<p>Xie Tianjian<br />Haydn: Sonata in C major, Hob.XVI/50<br />This is one of the three London Sonatas written in 1794/95 expansive in concept and range from dramatic sections to pages of the utmost brilliance. Your performance has many wonderful characteristics especially the clarity of articulation and defined contrasts. The passages are shaped with good taste and when necessary you bring out the different voices to allow for clear polyphony. In time I hope you will explore more of the essence of this movement which is full of superb humor. The sketchy theme progresses from staccato leaps to connected articulation moving the music descending and ascending, the surprises of jumping ornamental fragments that totally mimics classical comic operas. There is no real second subject, it is simply the first subject dressed in different cloths and often bringing dramatic moments to their conclusions with a smile. But you do have admirable control and provide a sensible, accurate performance.</p><p>Liszt: Concert Etude “La Leggierezza”<br />You have the ability to convey the essence of this work – “lightness” and especially in the second half you manage to create some very beautiful sounds. The theme, resembles the improvisatory nature of work, is varied constantly by simple accompaniment to chromatic scales. Unfortunately your touch is heavy at the beginning and the theme sounds ponderous. You also seem to be impatient at the beginning of the climax, wait for the harmonies bring about the “crescendo” and “stringendo” – make it a gradual progression that is inevitable. You could also make more differences between the keys as you modulate through A-flat major to B-flat minor to B minor to E major and also be more aware of the wonderful chromatic bass movement in the Coda. But basically you have a very good image of the work that you communicate with sincerity and in a personal way. </p><p>Chopin: Scherzo in E major, Op.54<br />This is a wonderful repertoire choice for you. Most students play the other scherzi whose character full of drama, passion and bitter sweet qualities are much more difficult to communicate. This scherzo is full of humor, smiles and joy. And you have the technical ability to create all these characteristics and perform the work in a very mature and enthusiastic way. Of course there are things to improve especially a deeper understanding and feeling for key changes – E major is always the key of angels, of beauty, while A-flat major is of love and gentleness. How Chopin moves between these keys makes this scherzo such magical. Then the C-sharp minor middle section containing the simple Polish folk melody should be such a great contrast. Here you could improve your performance as the melancholic atmosphere is disrupted by the “agitato” of the left hand figure. However, your transition to D minor and back to E major was excellently executed, so was the technically difficult “goodbye” of the Coda. In time this will be such a great work for you, hopefully you will also attempt the other scherzi as part of a recital program.</p><p>Xie Tianjian, you presented a clear understanding of styles in a very mature fashion. You have a wonderful approach to the piano and obviously love music. I hope you will continue to learn a great deal of repertoire and keep on performing, indeed the future for you looks very bright.</p>