<p>Lu Xingyu<br />Liszt: Concert Etude “Gnomenreigen”<br />This is an excellent vehicle for your well formed technique. You control the tempo and at the same time bring out the contour of the melody. Also the repeated notes in the left hand seem to be not so problematic for you. There are two areas where you need to make an effort to improve – firstly, try to bring out greater differences between the dynamic levels. More than half of the work is “p” and “pp” and there must be a difference between A major and B-flat major and later F-sharp major. Also try to make this section much lighter and transparent.  Secondly, look carefully how Liszt clearly divides the piece into two halves, the first section is a repetition of the two main ideas and then there is a gradual quickening of the tempo to the very end. If you can manage to incorporate these two ideas into your performance, you will create a wonderful satisfying experience.</p><p>Mozart: Sonata in B-flat major, KV 281 (Allegro - First Movement)<br />Overall I like your performance of this extremely delicate and personal sonata movement. It is personal due to the special way he treats the accompaniment with its subtle changes and forward motions that create the sense of building tension – which of course is then released in with much needed cadences. You do capture often this forward motion, especially noticeably in the development section, however at the same time you need to bring out just as much the rhythmic pulse that relies on a variety of activities – notice how often the right hand is off the beat, or starts the melody leading to the second beat of the measure. By bringing these out, you create a wonderful feeling of enthusiasm of propulsion which allows the movement to sound “Allegro”. At the moment you are pulsating in 4 beats in a measure, try to make it 2 as indicated by Mozart and make it still sound natural. </p><p>Prokofiev: Sarcasms, Op.17<br />This is excellent repertoire for you with many challenges. At the moment you follow the score as written by Prokofiev and for this I congratulate you. Eventually you will find a great deal of depth that allows us to hear the music from different angles. What you need to do is to find different characteristics of human nature and portray these through music. You need to exaggerate everything, the percussive elements in the first piece which you do well must be contrasted more with the extraordinarily lyrical contrapuntal theme. The second piece starts in a contemplative mood and the theme should be played in a casual manner. This continues even though it gets louder, never forgetting the instruction at the beginning – “rubato”. The intense rush of energy in the third piece starts well, you should be also aware of the contrapuntal melodies opposing the percussive character. The middle section is only a momentary relief but here you could be more lyrical. The forth movement titled "Smanioso" (Frenzied) has an improvisatory element that again can be divided into two parts with a much more pronounced contrast. The final piece portrays darkness, hopelessness, gloom and anxiety. Your performance does have the makings of something special so continue to explore all the possibilities within the music and communicate them to your listeners.</p><p>Lu Xingyu, you are already quite mature for your age and without doubt you will advance to a higher level of quality performance. You need to study a great deal of repertoire as everything enhances your imagination – for example if you listen to Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony or his Second Piano Concerto you will find many moods that coincide with those displayed in the Sarcasms. Keep on working as you are very talent.</p>