Yuja Wang: Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 54 [HD] 

I've been playing piano, classically trained, for almost 50 years. I believe I have earned the right to have an opinion as to the "greatness" of a pianist. Yuja is an incredibly gifted and passionate pianist whose interpretation of Rach 2 is refreshing. People who criticize either do not truly know or understand music from the perspective of the pianist or they are just cruel and jealous of the talent others possess. Many people may think people are merely born with a gift. Yes it's true there MUST be a certain amount of raw, natural talent involved - this is obvious - but what people don't see are the thousands and thousands of hours one practices to achieve greatness. It's a discipline most are never willing or capable of achieving. So a word to "critics"....once you are honestly able to say you spent your childhood, teen years, and many adult years hovering over a keyboard of other musical instrument, playing until your hands hurt, wanting to stop yet can't stop because the passion that compels you to play exceeds any physical pain or social price you pay for missing out on many things..hen you can have a platform and a right to criticize a true musician. Until then, you need to be very careful. When one lays their hands on a musical instrument to play in front of others- they are actually laying their soul bare to show the world. It's a vulnerability few can ever understand and certainly something small minded people can not respect.

I was gonna write three pages, but I'll try not to. I heard Ms. Wang, unexpectedly, playing with the NJSO at NJPAC. i always thought this Schumann concerto was hard; she made the music come through with no visible effort. And then, as proof that she is not a snob, she played us SIX (6) encores, including the incredibly difficult Horowitz Carmen Variations. It is incidental that she is physically superbly beautiful. If you ain't heard her, now that Covid is being overcome, you will have your chance. You'll be glad if you take it. I salute you, Ms. Wang, and I wish you all happiness.

This pianist is a gift for the humanity

No matter how you say it. We all just love this Girl ♥️

I absolutely am in LOVE with Yuja. Not only is she OBVIOUSLY enjoying her work, not only does she have a great mind, but she is ALSO BEAUTIFUL.

There are many excellent pianists worldwide. But she is the measure of all things. Nobody can play like she can and has her class. No one.

Her talent and personality creates an infectious joy that cannot be equalled today. Long may she continue to inspire so many music lovers.

I'm completely in love with this pianist, she has such controlled expression in her performance, it's like she's tamed her own fire to perfection.

Before Yuja starts actually playing the next movement at around 15:15 Yuja gently strokes the keys a few times and seems to maybe speak softly, pray perhaps or even converse with the Steinway - "Come, my beauty. Let us make magic!" Sometimes there's beautiful music even when Yuja is not actually playing. There are moments where I think Yuja's going to burst into tears .... or maybe it's really me. I shall be most fortunate if ever I can love the piano the way Yuja does.♥

A fantastic woman and pianist of her time and always for ever be. I love you Yuja.

Yuja Wang enjoys playing and she brings the joy to the listener. A fantastic woman

It is confirmed- Yuja Wang is a marvel of pianism--simply and always just giving music in this most unaffected and beautiful manner.

Beautiful performance!! .... Yuja can play anything.. Her magical fingers running across the keyboard with such intensity! .... This piece is truly very moving & emotional for me.... Great orchestra too. Thanks for posting! 😄🙏

wow i'm such a lesbian, shoutout to the phenomenal ms. wang. this has to have been one of the most stunning performances i have ever heard. she is truly gifted.

She is simple amazing, she's not near the top, she is the TOP. In my opinion, she is in a class all by her self ~ And the Orchestra did an outstanding job as well ~USA

She had a tear in her eye at the end of the first movement. I saw this again in her Rachmaninov 3rd. The emotion in her playing is beautiful.

Yuja is the rock goddess of classical piano! She brings virtuosity, energy, passion, elegant style, and attitude to classical music. I adore her and her music.

As a 70 year life time music aficionado, I've heard countless great artists, musicians, perform. Yuja Wang is one of the best, ever. She's truly amazing, a heaven sent treasure to humanity. Many thanks to Peter Chen for posting this and all the other Yuja Wang videos. Blessings always to Yuja Wang and to all her love and admire her.

Next to Rach2 this is one of the great piano concertos, and Yuja does it justice.

In all the videos I've watched of her playing, her facial expressions have touched me. She seems to be enjoying making such great music so much. I also like the way that at times she appears to be singing along with the notes. And it's all so apparently effortless. No histrionics, no exaggerated swaying, no looks of sublime agony. Just pure music making of the highest order.

Die wundervoll zu Musik gewordene Liebesgeschichte von Robert und Clara Schumann erzählt sich auf unübertrefflich geniale Weise durch zwei begnadete Musiker! Ein Hochfest für Ohren und Augen!

I love the way - reading all the comments - we have so many different opinions. Keeps us alive and thinking, and the nicest part of all is that we don’t go to war about any of it. Yippee for classical music 🎶!!!!

A pianist myself (though not where NEAR this level) I have had my eye on her for years. I thought she was a little "icy" when she was younger, which is to be expected. She has grown SO much as a musician, and her technique is (still) flawless. I would love to hear her play when she is in her 70's and see her progression. I'll be long dead by that point, but maybe I can listen in!

This lady is today the queen of the piano. I first saw this in a youtube performance of the Brahms 2d cto. and I was blown away. I've heard the Schuman a hundred times but this was totally unique and remarkable.

One of the greatest pianists of our time……I’ve listened to music over and over…..super and superb

captures the temperamental nature of schumann brilliantly. The euphoric highs, the tender moments, fortissimo bouts of angst. Yuja is painting with so many colors here. Tonality for tonality’s sake. And the muscle and technique to direct the music any way she wishes. Fun to watch.

Ms. Wang's ability to play with a combination of such delicacy, power and virtuosity is wonderful to behold. Her commitment to the music is so evident, and her interpretation so flawless, that this performance sets the standard for the concerto.

I stand in Breathless countenance. Its hard to breathe when she plays. It is a gut punch and a smack and a demand of love and a all over tumbling on a hill. She takes me on a wild ride and a oblivious time. Forcing me to dream and come back from that dream. And then accusing me of the dream. Then punching me back and forth. Oh my. Oh my. What a time to be of her musically. This is a perfection.

Leaves me with a sense of 'Where Have I Been All My LIfe?" when there are works of art such as these to publicly perform as a magnificent accomplishment.

Love Yuja Artistry. Touch, voicing, precision.

This performance between the pianist, conductor, and the orchestra is musical lovemaking at its zenith. Another absolutely mesmerizing performance by an incredible pianist. It hit me near the end of first movement that Robert Schumann was sitting in the front row with his arms clasped to his body slightly upright with a smile on his face.....and that grin never left his face through the rest of his masterwork. I think even the piano felt honored by Ms. Wang's performance.....

Elle est extraordinaire.Jamais de partition, un éventail très large de connaissances de symphonies, concertos et autres pièces musicale s.On est bluffés.

28:51 Her coquettish expression is such a perfect mirroring of the melody at this point. Love it.

I was so lucky to hear and see this live in Dresden and Munich last year. An elder woman in the audience told me she heard nearly all pianists playing live her favorite piano concerto and Yuja's interpretation was the best, even "better" than Dinu Lipatti. I can agree absolutely. Romantic without getting "cheesy", clear, brillant and sometimes I was remembered to a playing instruction by Anton Webern : "wie ein Hauch", "like a wisp".....and all this with Yuja's good taste! Brava!!!

I sit here sequestered during this time of world crisis with tears of joy rolling down my face. My god, her ability to take great and make it sublime is for the ages; play on forever dear muse, play on!

Thank you for presenting this phenomenally gifted, powerful, gentle and emotionally vibrant woman who lives in the rapture of the wonderful music she allows us to share. Wow!!

Played it again - one of my absolute favourites (of many) and it seemed the whole orchestra, conductor and Yuja were almost dancing with joy in this. Heavenly. 🎵😊🎵😊

Makes my eyes Go WIDE and tears flow. What a wonderful time to be alive and hear this.

I like the way she palyed, a mixture of ecstatic and poetry. The explosive opening she plays great.

Ms Wang is really into what she is playing, totally in the present moment, amazing 👍👏🏼👏🏼🎼🫶🏼

There is a joy in this playing that is quite infectious in these troubled times. I say "bravo" to Ms Wang!

Yuja performs this piece with her heart all the time. Bravo !

22:47 The iconic Yuja Wang touch with so much lightness and delight

Yuja Wang is my favorite pianist! She is an inspiration for my pianistic work, as her touch reveals security, attitude, delicacy, love and a muted connection with music !!!

ive been listening to this like 5 times everyday

I have always felt that Schumann's music is ethereal, this performance proofs it. BRAVO!!!!!

La virtuosité, la fougue, la passion mais surtout l'émotion. Une fois de plus yuja fait la différence. Un enregistrement de référence. Admirable.

yuja...is a real person ...i always feel her authenticity as a human first...then she is a world class pianist...that's why I love her so much !!

She's phenomenal. This is an amazing performance.

這首曲子我聽了30年,我只能說王羽佳還需要再釀個幾年,有點年輕氣盛,溫文儒雅的舒曼感情激越時不會是這麼暴衝,不是所有作曲家都適合極快極慢.這首曲子背後有一陣一陣的風,是很規律的潮汐,突慢突快是很不美麗的表現法.記得30年前正在戀慕一個女子,聽這首曲子真是剛剛好.每個音符都是思慕與愛戀的情感,最後的樂章則是勇敢與堅定追求愛情的狂喜,老實說整首曲子演奏得不像陷入戀愛的情緒,硬去雕琢會只有美麗的空殼.............不接受論戰純粹自己感受.要不是王羽佳我才懶得寫,其他人愛暴衝就讓他們去暴衝吧.尤其是那個仗著自己漂亮走紅的,我覺得她已經沒救了.

Did not plan to comment but having listened to this brilliant performance I really feel I need to. She really shines again ! Apart from playing so well I also cannot help but admiring her posture. Also very nice to see quite a few younger people in the orchestra. Classical music is clearly not for the older generation as some people claim.! All in all a great video. thank you !

30:05 for the best circle of fifths progression in musical history - oh how I wish it were longer

Her feeling for the message in the music is so deep, so true that you cannot help being totally involved. A true messenger from the composer. Iguana

Peter, thank you. Yuja has beautiful musical hands, and is expressive rather than looking like a corpse playing piano. She also has the enviable Oriental strengths of focus and concentration. Beautiful and strong rendition. Well done.

One of the most beautiful piano concertos I’ve ever heard! The Schumanns had an amazing taste for writing music and Yuja does a fantastic job displaying that!

I"m not a great fan of classic music, but I'm a fan of this girl. Her passion draws you in, and her enjoyment becomes our own. Blessings to her!

I know nothing about this music, but it is just amazing. I can't imagine how this pianist can do this. Wow! Love her. ❤

I did see criticism of her and wonder how much actual knowledge the critics posses, I am a pianist myself and close to watch last 50 years performances, she is the greatest talent with technics far above humanly possible. Critics can learn first about piano, what make a performer unique and also history of composer with history of the greatest instruments too. Comments about her dress must to be posted by fat asses jealous of her incredible talents. God bless you yuja for the work you put it in and developing the most amazing pieces. Nobody come close to your title- queen of piano❤️🎹❤️

I really admire and love this creature. She's so precise, clear, emotive and technically perfect than it's really difficult to believe she es a human being. And have you noticed how she enjoys playing this materpiece? She feels so deep the music she's playing and convey those feelings to us, thank you Yuja, a thousand times a big "THANK YOU" for existing!

So beautiful! This is a tricky piece to perform successfully, in my opinion. She aces the bravura passages, makes the most of the lyricism and captures the chamber-music like passages. Bravo to Maestro Viotti and the Wiener Symphoniker for truly collaborating with Ms. Wang.

Noble peace prize for music !!!!

YUJA WANG! So Beautiful Lady! So TALENTED Musician!!! I Just Love Her! (So Much)

I have to say this 3rd movement is the best I have ever come across. Bravo!

Exeptional as usual whatever she plays is at the top!

Oh my word, I have been listening to this concerto for more years than I care to remember. When I saw Yuja playing it I knew that it would be a capable performance but would she capture the emotion and the magic? Well, yes she did, and even more so. I knew I liked it by the end of the first movement but when she started the second I realized that I was witnessing true greatness. This woman is truly spectacular and this interpretation is truly magical. An astounding performance of my favourite ever concerto. This will remain one of my favourites for ever!

Looking at her face during the quiet passages, it seems Ms. Wang being caressed by the music. Or is the music caressing her? At the start of the second movement, around 15:00, Juja is actually caressing the piano keys. She doesn't live the music, or breathe the music, she is the music. She becomes what she plays; what she plays becomes her. Fabulous!

What a joy and privilege it is to watch and listen to this superb rendition of one of my favorite piano concertos in the comfort of my own home played by such a young and supremely talented and beautiful young lady.

Beautiful orchestra and great Yuja, what can be better than that💙

Beautiful Chinese doll that masters the classical piano. She does Lovely music, she is a gift to mankind.

A pleasure to listen to Yuja Wang and a pleasure to look at her.

Yuja's playing is so sensitive, and her communication with the orchestra and soloists so lovely. To me, she captures the joy, romance and anguish of the depth of love in this piece.

This piece, and the performers who can relay it, have my utmost respect and appreciation. Some may say it is one of the best piano concertos since Beethoven. I say it is simply up there with the best ever. I wish I could lip-read what Yuja is saying when playing, but it is incomprehensible.

Ms. Yuja Wang, together with the orchestra and conductor, interprets my favorite concert in a wonderful way. Greetings from Germany. 👏👏👏

A wonderful performance. The intermezzo, in particular, was quite exquisite. Ms Wang becomes the music! Many thanks for posting.

What a visual and aural feast to say the least!! Wang succeeds in making this concerto her own in a most personal way. Most importantly, her interpretation of a war horse is at all times interesting without being idiosyncratic. Bravo!!

Elle caresse les touches du piano avec une extrême sensibilité artistique ❤️❤️💐🏵️👋👋

Beautiful uplifting performance, BRAVO!

The Great Mentor of Brahms with his Heroic and Epic First and Only Piano Concerto Masterfully performed by the Pre-Emminent Pianist of our times Miss Yuja Wang !!! Although Miss Wang Champions the Works of many 20th century Composers ( And Breathes new life into them ) Her true heart and Soul Belong to the Romantic period of which she is the UNDISPUTED Queen !!! Long Live Yuja Wang !!!.....

Excellente interpretation, très grande sensibilité de Yuja!❤🧡💛💚

Rather than play the music, Yuja Wang seems to BE one with the music.

lyrical writing. considered one of the best ever writen. full of exuberance MS.Wang stupendous just stupendous!

Watching and listening to her play Op. 54 gives me goosebumps and helps me to forget the many misfortunes that are besetting the world at this time. Lest we forget, the Wiener Konzerthaus Orchester is also to be applauded.

The first movement of this concerto can often feel long and drawn out, especially after hearing it fifty times or more. This is a very nuanced performance that keeps one interested. It has a feeling of "newness", as in "What is she gonna do next?"

What can I say! ..... Simply breathtaking.... Yuja is so remarkable & feels the music so deeply while playing!!... Her music is so invigorating & serene to me. Thanks for posting.🙏😻

A very fan of you. The musical speed washes my dirts. Especially i want your strong left rist. I studied classical piano for about 30yeays but i am doing different job but still have something in my heart that i want to go back to what i was doing. Thank you Wang.

I agree with every last Yuja superlative. I think kudos also to the conductor. He masterfully balanced the orchestra volume and the piano so that not only did we hear the nuances in Yuja's wonderful performance but also some of the individual instruments in the orchestra, at places where the melody is being traded back and forth. Bravo!

30:24 I had never imagined that phrase could sound so beautiful. Such an imaginative use of rubato. Sounds as if Schumann himself was singing it. Yuja is definitely one in a million

An angel on the piano none thus far can no where near, SWEET

Wat een fenomenale vertolking van dit concerto. Ik kende Yuja Wang al heel lang als een pianiste met een fabelachtige techniek maar ook de muzikaliteit die ze hier tentoon spreidt is van een ongezien niveau. Een heel eigen interpretatie met prachtig ingehouden rubato's, feilloze tempowisselingen, prachtig in dialoog met het orkest en ontroerend mooi heel het concerto door. Vooral het tweede deel werd op een hele fragiele en pakkende wijze gebracht. In de spetterende finale liet zij ons opnieuw heel haar kunnen bewonderen. Zij bracht dit veel gespeelde concerto door haar interpretatie terug tot een "nieuw" leven. Ook een prachtprestatie van dit top symfonisch orkest wat haar tot deze prestatie stuwde. Puur genot!

My favourite pianist. So romantic Schumann, love very much.

she’s so lovely

Such a concentration of youthful joy and exuberance from all, but Lorenzo and Yuja so effortlessly raised tears of pleasure throughout this Schumann - a loved favourite of this old guy... Thank you.

Ms Wang never disappoints! Incredible delicacy matched with immense power - and a clear musical vision throughout the composition, whose trajectory hits the bullseye.

Qué sentimiento de Yuja cada vez mejor. Una joven madura con una interpretación impecable y profunda. Y un director tan joven, con menos de 30 años ya dirigiendo la Wiener!!!

Yuja is quite the Marvel. Her instincts guide her effortlessly through the music. Lashings of gusto pours out like hot borscht one moment followed by sensitivity only known to few humans the next. There is no doubt that Robert Schumann looks down with a smile on his face knowing that his creation still captures hearts and souls around the word. How beautiful and amazing is that!

Thank you for the great entertainment. Love Yuja and your classical music appreciation...the RU-vids are great.

What a marvelous performance! Simply outstanding. Virtuoso Yuja Wang.

what I love about this, is that it fills my heart after my son died and I had no Music in my soul. This was the music by Her that filled it back in. Thank you Thank you. thank you.

👏🏼 Bravo Incredible musicians everywhere 👏🏼 Thank you 🙏🏻 for preparing the fabulous RU-vids of such beautiful classical music 🎵 🎼 🎶

Концерт Шумана для фортепиано с оркестром в А-миноре (Опус 54) один из прекраснейших, который я слышал. А слушал я многие Концерты. Музыка этого Концерта лирична, изящна, глубоко чувственная, насыщенная редкими нюансами, чередованиями форте и пиано, которые обогащают восприятие и вызывают необыкновенные эмоции! Концерт богат необыкновенно красивыми мелодиями, ставящими эту Музыку в ряд величайших! Очень хорошая оркестровка, поддерживающая солирующий рояль и красиво перекликающаяся с ним. Исполнение Концерта безукоризненное! Юйцзя Ван, на мой взгляд, гениальная пианистка, обладающая виртуозной техникой и глубоко чувствующая музыкальный материал. Я поцеловал бы каждый её ненакрашенный пальчик за его труд и искусство, не знающее себе равных! Оркестр изумительный! Замечательное исполнение! И дирижёр достоин восхищения! Спасибо за доставленное удовольствие! Мои наилучшие пожелания всем исполнителям! Архитектор из Харькова. Украина