THE
BEST & RARITIES
YUJA
WANG, Piano
Deutsche
Grammophon 4826653
(CD + DVD) / ****1/2
The virtuosity of Chinese piano
phenomenon Yuja Wang is already well-known. This compilation rehashes
highlights from her earlier recordings, including pieces by Chopin, Brahms,
Ravel, Stravinsky, Ligeti and a platter of virtuosic transcriptions by
Horowitz, Cziffra and Volodos.
She tantalisingly offers four new tracks,
where digital dexterity is the main draw, from Scarlatti's Sonata in G major (K.455) to a live performance of Prokofiev's Toccata, where memories of a young
Martha Argerich are rekindled. That she is able to bring out the
tongue-in-cheek of Rachmaninov's Polka De
V.W. or the vertiginous runs in Art Tatum's version of Tea For Two is a testament to her versatility.
The accompanying DVD entitled Through The Eyes Of Yuja, a 49-minute
film by Anais and Olivier Spiro, provides glimpses of a young jet-setting
artist's life on the road. From Kansas City to Zurich and Caracas, she is seen
rehearsing and performing works like Prokofiev's Second Piano Concerto and
Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto.
She acquits herself as a modest and mostly
likeable personality, besides being a true servant of music. Fans of her
hyper-charged pianism (and low-cut outfits) will need no further encouragement
in acquiring this album.
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