHHHHHGHGGGGG

[davidbaker03]

Her tempo is stumbling all over itself

[Sk8erboi753]

she butchered the piece. she played it fast (and noticeably slowed down at the difficult points), thinking that it would compensate for her lack of grace and contextualization. i don't think she even understood the piece. she kept playing like a robot.

[pianomanhere]

The cadenza is indeed one of the fastest performances I've ever heard or seen, but I still find it passionate, masterful and riveting... 

[anothermusicfan]

Well, my 2 cents...

First, this concerto is UNBELIEVABLY difficult. The cadenza is nearly impossible to be played accurately, and most pianists screw it up eventually.

That said, Claire's performance has got quite a few mistakes. Many wrong notes.

And she couldn't avoid those unwanted pauses at the end.

Yuja Wang's most recent renditions have got very few mistakes, and, as far as I know, she is the only pianist who plays this fluently, without those pauses...

Kissin's version is my fave...

[chobeethaninov]

@anothermusicfan I agree with you completely, but I think yet another thing to keep in mind is that Claire was probably only around 15 or 16 at the time of this performance...

[mcbainst]

eh hem, I believe Horacio Gutierrez owns this piece. Would you mind returning it to him please? thanks

[ferromaggie]

Shame about the ending. Emotions are not necessarily absent just because you don't feel it yourself though

[MrNimblefingers36]

BORING BORING BORING You can program a computer to play all the notes, effect the speed, and play occasionally loud and soft. UGH UGH UGH  NOSEhow2Liv is right on!

[gianpaga11]

Fantastic!!

[SickForest]

...

[SickForest]

Sorry my english...

[SickForest]

the physic part for transmiting the emotions)... Is Prokofiev´s piano concerto no. 2, not Prokofiev violin concerto 1 movement 2 (in witch by the way many masters of the violin tends to accelerate or interpretate on agressive moods like her on this)... I don´t know, I´m just saying...

[SickForest]

I haven´t hear the whole concerto but seriously was she that bad? I mean came on... I´m not an expert although I consider myself to understand at a very profound way the music, at least Prokofiev´s and I really don´t find this so ugly. I think she may have disorganized or dislocated the energy on some notes and it accelerates the tempo in some parts(she needs to listen more the messenge of the music so internalize the frustration, pain and depression of the movement and less to use...

[graverol1]

Excellente performance technique! L'interprètation a besoin d'être murie!

[jezmuff]

Could it be any more abismal? Female and Asian? Women can't play Prokofiev. Asians can't play anything post 1820. Don't bother disagreeing with me as I'm not coming back.

[NOSEhow2LIV]

This poor girl, altho she has all the fingers, seems to have no idea of music. Thankfully she'll be off the circuit by the age of twenty, replaced by dozens of younger finger-maniacs who play 10 times faster.............who cares? What an ugly mess.

[Ellinidara]

@NOSEhow2LIV ....her pianoplaying is very mechanical...music need much more dynamic sense of phrasing and expression,but anyway is a talent...

[NeRienII]

She was very disappointed after not being one of the six winners in the Queen Elisabeth. That is too bad, I was really impressed by her performance, but Europeans tend to favor the Russian interpretations. (Notwithstanding the American win in the violin competition last year). Anyway, she taught me to love this piece and I wish her well in her career. . . (Katchum, El Bacha was one of the judges in Brussels, apparently he agreed with your assertion . . .)

[katchum]

I'm still under the impression she plays it too elegant and in tempo. I want to see hatred, doubt, despreation and depression. I also don't like the rhythm in the cadenza for piano. She plays some of the notes in triplet while it says in the score that you should play it with dotted rhythm. cfr. El Bacha plays it right.

[katchum]

I'm wondering if she has improved since then till now. Let's show us how you are doing on the 2010 Queen Elisabeth competition. Live this week to be seen on the video on demand site of Queen Elisabeth Belgium website.

[AllegroDemolish]

powerful and sometimes very clear, esp for a girl.

but seriously, wrong tempo, i mean very inconsistent tempo...

and too much pedal

[AllegroDemolish]

powerful and sometimes clear, esp for a girl.

but seriously, wrong tempo, i mean very inconsistent tempo...really.

and too much pedal...

[katchum]

I thought the ending could be much greater when she would play it more slowly, you can see she's ahead of the orchestra. She should start slowly at the D chord and introduce the orchestra.

[fredericfranc]

Mr.fartlestucks, very astute comments there, she gives it a nice try.

[ericfontainejazz]

awesome!!!!

[Tsachir]

Dear Clair

Technically you are wonderful, no doubt.

But you must remember that speeding does not give you extra points. Your cadenza sounds to me more like noise than music. There are plenty of other recordings of this concerto on YouTube which are much more pleasant to the ear. (No one plays it faster than you). Try to relax while playing. You seem so tense.

You are gifted with heavenly technique. This is the first ingredient in making music. But technique by itself is not music.

[sodoomia]

it's funny to read these elitist pricks think they know shit about emotion or whatever when they can't actually see it just because the piece is played faster than usual.

[boombox10002]

then there are the down-to-earth dumb pricks like you who have not a clue!

[CarlPetersson1981]

This is THE most demanding piano concerto from the technical aspect. Anyone with complatins should shut up if they can't play it themselves.

[zurzica51]

oh Claire.. OMG :O GREAT!

[loves2listen]

this woman plays breathtaking! i've rarely heard so much expression in this cadenza. in my opinion she lets the piano sing in a very special way.

[1944fernando]

interpretación grandiosa de esta señorita.  Por favor puede alguien poner los restantes movimientos?

[ssprokofiev]

I'd like to know who classicicon is--he or she should post more performances of this young woman. She is spectacular--simply spectacular! She will go very far--mark my words.

[superstition222]

Overly compressed phrasing dilutes the grandeur. While there are large pauses in parts, others are compressed.

She misses the point of the music and plays it as if it's a technical exercise. This is disappointing since she's obviously a very accomplished performer technically.

[Hervinbalfour]

This performance technically very articulate. However this interpretation doesn't "breath". Yes she plays it fast and she creates a powerful tone. But she looses the majectic power and grandeur of this piece by playing it so fast. I still think she is highly talented. I personally prefer Anna Vinnitskaya's interpretation here on youtube.

[Tsachir]

I fully agree with you about this performance. My favorite interpretation is of Yuja Wang, also availabe here on YouTube.

[vonPunki]

'Authority' easily beats emotion, theatrics and speed and for that you must turn to Yuja Wang here on Youtube at age 19. Her recent superstar collaboration with Abbado has set the standard for Prok #3

[obiwan88]

I agree, Anna Vinnitskaya's interpretation is, according to me ^_^, the best in recent recorded history of this piece...

[ChrisWatch]

The orchestra looks completely bored.

[Thomas010781]

I see it ever and ever again. But I still can´t believe it. In my lifetime I had never heard a pianist like Claire. This Concerto by Prokovieff is a very important gift to all of us, but this interpretation, is the achievement of all.

[Thomas010781]

It´s just unimaginable and overwhelming. You will get the highest place in heaven!!! Adorable!

[sophisticat1725]

God bless you! Absolutely outstanding. Nothing comes close to this. Be proud and Bravo!!!!

[fionasapple]

i don't like people who sway at the piano while playing Prokofiev. It's just not that type of music and Prokofiev himself would prolly agree.

[102938z]

You're right that Prokofiev was absolutely anti-romantic (as in Chopin, Schumann, and Liszt), but he was far from anti expressive. The reason I used the word "impassioned" in my comment was because I believe that this is some of the most impassioned music ever written. It is simply not sentimental, sappy, or lovingly romantic (and for someone like me, that can be glorious, take the Rach 3 for example). Prokofiev 2 is darkness and brooding incarnate, and by no means dry.

[roo159]

the beauty of youtube and the web is that you can scroll down the screen or work on other stuff and still just listen ! - i agree, it is distracting.

[obiwan88]

Perhaps you could try Vinnitskaya's interpretation on youtube.

Personally, it totally changed my view on how Prokofiev could sound. Before that, I suspect my views were similar to yours... ^(^

[fionasapple]

i'll check her out. i've heard her play scarbo i think. it is not about how who plays Prok though. it's about wt he stands for as a composer. You need to remember that this is not Rachmaninoff's or Chopin's music.

[102938z]

WHY HAVE WE NOT HEARD MORE FROM THIS WOMAN????

She's unbelievable!!! That might be the most impassioned Prokofiev 2 cadenza I've ever heard!

Please upload more!

[thatiswrong]

Agreed ^

[KearneyPiano]

i LOVE claire :D shes amazzing :D:D

[solveaproblem]

I had a tear in my eye from 4:12. It's so tragic

[Justineagle]

After listening to so many versions, this is still my favorate. This is exceptional, one of its kind.

[John11inch]

You would honestly take this garbled pile over Gutierrez, Bolet and Janis?

[jflore0770]

very able technically, but i dont know if its the sound quality or did she miss a lot of the chords in the left hand here? I love this concerto, big and difficult, and unsatisfying in the end... love that..

[ssprokofiev]

She missed nothing. This is one of the most accomplished performances of this titanic cadenza one is ever likely to hear! Bravo!

[fartlestucks]

Has anbynody nodicte hoyw teh spelgin off

zzSukSukSuxzSukSukSuxzzzzz gtes mcuh lecss iinntrsetgin adn lses amsusign wneh hih gte agrny? Whoppa titty...

[fartlestucks]

DRSexSexSex,ther's a pissibolity U hav'nTurd this SONG(sorry,everyone sez it!)ever plopery plo,henze yr "uglyth".*2 i'd still maintain that anyone ooze pent a tit of bime in consevatoires worldwide and in music bizness NOSE that ther arse O many technically brilliant&fast players,many girls,of curse.Some "lucky"ones get opportunities,and wy not.But speed doesn't always make the most intresting listening.If i recunt a fairytale,for example, wd it be mor exciting shouted at double speed?

[z666z666z]

fartekstucks... but are in a big confusion.

Nobody here ( at least not me) are fantic s of speed.

Speed is good when don`t defromated the piece, when you understand evrything the pianist plays and when everything is in the right place.

So teher is a perfect speed. The perfect speed of Rubinstein is not the perfect speed of Horowitz, or Pollini, or Argerich, or Goulda............all them great.

Do you get it?

666

[z666z666z]

just close your ass ( sorry ...your mouth) .

fucking ignorant.

666

[fartlestucks]

Not ugly concerto but very ugly & noisy playing. Certainly she has huge competence and speed but for the moment lacks ability to take it beyond the primary level. The tragic nobility and great architectural span are totally absent. Musically disorganised for now, she'll surely improve and give us something really worth hearing later on.I must disagree that she's"unique".Hundreds of ever-younger pinists play increasingly fast&capably.Very few become artits!

[z666z666z]

Hello fartlestucks........if you like this ( horrible for me) concerto, it´s OK. Taste ios personal.

But.......ugly and noisy playing? Are you a deaf?

You disagree she is unique? if you think it just tell me a pair of names of a women pisnists her age like her?. I know onñy oen very close to her: yuja Wang.

"Hundred of pianists"...LOL.....Ahhhh and i forgot among your" Hundred of pianists tell my a pair with that state of the art technique........

666

[Dennischek]

@fartlestucks you should've said , ugly and noisy recordning not her playing.

[SteinwayArtist]

@fartlestucks I totally disagree. This is extremely fine playing and any competent musician would immediately recognize this.

[Laroling]

What's up with all the 666's? Must I flee? :o I like it. Claire Huangci is such a talent. I must say this concerto is not my favorite. However 2 thumbs up for her.

[z666z666z]

Nobody put in discusion the superlative talente of Huangci. She already is a big pianist. I just complaint about that ugly music. A simple as that.

I donñt know why everybdy now want to play that difficult anf ugly concerto. i hope (nor please) everybody decide now to play the horribel (left hand) 4th Prok concerto. Juts the 1st and 3erd. ..........

666

[beaver7756]

I'm sorry but I have to say that I disagree with you about the fact that this is an ugly music. Prokofiev is special, of course, but when you pay attention to each and every note, you find out that the harmonies are beautiful. That's why it's Prokofiev that brought the revolution of Russian Music.

[z666z666z]

You dind´t understand why i wrote beacver77334.

I love Prokofieff music. BUT not the whole production (even from BAch) is necesarilly beutiful. Añways are some few works which are not perfect or beatiful....even ugly.

Anyway in this case it depends on your personal taste.

FOr my personal taste this music is ugly, and mostly shows only the tecnical side of the pienist. Piansitically ...of course is very interesting, but not musically as teh 1st and 3rd concertos.

666

[etude12]

Yes, I agree, in that it's not 'easy listening', but I just love the raw emotions that get thrown at you from every facet of this piece- the whole idea of modern music (as with modern art, poetry and even some architecture) is to evoke all different emotions, and, what with the wars and so on that dominate this era, that emotion is usually deranged anger.

[beaver7756]

ok sorry I didn't understand you that way.

[yukily07]

Sensational elegance. She has, behind a figure of a mellow, sweet, and diligent wunderkind, a natural born mathematician who will probably not change in its essence nor alter in its absolute perfection. She IS a musician.

[zongorarichter]

Certainly yukily07

Here she looks "Older" than he is, maybe b ecause her behaving on the "Scenario" is so elegant and sober.

I insist: In some expressive places she does some unnecesary things with her arms, but it is not a real problem. I think she can solve it in a minute if she wants.

That: "a natural born mathematician" is true. I don´t know how concious she is about the extraordinaty technique she has. My great curiosity is if she learned it from a great teacher >>>>>>>

[zongorarichter]

>>>>>>>or if it is natural born gift. I am very curious about it, becuase as far as i know she studied with Gary Graffman who is very concern about technique, BUT what is contradictory is the fact the lang lang studied with him too, and his technique of course is horrible and completely NO rational and of course too: Antimathematic.. :-) Despite his ability to play very difficult things in a very unmusical way mostly. Well, he is a poor clown. Claire Huangci is a different level of pianist.

666

[z666z666z]

To much pianist for this ugly concerto.

666

[ArturoAlejandroS]

I prefer concert number two of Prokofiev than the third.Great!!

[z666z666z]

Well Arturoalejandro....taste is personal......i don´t blame you. Despite i think this is an ugly concerto. My favorite ones are the 1st and the third. 4th is just too dificult and to ugly at the same time. The fifth one is considered from the intelectual point of view the best, but unfortunately it doesn´t "Sound".

666

[zongorarichter]

Hello.

Is somebody the moderator of this link?

Please make know it, becuause i would like to send him (her) a very important private post.

Thanks in advance.

zongorarichter

[frateramadeus]

continuing.....talking about you.

So..is good when you get advise from somebody about your "Bussines". also try to get advise to a different person to get a wider idea aboout how your "Bussines" is going. I am a person who believe in ture talent, and i believe you have it, But a little changing of attitude, could be very positive for you. Also avoid some unnecesary "Expressions" you made sometimes(fortunately are few), to establish a difference between a mere "Emotive"... to continue....

[frateramadeus]

continuing...pianist and a "lady".

Well i had to rush to get the "Shinkansen" becuase tomorrow i have a rehearsal and when i was loocking to congratulate you, i can´t found you. Well ..just to complete. You got the second place. I think it was just (could be the 2st too..who cares..), but is any justice in given to Alice Burla the 6th place? And is possible they gave the 1st place to Sederenko who played so ugly Tchaikowsky 1st concerto? Ugly under any point of view: ...to continue..

[frateramadeus]

continuing.....a guy with a terrible technique so stiff. he played not mistakes almost, but his complete playing was a mistake..........so blurry, unclear, terrible use of pedals, clampling the floor with his foot, etc. just terrible, but he got the first place......Well in my opinion the third place should be assiganed to Wang Shijun. and the last one to Sederenko or Yuan Jye.

Unfortunately competitions are not the real indicator about how is your playing. ...to continue....

[frateramadeus]

continuing...continuing.....a guy with a terrible technique so stiff. he played not mistakes almost, but his complete playing was a mistake..........so blurry, unclear, terrible use of pedals, clampling the floor with his foot, etc. just terrible, but he got the first place......Well in my opinion the third place should be assigned to Wang Shijun. and the last one to Sederenko or Yuan Jye.

to continue....

[frateramadeus]

continuing...Well, that´s the life. Anyway my sincere congratulations.

Unfortunately competitions are not the real indicator about how is your playing.

Just try to do your best.......specially musically.

Warmest regards.

frateramadeus

[frateramadeus]

Well. Dear Claire: If you are reading this comments about you... Take a note of this: I was invited for a person "X" to "Observe" the Hamamatsu "Piano Academy". I went Saturday afternoon and i remain until this evening. I was watching all the 6 finalists.

The best of all 6 were by far: You and the amazing 11 year old "Alice Burla". Alice Burla played a beautiful incredible 1st Chopin concerto under any point of view...technically and musically...

to continue..

[frateramadeus]

continuing.... you played an amazing 2nd Prokofieff concerto, but a question to you: ¿Why do you choose that concerto?...well, despite i really don´t like too much that work, it shows from you only (or mostly) you technique, but not some of the nice things you make( as an example) in the Chopin etude Op10 No2, or Feux Follets, or Bach-Busoni Chaconne. I make this observation, because many people(included some of the jury and not only from this competition) who i know, think of you..to continue..

[kikkom4n]

who the hell are you talking to? claire didn't post this video.

[osotriv]

I have read the newspaper, I live in China and Claire will have a concert with Yundi Li and Lang Lang on August for the Olympics. Looking forward for it!

[beyond9001]

really!??! wow!!

[frateramadeus]

If Claire thinks in appear togheter with those two ( one of them not more than a media average pianist, and the other one a real clown) definitive she needs to change her manager or representant.

What is that? The lady and the two beasts? Come on.

frateramadeus

[ytpiano7]

Once more appears the "ytpiano9" the Spammer.

I am ytpiano7 be aware and don´t mistake that identity with mine. He also belong to the "Gang" of homosexuals who back lang Lang and hate any normal woman.

ytpiano7

[ytpiano7]

Once more appears the "ytpiano9" the Spammer.

I am ytpiano7 be aware and don´t mistake that identity with mine. He also belong to the "Gang" of homosexuals who back lang Lang and hate any normal woman.

ytpiano7

[John11inch]

Extremely powerful performance, although like a couple others have said, despite the ferocity I think some of the drama is actually lost in this semi-indulgent technical show-off. I always root for her in her competitions though! Always original interpretations, which I may not agree with every time (like this time), but you have to respect that.

[ytpiano7]

Of course John. She is extremely gifted and she had a very good musical training. Plus all of this a thing which many people don´t care about it today is the behavior of the artist. She looks like a Quenn, like Michelangelli looked like a Lord. Compare with Lang Lang.....he looks like a Monkey or pig, or a misture of both two. Coming back to Huangci She is complete, technically and musically. As you, i don´t like too much this version, But in general terms you see what kind of pianist she is.

[ytpiano7]

Only a supreme ignorant can thing in "Boring" watching and (specially) listening this great version.

ytpiano7

[ivionday]

i love prokofiev

[parule]

Wow!!! = world of wonders!

This was just awesome!

[choti007depuchamadre]

she is incredible , she is the virtuoso of the future

[HURLEYP]

What on earth are you talking about? She already is a virtuoso, just in case you hadn't noticed!

[animalmother1065]

choti007 already said she was a virtuoso... "she *is* the virtuoso of the future."

[Luritzb]

Love ya, Claire. You're goinna be a star!

[johnayumi]

sounds like a mess.not bad recording

[cdpiano27]

Rushing, Rushing in the Cadenza. It ruins the drama. Just playing fast.

[ssprokofiev]

Her interpretation is excellent. It's unusual to hear the cadenza taken at her tempo because so few pianists have the technique to do so. Her performance is thrilling, not fast; it is insightful, not reckless or slapdash.

[ytpiano7]

No. Is not "Just opalying fast" One thing is you don´t like her tempo, but another very differnet is to say about such a big pianist, "Just palying fast"

ytpiano7

[HURLEYP]

Michael Ponti had the same problem. He had 50 piano concerti he could pull out of his arse at the drop of a hat....but they all sounded the same.

Have a listed to his Tchaikowsky P.C. # 3. Then compare Sviatoslav Richter's reading of the same work!

[ffiish]

Certainly an amazing talent, but needs to learn about time and space. Too much of the cadenza is sped through far too quickly - no time taken over the tenderer moments, no space through the monumental moments. 3/5.

[memorioso]

Miss Huangci is Richter incarnate. How can a 16-yr. old understand Prokofiev so well? Plus, the breadth and quality of her other interpretations is also outstanding. Listen for yourself by checking out the other videos on this site. And witness the birth of a true musical genius.

[ytpiano7]

I don´tt think so. Her techinique is by far more rational than Richter technique. it doesn´t put ( of course) Richter as a less level artist. Richter is Richter. What i want to say is this girl is very different than him in many things. She is closer to Argerich, and less agressive sometimes with a touch of Michelangeli refinement and Pollini Cerebrality.... Of course concerning to Prokofieff alone she have points of coincidence with him.

ytpiano7

[memorioso]

You may want to rethink your judgment after listening to the video for "Bach (Piano Arr. Busoni) Violin Partita No.2 Chaconne". If that doesn't sound like a 40 yr. old Richter then I'll have to conclude that her looks have introduced an element of bias in my appreciation (o:

[ytpiano7]

Uhmmm...i already listened the chacconne played by her. It is beautiful. I like from her effort to make it very polyphonic, contrary to many satndadr versions. I already listen her non trascription Bach and is not very nica, like most pianists trained in USA who play a bach very similar to Russian conpception....long lines...contradictory ornamentation. etc. I studiede also in NY but my teacher was a succesor of Nikolaieva and she allowed me to play a very barrouqe Bach (to comtinue)

[ytpiano7]

which means not to think in a romantic way doing long prhases, romantic ornaments, few polyphonic dialog, etc. but the whole contrary thing. Plus a real use of piano as an instrument, an at the same time to avoid imitation of cembalo..in other words: No monkey job. bach in general terms is very bad played in USA Germany and Russia. Best Bach context you cna find this days in Italy and France.

ytpiano7

[memorioso]

Nevertheless you're right, ytpiano: technically she's not Richter (perhaps no one ever will). I see a connection because she's already performing such an eclectic repertoire (very much like Richter did at a much later stage in his career). Also because most every performance by Miss Huangci shows a keen artistic sensibility and highly polished technique. Very much the mark of any extraordinary young artist, but without the bang-bang that even Richter was guilty of at times.

[mayorde18]

16 years old people have a good understanding of music... why not??

[pianogirl98]

What a wonderful performance!

[parule]

T_T

[goldenagepianist]

I don't know this pianist, assuming she's someone famous...does anyone agree with me that excess pedal and unsteady tempo here?? just a different opinion...

[brozors]

yes, i agree. she's not very famous, she's still a student and has done very well in competitions. for her to even play this concerto itself is no small feat.

[sagara89]

She's still a student. I think she's still 16 years old.

[ssprokofiev]

You discern excess pedaling and unsteady tempo? I totally disagree. Ms. Huangci's playing is brilliant throughout this titanically difficult cadenza. From this snippet, I would say she may very well play this concerto better than most major pianists who have performed it.

[ytpiano7]

Excess pedal?

Not even myself since i am a great detractor of pedal abuse. Her pedal FOR THIS WORK i`s perfect.

ytpiano7

[iwanttowatchsomethin]

The recording is definitely not ideal. Probably this creates the sustain that you are hearing rather than poor pedaling technique of the pianist. The same acoustical problems might also blur some articulations that lead one to suppose the tempi are sloppy. Others seem to be able to hear her performance through this bath of sound. I am amazed at this performance.

[301250]

Ashkenazy, Beroff, KW Paik et al. have done this but this woman tears them all to shreds with her phenomenal playing here...so far, if only we could hear the rest of this cnrto. sd goh (malaysia)

[ytpiano7]

Exactly. She is just phenomenal, and a real phenomenon from technical and musical points of view.

Maybe is the new Argerich or something similar. She is the first pianist who change my point of view about oriental pianists.

ytpiano7

[Luritzb]

Bravo, Claire!

[IloveAlexisBledel689]

I'm learning this Cadenza, it's incredibly difficult.

thanks for posting!

[lopper12345]

watching her play all those super-difficult Liszt/Prokofiev/Chopin pieces is fun, but I would also enjoy to see her play a complete mozart or beethoven cycle. she is obviously a mega-talent. anyone knows when she is going to play in New York?

[Darklord12356]

I really don't know much about piano, but just from watching the Prok. 2 and the Brahms 2nd...the Prokofiev looks much more difficult.

[fullyfatty]

I repeat this video several times and see, BROVO is all I can say. There is a place she shifted the tempo suddenly, I wonder is it suppose to be.

To me, the asian violinist is very funny to me. She sometimes was amazed by the pianist, sometimes was just whatever and not focusing.

[fullyfatty]

can I ask, is this concerto harder or the Rach 3?

[beyond9001]

haha, it's hard to compare it like that...

what IS known is that the cadenza of the prokofiev pc2 mvt1 is deemed at least ONE of the most difficult cadenzas written for piano

overall, prokofiev concertos are definitely up there in difficulty

of course then you have Islamey Fantasie Orientale, which could potentially top them in technical difficulty

[ssprokofiev]

Horacio Gutierrez, who plays both concertos, claims the Rach 3 is the most difficult concerto. However, Yefim Bronfman, who also plays both, claims the Prokofiev Second is the most difficult. Take your pick.

[coolking4life]

You cannot pick just like that. They both have their difficulties. But, I would say Brahms 2nd is probably the most difficult.

[ssprokofiev]

The Brahms 2nd is considered difficult, but few pianists would rank its difficulties on the same level as those of the Prok 2 or Rach 3.

[samplesowoopass]

Xenakis "Synaphai" is the most difficult piano concerto. Bartok No. 2 and Prokofiev No. 2 are the most technically difficult of the more standard rep, assuming you don't count the Barber as standard.

[Troubleshooter125]

While we're talking about it, check out Gutierrez, performing this concerto with Neeme Järvi on Chandos ... it COOKS.

But listening to Claire lay it down ... Horacio has little to teach her! I mean DAMN!

[beyond9001]

Gutierrez is teh pwn :)

I also have a liking for Toradze's more unconventional approach to the piece :)

[strider881]

this girl is amazing

[Pianoloverok]

Excellent!!!

[shentri]

How hard is this mvt?

[IloveAlexisBledel689]

his best piano concerto, I specially love the middle section of the 2nd movement

[vocalpianist]

amazing.... Her technique is indescribable, its scary how great it is. Although this interpretation is very very good. Please let us hear the whole thing!! I would love to hear her play the 4th movement.

[MguitarL]

This performance leaves one searching for superlatives -

Claire Huangci is unique.

[zummingsky]

oh my god! i am totally mindblowed :O

[joaquim]

the climax...my godddd...

[pianogirl714]

holy crap...

[filthysoap]

holy shit...

[ssprokofiev]

Good grief! Can't we hear the whole thing? This is astounding! Young Claire Huangci has a superhuman technique and interpretive sensibilities of great maturity. She is simply magnificent! No one plays the Prokofiev Second cadenza with her intensity and power. No one!

[Justineagle]

I'm a fan of prokofiev's music. This is one of my favorate. Among all I listened to in past 30 years, her playing is most unique, direct, passionate, powerful.....

This yound girl is quite an individual. she brings out prokofiev's style, music drama, deliberaty, authority. Great performance! ASTONISHING!!!!

[loves2listen]

What a fantastic performance. this woman is awesome!

[Etudes]

do you have the whole performance?

could you upload it somewhere?