In a captivating performance, Bruce Liu, a 26-year-old pianist renowned for winning the prestigious 18th Chopin Piano Competition, recently made his mark under the Celebrity Series of Boston at the iconic Jordan Hall of New England Conservatory. Liu’s debut showcased his exceptional talent to a delighted Boston audience.
The evening commenced with Liu’s interpretation of six selected short pieces by the French late-Baroque composer Jean-Philippe Rameau. Despite the challenges of adapting harpsichord compositions to the modern piano, Liu demonstrated remarkable skill in capturing the essence and delicate nuances of Rameau’s works. His rendition of “Les Tendres Plaintes” showcased a beautiful melancholic theme, skillfully navigating the piece’s dynamics and ornamentations.
While Jordan Hall’s acoustics posed some challenges for Liu’s intimate performance style, particularly in maintaining metronomic precision and clear articulation, his artistry remained undimmed. Moving on, Liu presented “Les Cyclopes” Menuets I and II from Suite in G Major, along with Rameau’s renowned “Les Sauvages” from Suite in G Major, showcasing his sensitivity to phrasing and tempo variations.
“Liu’s rendition of ‘La Poule’ was a testament to his virtuosity, infusing determination and focus into this seemingly mundane subject matter.”
Transitioning from the French Baroque to Frédéric Chopin, Liu mesmerized the audience with Variations on “Là ci darem la mano,” a duet from Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni.” This piece, which led Liu to victory in the Chopin competition, demonstrated his mastery of Chopin’s complex compositions and bel canto tradition.
Following a brief intermission, Liu delved into Maurice Ravel’s “Miroirs,” showcasing his versatility across diverse movements depicting nocturnal scenes, nature, and emotional themes. The evening concluded with Franz Liszt’s “Reminiscences de Don Juan de Mozart,” where Liu’s energy and technical prowess earned him a well-deserved standing ovation.
In encores featuring Alexander Siloti’s Bach arrangement and Chopin’s “Minute Waltz,” Liu demonstrated his lyrical touch and magical interpretation, cementing his status as a rising star in the 21st-century piano scene.
