Melodic Reunion | Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.2 (Yuja Wang) | Classical Music Reaction 

Damn this is a much better interpretation than her initial ones, she has improved a lot

I knew you'd come around on this one! Prokofiev and Yuja brought the roof down! What a performance! This work is a flaming jewel of the world..it'll burn right through your hand 🔥🔥

Yuja Wang is to our generation what Vladamir Askenazy was to the previous: THE APEX OF THE VERSATILE CLASSICAL PIANIST imho

I would kill to see her perform this live

One awesome characteristic of Prokofiev is his sense of humour. He's very good at making something both sinister and hilarious at the same time - case in point, the third movement of this concerto. (He's not the only Russian composer of his time who does the same thing.)

This piece is actually, like enjoyable... 👁️👄👁️

I'd love to see another melodic reunion with Martha Argerich's performance of Prokofiev's third piano concerto with the Singapore Symphony!

It's my favourite from all his 5 piano concertos. Took a little while and there was a time I did prefer number 3 but now I like this one best.

Prokofiev's 6th symphony is one of his greatest pieces and one of my favorite symphonies. I highly recommend it

The cadenza is one of the most mind-blowing thing I've seen

If you think you’re ready to listen to the craziest prokofiev can probably get, listen to his second symphony. I personally like the London philharmonic recording :)

I would highly suggest listening to prokofiev's 3rd piano concerto with him(prokofiev)playing the piano. Its absolutley perfect!❤❤❤

Thank you for getting this music to a wider audience. As a pianist and general classical lover, i wish the community were less snobby and more inviting. The only way to beat that is to expand the audience base! Thank you! We need more interested and talented neurons engaged. Yuja is obviously a unique talent where the one in 7 billion convergence of talent, training, intelligence matched with a motor neuron coordination unlike ever seen (and beauty) happens. A great artist to appreciate not only for her performance, but she breaks the mold of a typical pianist in her style and approach. That being said - though i love her performance and this is one of my favorite concertos - vladimir ashkenazy's recording of this piece imho (especially her execution of the cadenza) is my #1. And that being said - she IS amazing and its even more amazing to see how easy she makes this all looks. Brings tears to my eyes and the hairs on the back of my hair stand up when the orchestra comes back in after the cadenza!

I JUST listened to this concerto yesterday!!! What? The timing lol!

you should try prokofiev's 6th symphony; in my opinion it's his greatest work. the romeo and juliet suites (1-3) are also amazing!

I just got into this piece a month or so ago, and Prokofiev’s style really is just something have to get used to, and then it becomes so enjoyable and fun to listen to! Same with Shostakovich and both of his concerti in my experience. (I played the first movement of his 2nd last year.)

I remember this being your introduction to Prokofiev. lol Now that you are a seasoned listener, it's interesting to see you revisit it. As you say, you are finally "ready". This is BTW IMO the definitive interpretation. The orchestra is on point, really hitting the rhythmical accents. Yuja is as ever. She doesn't slow down at the cadenza like everyone else and musically, it makes more sense. Ridiculous performance all around. Glad to see your reaction, especially compared to your first time.

i would recommend listening to his 3rd piano concerto too, i pesonally like the 2nd more but the 3rd is less dark and easier to listen to for someone who doesnt listen to lots of prokofiev (or have you already reacted to the 3rd i dont remember)

Di una bellezza sconvolgente, pari al suo virtuosismo...nel mirabile capolavoro di Prokofiev

Watch her ravel's 'la valse' from the verbier festival. Best recording of that piece ever.

I love how Yuja speaks to the piano while she is playing

Great to see a newfound love for Prokofiev! For more stuff check out the 3rd Piano concerto, the 5th Symphony, The Romeo and Juliet Suite, Violin Concertos, and really any of the piano sonatas. If I were to pick out one or two works specifically I'd go with the 1st Violin concerto, which has a lot of that lyricism you commented on, and the 5th Symphony, which still has that lyricism but with lots of great contrasts and ingenious instrumentation. Enjoy your exploration of Prokofiev Gidi!

Maybe try listening to Prokofiev opus 12 because after you listen to them, Prokofiev feels a lot more understandable in a way.

Your taste in music evolves!! What a lovely reaction. Some pieces are like the view on the ocean - you dream, you like it immediately. But some pieces are like the ocean - with peculiar depths and so on. Nothing wrong with both of them, but that is it all about. Diving into the ocean is work, but you will be more than compensated for this.

Audiences and most critics did not like this concerto when it came out in 1913. The first recording would not be made until 40 years later when the great Cuban-American pianist Jorge Bolet played it. Hiis recording in 1953 with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is still considered a reference recording for this piece (the orchestra played much faster than in this version.) Prokofiev was a pianist himself and he did not make it easy on the soloist. This is probably on of his finest works - along with his Piano Concerto No. 3, Symphony No.5, and Romeo and Juliett. For sheer craziness - see his Toccata for piano (Op.11). The one on YT by Yakov Zak is my favorite.

Goes to show one has to listen to pieces multiples times... Your first reaction was quite disapoiting ahah but you did well on this one!! Not a fan of Yuja Wang though, it's not very deep, she's pressing buttons really fast :D

my fav piano concerto

the reason the piece has so many emotions, from almost romance to anger is because this piece was written for his friend who committed suicide unfortunately. Its a chaotic piece of his emotions

If you want a piece from him which may give you a hard time listening for the first time, I recommend his sixth sonata. It's definitely not very easy to listen to for the first time, but after a few listens, it's actually extremely enjoyable. I recommend lugansky's recording.

Take a listen to "Visions Fugitives" by Prokofiev.

Bro I got a question. Are you a professional musician yourself?

I don't know if you have but you should totally listen to prokofiev's 6th sonata

It really lacks drama. Not the integrety and intensity of Y. Avdeeva. Wang plays fast (especially in the candence) without being heavy or having the needed pulse. The orchestra part also isnt that convincing in my opinion. Sorry for blaming. Best regards.

Definitely my favorite pianist

So impressive

Lets go GIDI!!!

Listening to classics with you is the only outlet now after the tragedy in Moscow...thank you and all the virtuous people who are reading this

I'd love to hear your thoughts on his 5th symphony