<p>GU Jingduan:  </p><p>Chopin Op 27/1 Nocturne: This is poised and in many ways immaculate playing, with a sense of space and beauty of sound. There is a slightly static feeling to this and - for all its “professionalism” it is curiously “studied” - missing something more “personal”.</p><p>Etude Op.10/8: Again abundant evidence of an extremely well-developed pianist. Fingerwork is alive, but not over-mechanical. Again, though - from playing of this level of ability, I would have hoped to hear something rather more either elegant or witty, and the final page or so could “melt”and show a rather more different character - though there one can hear that she senses something of this.  Somehow she could convey more sheer enjoyment at playing this! Just a shade dutiful.</p><p>Chopin F sharp minor Polonaise This was considerably less convincing, though it does show some impressive strength and authority. It is somewhat over-“set” and predictable, and does not yet convey the longer noble sweep of the music. Rhythm is too static and chording rather over vertical. A minor section rather solid, with the problems inherent in the repetitious nature of this music not yet addressed. More sense of where the real climax(es) are is needed.  The Mazurka lacks real elasticity of phrasing: this could be a waltz! Again a certain sense of being SO practised, and needing  a more intuitive and creative response to catch the more yielding contrasts of this section.</p><p>These criticisms are always in the context of a really impressive and extremely confident and polished performance. There is a sense (at least for me) of this being extremely well-tutored, but lacking some great degree of any personal “voice”, or of any musical “risk-taking”.</p>