Yunchan Lim's Uncompetitive Competition-Winning Rachmaninoff 3rd Concerto

Comments · 108

• CH

  @christianpaarup · 1 year ago

  Marin was all over the orchestra in rehearsals the entire week of the Cliburn finals to play less, less, less. She made unhappy faces and gave many a dramatic “play less” hand to every section of the orchestra constantly (!) throughout the week. Her primary concern was that the soloist be heard effortlessly above the orchestra because it is a piano competition. Understandable mission, but Bass Hall is FWSO’s home—the orchestra knows how to play to it and how to balance with a soloist. With MA’s management, there was a baked in trepidation by the end of the week, no doubt. It wasn’t fatigue… So that the recording balance heavily favors the piano is not at all surprising. Last comment: the last week of VCIPC involves several pianists and several concertos. Each pianist gets a single “rehearsal”, which is more like a run through. There was at least one other Rach 3 that week. Different interpretation(s), of course. So with only one run through, multiple interpretations to keep straight between players, etc., it is quite a challenge for all 80 (?) musicians to be on the same page with conductor every step of the way. Just some thoughts from someone who happened to be present during it 🙂

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• GR

  @gregm5775 · 1 year ago

  Given his youth, I am impressed by Lim's ability to portary technique along with sensitivity -- even tenderness. I too look forward to his studio recordings.

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• ML

  @mleocon · 1 year ago

  The sound on the YT video of the performance is a bit flat but more balanced than this disc: the dangers of modern mixing technology,  which permits digital isolation of sound elements,  a la Peter Jackson's Get Back documentary. Between modern mixing tech and pitch correction, much mischief may be afoot in recorded music.

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• JO

  @johnbanach3875 · 1 year ago (edited)

  You are so right.  He's the biggest star on his label now.  They could and should make a proper recording.

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• GE

  @geoffharris9396 · 1 year ago

  I reckon Alsop reminded Lim of a quote from the king (or rather Queen) of bling himself,  Liberace,  who once said,   "Too many young performers have forgotten that the most important part of show business is not the second word,  it's the first.  Without the show there's no business."

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• BA

  @BaenaTomas · 1 year ago

  I’m waiting for his studio recording. He is a very promising talent and i know he’ll do great things in the future. His chopin studies are also top notch. This is not a great recording, but i am waiting for the studio. I am sure it won’t be anything short of amazing.

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• WA

  @wardropper · 1 year ago (edited)

  Sounds like it&apos;s time for another remastering... I&apos;m sure we can get the orchestra back to its full-bodied gorgeousness at some point.<br>I very much agree that the recording is technically suboptimal, but it still sounds to me that the orchestra&apos;s playing is actually really excellent. Like Dave, I just wish I could hear it better.<br>All other considerations aside, we shouldn&apos;t forget how young Yunchan is. If he records this work in ten or twenty year&apos;s time, I&apos;m sure it won&apos;t be the same performance. One does mature, after all.

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• DA

  @danielo.masson353 · 1 year ago

  The way you describe the world of piano music fandom, jumping and screaming 😂

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• TA

  @Taosravenfan · 1 year ago

  The complaints you have seem to be more about Alsop’s conducting and the orchestra. <br><br>I saw this on YouTube and was overwhelmed. He’s really young to be this great a musician. He’s going to grow over the next couple decades. I hope I’m here to listen.

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• CH

  @christianjimenez2551 · 1 year ago

  I believe than the euphoria about this version is all about seeing it in video as Yuncham Lim is really engaging during the performance. Listened without video, there are tons of amazing performances. We&apos;ll have to wait to see if he does another version, doubt it.

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• HA

  @harrybmichell · 1 year ago (edited)

  &quot;Woodwinds sound like they&apos;re in another county, and Texas has big counties, lots of them, believe me&quot; has me cackling

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• MI

  @minecraft8846 · 1 year ago (edited)

  The competition certainly didn’t record the performance intending for it to be released for posterity. There’s also something to be said about the very very limited time for rehearsal between soloist and orchestra. The orchestra can barely keep up in the 3rd movement God’s sake!<br>You’re absolutely right it was a souvenir of a moment, and I doubt if he were to make a studio recording will ever live up to the excitement of this live recording.<br><br>All that being said, I return to the performance from time to time because I don’t think anyone plays with as much command of the piece while leaving space for the emotional moments, which is a general gripe I have with Argerichs playing.

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