hr-Sinfonieorchester

The audience applauded thunderously even as the orchestra played the postlude to Chopin's Piano Concerto, something that doesn't happen often in Warsaw. But it did in 2021 at the famous Chopin Competition, with the future winner at the piano: Bruce Liu, then 24.

Since then, the Paris-born, Montreal-raised pianist has been considered the first choice for Chopin and his virtuoso Piano Concertos – while accomplishing the feat of never equating virtuosity with showmanship. Bruce Liu's playing is remarkably relaxed and nobly elegant. This provides a counterpoint to the „ballet of the street“ that Igor Stravinsky also created in Paris with his „Petrushka“. It is rough and demonstratively excited, with the puppet Petrushka leading a hard life on the theater boards of the fairground. His movements are wooden, but his sensitive nature is soft. This program is one big celebration, sometimes coarse and striking, sometimes full of esprit and dance-like verve. (hr-Sinfonieorchester)