<p>LI Siqian</p><p>Chopin Op.10/4: a highly capable pianist: good clean playing - excellent fingerwork. Try not just to think of semiquavers. If chords are too clipped and vertical the performance can easily sound somewhat over-mechanical /metronomic and too “routine”.  Even if this is an “etude” it is still a remarkable musical composition. Immaculately clean.</p><p>Chopin Nocturne in D flat Op 27/2: I liked the sense of poise and space to your playing, which shows musical sensibility, even if it lacks any special magic. (Try to listen, if you can to some of the great pianists from music earlier generations playing this - or similar music.) I appreciate that you do not indulge in any undue rubato, but there can still be some greater flexibility of pulse / flow and of nuances. Lovely ending – something very pleasing here. In general, though, rather too predictable.</p><p>Liszt “Figaro” Fantasy: One senses that you felt very much at home in this work, and extremely comfortable and confident in your ability to master its technical challenges. A really enviable pianism here! Whether you succeed in conveying the essential character of the various Mozart arias is more questionable.  (For example, La ci darem is one of the most tender and gentle of love arias. You sound SO impressive and as if you really enjoyed playing much of this work. Can you find more scope for wit? Perhaps a slight sense that you were tiring a little<br />towards the end, which did not quite provide the kind of final flourish needed. </p><p>A gifted girl and I like the fact that her playing is essentially unfussy and natural.</p>