Cliburn Competition 2025

[UMBS Go Blue]

I've only listened to (not watched) the first two nights of concerti with YouTube on in the background, and although I don't think any of the finalists had the "it" factor of Yunchan last time, Aristo stood out with his Mendelssohn. Not only technically commanding, but musically satisfying too. Probably the best interpretation I've heard so far, and that's saying a lot as I've listened to a few superstar pianists' recordings of it. I had a similar impression - thoughtful and well-rounded playing - after sampling and fast-forwarding through his Brahms.

I felt Starikov and Johnson were technically competent with their Bartok and Prokofiev, respectively, but as my childhood piano teacher would say, it's a good gamble to program something comparatively dissonant and less familiar with the masses because nobody will know if you're playing well, or right.

I felt Ozel's Tchaikovsky was OK, although there's a certain timelessness, flair, and tortuousness to that piece that's always satisfying, comforting, and cathartic. Wasn't impressed with Wang's Beethoven or Lynov's Liszt.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I would go to see any of the three regardless of what they’d play. (Even Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini or Tchaikovsky No. 1, but, please no.) I would go if Starikov played the Bartok or a piece I wanted to see. I’d love to hear Ozel in chamber music, too, but would pass on his Tchaikovsky #1, because Tchaikovsky #1. And I want his mom to cook me the favorite dish he described.

Sham reminds me of Nathan Chen in another way: I knew how great he was and loved his skating, but I still wanted the Olympic Team to be Brown, Torgashev, and Hiwatashi.(With Chen somehow getting an ISU “no denial” spot.)