Leeds International Piano Competition

[Ein Heldenleben]

Not, maybe, the most secure of fingerwork at times but my favourite of the Beethoven cadenzas for the first movement.

Are you talking about Beethoven 3 or 4 ? I thought some of the scales in 3 went a bit awry…

[Bryn]

Are you talking about Beethoven 3 or 4 ? I thought some of the scales in 3 went a bit awry…

4, to which I have just listened. Not too sure of some of the phrasing but, after all, Beethoven had second thoughts about aspects of this concerto, so what the Hell.

[Ein Heldenleben]

4, to which I have just listened. Not too sure of some of the phrasing but, after all, Beethoven had second thoughts about aspects of this concerto, so what the Hell.

All completely nitpicking and it might be the piano which sounds a bit harsh in the upper notes but I thought some of the scales sounded a bit “bashed out” almost too detached and not legato enough .He sounded a bit nervy in the first movement but ended well.

[Bryn]

Rather enjoying this Bartok. I did find some of playing a little perfunctory at times in the great slow movement, surely up there with that of Beethoven's 4th. However, this final movement is very much in the idiom.

[Bryn]

Rather enjoying this Bartok. I did find some of playing a little perfunctory at times in the great slow movement, surely up there with that of Beethoven's 4th. However, this final movement is very much in the idiom.

Ah, I'm not alone regarding the slow movement, it seems. Really hoping for the best with the Brahms 2.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I enjoyed to an extent all the performances. I think in terms of integration with the orchestra the Brahms was possibly the outstanding performance . Some beautifully phrased and characterised touches particularly in the last movement .But to be honest all the pianists had pretty much the same sound . The days when you could tell pianists apart seem long over.

[Braunschlag]

Alim Beisembayev - I’ll second that for first prize, great to hear Rachmaninov as a finals piece, almost thought he was going out of fashion. Could have done without the interminable gushing of Adam Gatehouse thanking everyone except the janitors and the obvious Medici plugs (but thanks Medici, you did a good job there but no thanks to the absent BBC).
Maybe there isn’t much to choose in sound terms Heldenleben, but the end result suited me.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Alim Beisembayev - I’ll second that for first prize, great to hear Rachmaninov as a finals piece, almost thought he was going out of fashion. Could have done without the interminable gushing of Adam Gatehouse thanking everyone except the janitors and the obvious Medici plugs (but thanks Medici, you did a good job there but no thanks to the absent BBC).
Maybe there isn’t much to choose in sound terms Heldenleben, but the end result suited me.

Yes it was a very good performance- very accurate technically . I just think the Brahms is so much more of a musical challenge .

[ucanseetheend]

Did anyone see Kathryn Stott introduce a guest . I think it was manager of Eric lu, as Orlando Bloom , his surname was Orlando. She had to be quickly corrected by Trelawney

[Nick Armstrong]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/19/leeds-piano-competition-finals-review-alim-beisambayev-a-worthy-winner

[Nick Armstrong]

Re Telly Not so far as I can see, . Been through next week on both two and four and can’t find anything .

There’s a 90 minute () highlight programme on BBC Four this Sunday evening:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00103dz

It follows a documentary about Dame Fanny W (been on before I think).

Having listened to all the concerto performances, it’s the Brahms I returned to for a second listen. That was top for me. The Rach/Pag was okay but…

I suppose there was some live electricity that we missed over the radio

[Ein Heldenleben]

There’s a 90 minute () highlight programme on BBC Four this Sunday evening:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00103dz

It follows a documentary about Dame Fanny W (been on before I think).

Having listened to all the concerto performances, it’s the Brahms I returned to for a second listen. That was top for me. The Rach/Pag was okay but…

I suppose there was some live electricity that we missed over the radio

Yep with you on the Brahms - some real sensitivity and poetry in the playing . The Rach Rhap is a bit of (hi quality ) flim-flam in comparison..though very well played. I hear the winner is doing a Master’s at the RCM

[ardcarp]

I seem to be at odds with most of you guys, but I was entranced by Kaito Kobayashi playing the Bartok concerto. I sensed exceptional empathy between conductor, orchestra and him. Why isn't the Bartok Concerto No 3 better known? It's glorious with especially lyrical lines.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I seem to be at odds with most of you guys, but I was entranced by Kaito Kobayashi playing the Bartok concerto. I sensed exceptional empathy between conductor, orchestra and him. Why isn't the Bartok Concerto No 3 better known? It's glorious with especially lyrical lines.

Yes wonderful. Just watching his performance of the slow movement now. That must be one of the most beautiful pieces written in the 20th century yet unlike the Ravel in G it rarely gets an outing. His performance of this was magical - the variety of touch, the constant use of silent finger changes to maintain legato without pedal blurring in the very simple chordal harmonies at the beginning. The delicacy in the scherzando passages - so much to learn from …he definitely has a career ahead.

[ardcarp]

That must be one of the most beautiful pieces written in the 20th century yet unlike the Ravel in G it rarely gets an outing

That is my opinion too, though I wasn't brave enough to say so! Yes, I also hope Kaito has a great career.