<p>ZHANG Ruixue: </p><p>Nocturne Op 15/1:  This sounds somewhat syllabic and stilted, lacking a true bel canto feeling, though the basic tone quality is quite pleasing. It is very safely executed, but tends to sound slightly pedestrian and lacking tenderness or persuasive quality</p><p>Etude Op.10/2: A modest speed and somewhat careful and slightly plodding. (LH rather square.)  It is commendably immaculate in clarity and evenness, but sounds far too much like an exercise. No real feeling of fluidity and far too metronomic.</p><p>Liszt Spanish Rhapsody: She seems somewhat more in her element in this music. Much was pianistically remarkably impressive, but not yet played with sense of flair or sheer enjoyment needed. It has little idiomatic Spanish flavour, especially in the slower / lyrical passages, but when the faster writing comes, she sounds well able to catch more of the flavour. </p><p>Ideally she needs to be able to release the rhythm so that it does not sound so consciously held on a tight rein. </p><p>Overall, a young pianist of clear ability and a serious player, but the disappointment is the lack of any real sense that she gets actual pleasure out of the music she plays - it is somewhat “set” and over-predictable and “practised” sounding. An incredibly high level of sheer accuracy - and that is no small achievement.</p>