Yuja Wang performs Kapustin's Toccatina from his 8 Concert Etudes Op. 40 at the VF 2022

Yuja Wang performs Kapustin's Toccatina from his 8 Concert Etudes Op. 40 at the Verbier Festival 2022

Nikolai Kapustin, 8 Concert Etudes, Op. 40
No. 3: Toccatina

Yuja Wang — Pianist

Concert recorded at Salle des Combins (Verbier, Switzerland), on July 26, 2022.

© Idéale Audience

#YujaWang #VerbierFestival #Piano


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[averageclassicalmusicenjoyer]

Having heard Kapustin, Shan Shan Sun, Yeol Eum Sun and even Hamelin play this piece, you have to admit none of them have the sort of agility and truly effortless dexterity that Yuja shows in her recording of this piece. Like you might not agree with her take or her speed or her approach, but it’s really something physically and aurally incredible to witness.

[PaulGrootendorst]

her Fitbit watch must be registering 57 miles on that performance

[ivory]

im a big fan of Yuja Wang and THIS IS A TOTAL COMBO ATTACK FOR ME. LOVE

[ShaunakDesaiPiano]

For a more accurate version of what the piece should sound like at this speed, watch Shan Shan Sun’s rendition. I love Yuja Wang and her technique, but it’s clear that in this encore performance, she was seeking to impress with her speed rather than emphasise technique.

[jaimebondoc]

The precision and finger strength. Out of this world!

[jurglietha]

Alle diese jungen Virtuosen überspielen das Stück tempomässig! Das rauscht über den Hörer hinweg wie ein Wasserfall.
Man höre die Einspielung des Komponisten: dort stimmt ALLES: Tempo, Akzente, Groove, die melodischen und harmonischen Zusammenhänge werden hörbar - man beginnt unweigerlich zu tanzen!
Diesen jungen Klavierlöwen möchte man dringend empfehlen, einige Semester Jazz-Piano zu studieren.

[AsiaticKlassic]

What an amazing performance as response to the encore. Yuja Wang plays as she is the jazz pianist every classical pianist wants to be, as well as she is the classical pianist every jazz pianist wants to be.

[z.d.davidson]

To the people saying it is played "too fast" need to remember that it is a virtuoso etude, not a jig. If Kapustin could rip like Wang, of course he would...but no one rips like Wang.

[Tadano_Hitohito]

Gran turismo 5 spec 2.0 flashbacks
Best version of the song, idk why the comments are pissed about her playing at this tempo, it's really good

[Silvermoth_]

Her head smashes have always been top-tier. Piano skills are pretty good too.

[amaurylopez]

Every time I see her, Ms Wang is more amazing than before 👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼thank you ¡

[joseleaci]

This is a rhythm in Gismonti style. Beautiful

[NGwIK]

This musician feeling impressiona: em bom português! Gut sehr Arbeit!!

[tobiasmaa]

musicality lost in virtuosity.... I love the play of Yuja Wang, she's one of the most brilliant piano players of our time. But this way to play the Toccatina robs it of the spirit of Kapustin. Get a look of his own interpretation here on youtube and you know what i mean.

[melaniamonicacraciun]

She is amazing indeed, hoping she will never get tired performing and having fun to entertain us, fans are always so happy to enjoy such great performances oh big big like & big oceanic adorable Yuja, that's what fans are for

[bc]

Score Tempo = 132. Yuja tempo = somewhere in the 170s. Busted.

[mistertornado]

She's playing it too fast - hard to hear some of the nice undertones and phrasing. I really like Kapustin's own recording of this piece.

[tziranpianist]

Why so fast? The marks and voices? It's not a career of velocity... it's KAPUSTIN!!

[gavincannon]

I love Yuja. Her playing is impeccable but this interpretation has lost the essence of the piece just to prove "dramatic speed." I can't play it, so I'm no expert but the composer's recordings are out there and those of his students too. We've lost what makes this piece truly difficult, the syncopations, the melody in the baseline, the harmony and of course the dynamics.

Brava on showing your advanced technique none the less. It is amazing to watch.

[jrwtalbot]

Too fast by far, even faster than when I heard her play it as an encore at the Barbican in London about 5 years ago. If you want to hear the notes then seek out a performance by a then 16-year-old called Lauren Zhang as part of her recital in the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. She plays it as music, not a firework display.