<p>XU Zhiang:  </p><p>Chopin Etude Op.25.6: I have to be honest and say how distressed I was by this Chopin Etude. Such an able pianist but musically a travesty. A wonderful pre-impressionistic piece of piano writing of incredible delicacy was transformed into a horrible virtuoso display. Misjudged and tasteless. Machine-like finger brilliance (and not quite all impeccable either).</p><p>Nocturne Op.48/1:How this same pianist could give as serious and measured a performance (most of the time) of the great C minor Nocturne was hard to believe. This was SO much better, and at best it went beyond just good “reproductive” playing, with some individual effective touches.  The gravitas of the opening was well caught, though the C major section could have been more simple without so many long delays. The rhythm is not continuous enough. The final doppio movimento section  showed passion, though again the overall impulse / flow are interrupted far too often, and these delaying gestures become simply intrusive and no longer meaningful.</p><p>Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No.2: Here again there was much to admire both pianistically, and in terms of temperament. He has a “deep” sound and real richness of sonority and dark intensity. I like the way he makes the bass sound so significant. There is a mature ability to create space without losing musical tension. The occasional unrhythmic moment or small blemish. At times his playing could be lighter and more delicate and even wittier. </p><p>Overall, I find remarkable qualities in the playing, though there is a tendency for him not to adapt “his” style of piano playing with enough variety to the music he plays. But I warm to the expressive depth he shows and the sense of harmony. And I envy much of his technical prowess. A pity the Chopin Etude was so misjudged musically.</p>