Chinese pianist prodigy Yuja Wang talks to BBC News

Subscribe to BBC News / bbcnews
The Chinese pianist, Yuja Wang has been described as one of the most important artists of her generation, and her teacher has attributed her success in part to her charisma. She had her first lessons when she was six, and left Beijing on her own to study in Canada and the US when she was still a teenager.
Subscribe / bbcnews
Check out our website: www.bbc.com/news
Facebook: / bbcworldnews
Twitter: / bbcworld
Instagram: / bbcnews

[@theMad_Artist]

What I like about her is that she doesn't try to make things overly serious and profound even when it's unnecessary. She just wants to make the music sound good.

[@berndbrackman4443]

Unfortunately that is also how she treats profound, deep music. Matter-of-fact-ish. See for exemple her Beethoven Hammerklaviersonate. She plays the piece like a circus act. There is more to Beethoven than glitter and glamour!

[@martinforrester8249]

@dim Love your reply.

[@ruthsalgado6775]

I agree.

[@theMad_Artist]

@@berndbrackman4443 I doubt you even listened to her recording if you think that. She plays it with far more nuance and understanding than almost anybody.

[@leif1075]

How can I play as well as her?? I'm starting as an adult though which is depressing and discouraging..

[@ftrzruth]

I love how she sometimes giggles after she speaks.. young talented, while sweet and humble

[@gonzalo4658]

Wtf is up with your comment bro

[@AlexandrBorschchev]

@@gonzalo4658 what's wrong?

[@ms.playboyinternational393]

Thank you. What's so humble about giggle after saying something like. What kind of passive aggressive bullshit is he trying to say.

[@dahmerbundy8704]

She looks souless😴

[@freesemobe]

She's so unapologetic of who she is, pretty cool

[@funeralgiggle3771]

She can back up her confidence with her talent, she has the freedom to be herself. That must feel like freedom.

[@robertimmanuel577]

@@funeralgiggle3771 why not her confidence backing her talent?

[@scottmoyer1357]

She is simply outstanding with deeply practiced skills and the passion for the music. She has honed her craft impeccably and flows within the music as though she owns every single note. That she is as attractive and articulate as she is is just an added feature of this monumental artist.

[@yananneteoh9818]

Yuja's clothes facilitate her performance which we know induce sweat especially when pianists of her calibre play with such immersion with their passions. The bare shoulders, sleeves and back cool her and prevent unwanted perspiration dripping on the ivory keys. How often did I see Kissing and other guys sweating as they perform? They carry white hankies and dress formally in dark suits and bow ties but Yuja is refreshingly flamboyant and fashionable.

[@stepaushi]

Would you prefer that Kissin play with bare shoulders, etc. also? 🤣

[@deeb.9250]

Pianists should wear sportswear and Yuja wears beach wear so practical really

[@alexsimpson79]

@@stepaushi hahaha 😂 I imagined, sweaty Jew with bare shoulders ..

[@andrewguthrie2]

That's exactly why she wears low cut, short dresses.

[@teteeheeted]

I’m glad Yuja is able to be herself, however what you must understand is that most pianists favor formality and professionalism over their own comfort. And why wouldn’t they? Why wouldn’t they want to make their performance, something they’ve worked on for who knows how many years, something spectacular. My main point really is, I think most well known pianists are either fine with, or prefer to wear formalwear, as they themselves probably would see anything with too much flair, or too little flair to be taking away from the music itself. And all this is without even mentioning the tradition these attires have in music, especially with playing the piano.

[@conniekleppe6877]

She is so humble and sweet, doesn’t even realize her greatness. Truly gifted.

[@scottnickerson3918]

At the end, when she says, "that's when the magic happens", i got chills. That's the moment when she transcends both mind and body and she becomes a conduit for the spiritual power of the music. It's more than mere technical perfection. The music is more than just fingers on piano keys. I don't pretend to understand it all, but i certainly feel and perceive it like all of you. I enjoy the music without having to think about how great she's playing it.

[@mashtali1]

Yuja Wang has rocked the world. super talent.

[@ericmercury3187]

Her talent borders on the supernatural. Watching her play is wonderful, listening to her is singular.

[@trevordaviesable]

Yes I couldn't agree more ,she is not from here. Her attitude reminds me of young Mozart who did not realise his greatness either. How can it be that some kid can not only be pianistically great but has the depth and maturity to perform such profound music such as say the Hammerklavier. She is in short from outer space !

[@jasmine3373]

She's really pretty

[@harryboggon3438]

Apart from being The best Pianist in the World ( My Opinion) Yuja is a lovely person Beautiful and charming What more could one ask for? I simply Love Her 😍

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

your opinion is shared by many others

[@harryangus6030]

Yuja Wang thinks she is seen as a pop star because she wears short skirts. She is absolutely wrong. She is larger than life; she transcends her genre. Her talents are second to none, and she is a stunning beauty, and yet looks so innocent with that sweet angelic face. She looks like a cute baby giggling in a crib. And when she sits on a piano, her little frame of body takes gigantic proportions as she delivers the music of the masters. She is like the Franz Liszt of our time. Women used to fight over Liszt’s glove when he would throw them to the crowd after his performances. Yuja Wang is a pop star because she looks like an angel and plays like one. We just wish one day she will compose because we would love to hear her own voice.

[@Snafuski]

may I correct something? She is unlike a popstar in that she is a genius at the piano and in music, she could look like a post-Chernobyl potato and still be a great pianist... Pop stars are often talented, but their musical limitations are incredible, though writing it inevitably brings out the storm troopers of the culture industry, the twits who keep listening to the same 5 chords over and over again and think its great... Thanks...

[@pix046]

There is a big difference between playing and composing.

[@Snafuski]

pix046 right!

[@democolor42]

+Harry Angus I regared her as profanity in art, not just because how she dresses but according to what she does to art

[@Davidfooterman]

democolor42 idiot!

[@cageynerd]

Such dumb questions to the most gifted and probably greatest pianist of our lifetime. She is already a legend in the classical music world.

[@AuntieMamie]

Thank you. I was hoping someone else would notice. A great opportunity ruined.

[@wilsonrebello6284]

She is amazing, in EVERY aspect.

[@yonglingtan3930]

Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to. I believe she must've been through a lot more than the others to achieve something remarkable like that..

[@martindalmasi5340]

My favorite artist. And so gracious and wise.

[@GaryAa56]

A very modest and extremely talent young Lady, so glad I discovered to watch her on You Tube!

[@huckleberryjane]

"They're very civilized now. No cell phones. They listen." That's just nice to hear. :)

[@mondola]

Finally going to see her on my birthday next year. Besides her incredible talent, I think she's really stunning to look at.

[@fghelmke]

How The Magic Happens: "I put myself into the composer's spirit as he is composing", in other words, she's right there when baby is born, when the composer receives the notes from heaven.

[@bumsharvest5493]

She is so good, it's otherworldly..

[@bigbearddahuzi1036]

I love the backless dresses she always wears. I never expected to see someone so ripped from playing the piano. That looks like a fierce work out

[@georgethepatriot2785]

Refreshingly down to earth. People will love her for it.

[@justicelut]

I love watching this young lady play. Not only is she an exceptionally gifted musician but you can really see by her expressions that she loves doing what she’s doing. You go girl!

[@ogersteiner]

Wow she is so amazing and so beautiful!!!! Wow!!!

[@enguundavgadorj5585]

i love you Yuja...

[@zedjo02]

Amazing lady with big heart! I love this lady!!

[@dracorpgroup]

With a musical artistry of such other worldly dimensions it could be said that this young pianist could be the tip of a gigantic, Chinese iceberg swell of musicians most of whom, as with an iceberg, are hidden beneath the waters. It has been said that to produce a Beethoven or a Shumann it takes a thousand of these gifted persons to produce that one stellar being. With such a huge population and such an obvious interest in things Western we will be hearing more of Ms Wang and certainly much more from the future artists that will doubtless spring from this river of humanity in Asia. This century will be exciting to watch and to hear what comes to the world at large.

[@jeresahm7354]

Great musician and a very pleasant and learned person.

[@AuntieMamie]

I could watch and listen to her all day. She exudes such charm and humility and a great sense of humor.

[@sarahfernandespiano]

I love listening to her interviews too. It teaches me a lot about my own little pianist. So well said! (-Sarah's mom)

[@samernewmobile2752]

I am surprised how the heaviness of her playing goes away with this frequent, light laughter

[@jacobdunn3521]

What an amazing person.

[@operagroupie]

She’s adorable. Very smart too.

[@ershenlin1774]

I am amazed that she attracts so many vicious attacks from troll-alias (most of them belong to the same owner) is the best proof of her greatness.

[@aditimascarenhas5608]

Omg I love her so much

[@carrie668]

She is so lovely and authentic self ❤

[@WJE37FCSM]

Many commentators of Miss Wang continue to underestimate her talent, her musical ability and her intellect. She makes her art look easy and I think that more than anything else promotes the enormous jealousy that follows her videos. They can't believe she is the real thing and therefore have to denigrate any part of her stage persona that seems abnormal. A pretty young Chinese girl in a mini-skirt cannot possibly be that good, her musical performance must therefore be shallow.

[@CarborundumKid]

But she demonstrates for us by her very way of speaking about her involvement with music that it is shallow, in this case the girl does the job for the trolls, Yuja is going to put me out of business if she keeps going on like this.

[@WJE37FCSM]

***** Deep or shallow... profound or profane... for you there are no shades of gray.

[@TheHayniko]

"enormous jealousy" is the correct way of describing those, who truly don't have the talent at all. She is the greatest of the greats and if they could do better, then maybe they need to step up and prove what they've got. Otherwise...

[@RolandKarlBryce]

Exactly !

[@tanmenghuat7032]

I fully agree with you.

[@genesisjimenez5481]

Gorgeous inside out! I love her already ❤️

[@user-op6vy3gg2b]

"Stage is like my home ~ " . Violinist Sarah Chang said the same. These are born to be performers. Like Heifetz. Must have integrity and strength as a night club madam.

[@robertimmanuel577]

That's awesome

[@ihatetheparty6340]

I think she is the cat's meow. So adorable as she runs over the keys so blithely!

[@georgescancan7503]

+I Hate the Party Did you mean: Yuja Wang is well lubricated (the money, Sex sells) Chinese sewing machine? THE TELEGRAPH As Nicola Benedetti, the violinist, bemoans the idea that sex sells classical music, professor of marketing Gloria Moss explains why both genders cash in on their looks to make their millions By Professor Gloria Moss 1:27PM BST 01 Apr 2014 Like it or not, looks affect our responses. So Nicola Benedetti’s comments that “classical music isn’t supposed to be sexy” and that her success bears no relation to her looks flies in the face of volumes of marketing research. It also flies in the face of history, since you have only to think of the effect of composer and pianist Franz Liszt in the 19th century (a 'looker' in his day) on women to realise this. Women would tear bits of his clothing, fight over broken piano strings and locks of his shoulder-length hair. They would even take his cigar butts and place them in their cleavages. ..... When it comes to classical music, you could argue that people don't buy or listen to it based on what the composer or musician looks like: they listen to their CD or record rather than watch it online through a music video, where female pop stars generally flirt with the camera to generate attention. .... However, people's responses to classical musicians do have a visual element, whether it is through the CD cover, concert hall or visual recording, and this will inevitably influence purchasing reactions. Related Articles Sex isn't what sells classical music, Nicola Benedetti says 01 Apr 2014 'Women who do well out of their looks play the game' 01 Apr 2014 'I can wear long skirts when I am 40' 05 Feb 2014 Besides, how do the successful classical musicians get their big break in the first place? Of course, talent is a huge part of it. So is hard work. But combine that with a beautiful body, flowing locks and an attractive smile, and you're onto a winner. Take extraordinary pianist Yuja Wang, who has made it her signature to perform in short dresses. Take Anne Sophie-Mutter, plucked for stardom by Karajan at the age of 13, and her strapless Galliano dresses. .... Also think of violinist Nigel Kennedy, protégé of Yehudi Menuhin, and the way his punk hairstyle may have helped him reach a large audience. The winning recipe is a superabundance of talent plus looks. Those who know how to use their looks well have an advantage: sex will always sell. .... At the end of the day, Benedetti may well baulk at the impact of looks but there is no denying their impact in her own success. That's just the world we live in; how does that old saying go: if you've got it, flaunt it. Dr Gloria A Moss is professor of marketing and management at Buckinghamshire New University and a visiting professor at ESG, Paris. She is the author of gender, design and marketing and has a new book, 'Why men like straight lines and women like polka dots', appearing in the spring.

[@titanicwreck2191]

Georges Cancan what makes you think anyone would read all that?

[@TheHayniko]

@@georgescancan7503 Shh!. You don't know what the hell goes on in her life. You're just surmising.

[@ralphhintzen577]

She's young,wild & playing on Heels - isn''t that scary (: ? (: ! nice .

[@KelvinChuchu17]

She is just soo good I can't even process what's going on right now at her speed

[@edilbertosantana8307]

Correction..wonderful..**Amazing lady ..perfection.. congratulation! Best I .v seen playing the Piano.thank you..

[@telephilia]

This is "pop star pianist" who is not afraid to tackle a formidable "serious" work like Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata and do a quite good job of it.

[@yananneteoh9818]

She's like Mozart... so much of Amadeus in her. Hope she will compose too.

[@mirellahaver3549]

Bravissimo 💕

[@dorkyduran3781]

definitely in the top 2 female pianist. she is cool & modest & sexy.

[@BlazinNSoul]

Congratulations to Wang for artist of the year as is so well deserved. Seriously I also agree that people criticizing her over her attire. Need to get a life. Not to mention when you can sit down and channel the dead like she does. She can wear whatever the hell she wants as far as I'm concerned lol. She is not only stunningly beautiful. But among the most gifted classical pianist of our generation. All I can say is to hell with the critics. Wang must have been sent from the heavens. As what explanation is there here for such a force of nature. Keep doing your think girl, respect!! 🎼🎵🎶🎵🎼😍

[@ivannvillanueva6294]

I am really curious to know who is the genious dating Yuja. Its so good to see Chinese Artists like Yuja performing Western music

[@KrajnikPizmovy]

Bravo !!!

[@rolandmueller7218]

It‘s good that people are really listening to the music.

[@ichahasibuan3769]

she's like the real version of nodame contabille....😲

[@jv4read1]

Her english is impeccable. What a sweet girl

[@L.M1792]

quite a show spectacular spirit.

[@johnlobello1007]

And I thought Bruce Lee was fast with his hands....Yuga's hands are a blur....WOW

[@mikemikie8312]

Yuja is not the new kid on the block ,she is an old kid always remaining young .thank God

[@poorlittlesheep4098]

She is not a pianist prodigy long ago... she's a piano virtuoso...

[@emiliobello2538]

Amazing

[@BartvanderHorst]

She is completely amazing, such gifted talent, yet I wonder how happy she is... she has this look... a sad look in her face.

[@hochang927]

you will enjoy more if you know her.

[@richardciccone1360]

Talented and pretty what a combo!

[@edilbertosantana8307]

Wonderful..amezing

[@michailluuko3909]

- So where do you find an inspiration? - I get lots of inspiration from reading books, watching movies, shopping. - Frederick Chopin?)

[@jadem694]

Why does it matter to you from where she gets inspired? You wreak of envy. It hurts you that this pretty young woman outshines you in every regard. It hurts but you must find a better way to process your emotions. Therapy may help you. And fyi, she literally says that she tries to put herself in the composers spirit when performing. Please open your ears before typing.

[@michailluuko3909]

@@jadem694 It's just the pun. Shopping and Chopin.) No envy. Think before you write such rubbish.

[@juanferestrada]

Shopping and Chopin are pronounced very differently. I didn’t get the pun until I read your comment :( Also that guy who replied to you really needs therapy lol

[@David-R.]

China must be proud of her. They should be.

[@user-iy9yr3uf5n]

It's only Lang Lang that they're proud of, for the time being.

[@djc2387]

Deym that right side window behind her scared me for a second...

[@michelleroselilley4637]

It's practice, not a gift. This woman worked hard.

[@brunochxca321]

Perfection

[@phteo6719]

Amazing Hilarious pianist. Like your style of presentation. Very Arty.

[@rucingthis3689]

27 year old "child" ???

[@rubenmotta5771]

Beautyful

[@riskaponia8424]

Yuja Wang; "Individuals have differences, Life is shorter than expectation, passion and flow goes along together." I am sorry for myself, but I will listen to you as a little sister.

[@Dsuji245]

She came to Canada when she was 14 and can speak English so well. That is unbelievable.

[@fitofito1001]

Why are you amazed?

[@nancyjfs]

@@fitofito1001 14 is still an age where young people can learn languages and all kinds of things!

[@utahdan231]

@@nancyjfsanyone can learn a language , not everyone learns the accent.

[@evechewietan]

So different from Lang Lang and should not be called a “female Lang lang”. She is original, unpretentious, unapologetic, she got there effortlessly and doesn’t try to put a philosophical dimension or spin on what she does or what she likes - heels, clothes and fashion. Her style gives play to her free spirit. She is not a result of parents’ ambitions or strategic moves. She enjoys the keys just like marathoners love pounding the pavements !

[@s.c.1494]

Well said!!

[@georgewu5]

She has to be ahead of me, who the audience, to be along with the composer. Because when she was playing the piano, she had no time to interpret everything the composer had to say. In a way, she had grown mature than her young age. George Wu, ARCHITECT, AIA, NCARB 2018-3-5

[@askbob2009]

great advice....

[@CarborundumKid]

What is notable and interesting is the extent to which Yuja is aware by now that she is not being taken seriously as a musician and how defensive she sounds responding to general questions about her "involvement" with music or, for that matter, anything "cultural". The very concept of "high culture" and Yuja just don't "sit", don't "belong" together.

[@theLegendOfYer]

You would know...

[@peterthien1297]

Lamu I want to tell you I came to know one Chinese Pianist Prodigy. She started to take piano lessons at age 6 yo from a Master Pianist. She gave concert playing classical Piano music. She gave a concerts in Beijing, warmly welcomed by Chinese classical enthusiastic. She is now 27 yo. I saw her in the BBC interviews her.. She was born in Canada. I regret no one in Thailand or China recognised your talent of a born singer when you began to sing at age three yo. You were in fact a Singer Prodigy. Had your talent been Recognised as a Singer Prodigy , the Master will give you a series of test where your Main interest lie in the singing fields, classical, operas etc. But you knew it by own interest, that is singing Mandarin Songs like TT. Lamu you are a talented singer as you were a born one. You have a natural understanding of knowing how to sing certain songs like poetics Songs, legendary songs. I hope one day you will meet a Song Master n tell him or her you were a Singer Prodigy. Or read about the subjects by browsing in the Internet’s: until you were known by a Master, you are a hidden Talents!!!

[@DonRua]

Ms. Wong, a lady rare, Complicated, yet a heart so fair. The CCP's plight, she knows so well, Doing her part, as a GOOD Chinese can tell. Her music, her skills, have an influence so grand, Yet, she prefers to come across, as an average gal so bland. She loves heels, books, movies, and shopping too, A simple life, she cherishes, and stays true. She's a symbol of China's past, a GOOD Chinese, they say, 70 years gone, extinct, like a rare display. She's my choice for China's ambassador, without a doubt, Her sweet smile and lush lips, a dream to think about.

[@luisgamass5585]

the Yuja shoes woaaa❤

[@kailuakidd1512]

Incredible talent and charm.

[@jobyfoxmusic]

Amazing intriguing and interesting person

[@DownhillAllTheWay]

Ms. Wang, I don't suppose you will read this, but on the offchance that you do, please tell - what is your favorite piano concerto? I know what mine is, but from the perspective of a performer, and necessarily an authority on piano music, what is yours?

[@jacquelinesanchez1420]

Excellent

[@MrTimedevil]

Some of her facial features, her looks and expression, her attitude and sense of music, all very similar to another Beijinger, also a female pop superstar in Hongkong, Feye, Wong. Actually Wong is the Cantonese pronunciation of Wang. I wonder do both of these two talented persons have blood relations.

[@artamerican]

MrTimedevil No, these two artists dont have anything related to each other

[@christinamartina2914]

...they really listen...

[@Chimp_6]

Even with a high tech camera recording at 60 frames per second her fingers still blur!!!!

[@BosuxRedsux]

A rock star pianist

[@DonRua]

I am but a humble drummer, Ten thousand hours to hone my number, With good instruction, I strive to be good, But some are gifted, like Ms. Wong, they soar like wood. To excel, to rise, to reach the next level, A gift bestowed, not for us to revel. Admiration is all we can give, For their talent and skill, it's a joy to live.

[@user-iy9yr3uf5n]

😢

[@KelvinChuchu17]

wow. I'm in love with this poem. I can relate very much

[@meredith218461]

In a world of outstanding young female pianists Yuga Wang is without doubt a cut above most, however may I suggest to piano lovers a further outstanding name? - the Ukrainian pianist Dinara Klinton. The latter has hugely impressed me with her Chopin & Liszt performances. Yuga Wang is a winning interviewee but I feel a little shallow on substance, it has to be said the interviewer leaves a lot to be desired on this occasion. More penetrating questions about her musical conceptions and thoughts would have been welcome.

[@tinwynnmyint2603]

Talented one, sure things!

[@TheArtyninja]

she's really quite cute

[@ericaminer970]

Astonishing.

[@georgescancan7503]

+Erica Miner : Sex in advertising From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "Sex in advertising or "sex sells" is the use of sex appeal in advertising to help sell a particular product or service. Sexually appealing imagery may or may not pertain to the product or service in question. Examples of sexually appealing imagery include nudity, pin-up girls, and muscular men. The use of sex in advertising can be highly overt or extremely subtle. It ranges from relatively explicit displays of sexual acts, to the use of basic cosmetics to enhance attractive features." ALEXANDER BOOT Author, critic, polemicist Blogs > Alexander's blog > Sex sells - all of us short Submitted by Alexander on 24 June 2013 - 12:59pm The other day I listened to something or other on KZbin, and a link to Chopin’s Fourth Ballade performed by the Georgian pianist Khatia Buniatishvili came up. The link was accompanied by a close-up publicity photo of the musician: sloe bedroom eyes, sensual semi-open lips suggesting a delight that’s still illegal in Alabama, naked shoulders hinting at the similarly nude rest of her body regrettably out of shot… Let me see where my wife is… Good, she isn’t looking over my shoulder, so I can admit to you that the picture got me excited in ways one doesn’t normally associate with Chopin’s Fourth Ballade or for that matter any other classical composition this side of Wagner or perhaps Ravel’s Bolero. Searching for a more traditional musical rapture I clicked on the actual clip and alas found it anticlimactic, as it were. Khatia’s playing, though competent, is as undeniably so-what as her voluptuous figure undeniably isn’t. (Yes, I know the photograph I mentioned doesn’t show much of her figure apart from the luscious shoulders but, the prurient side of my nature piqued, I did a bit of a web crawl.) Just for the hell of it I looked at the publicity shots of other currently active female musicians, such as Yuja Wang, Joanna MacGregor, Nicola Bendetti, Alison Balsom (nicknamed ‘crumpet with a trumpet’, her promos more often suggest ‘a strumpet with a trumpet’ instead), Anne-Sophie Mutter and a few others. They didn’t disappoint the Peeping Tom lurking under my aging surface. Just about all the photographs showed the ladies in various stages of undress, in bed, lying in suggestive poses on top of the piano, playing in frocks (if any) open to the coccyx in the back and/or to the navel up front. This is one thing these musicians have in common. The other is that none of them is all that good at her day job and some, such as Wang, are truly awful. Yet this doesn’t really matter either to them or to the public or, most important, to those who form the public tastes by writing about music and musicians. Thus, for example, a tabloid pundit expressing his heartfelt regret that Nicola Benedetti “won’t be posing for the lads’ mags anytime soon. Pity, because she looks fit as a fiddle…” Geddit? She’s a violinist, which is to say fiddler - well, you do get it. “But Nicola doesn’t always take the bonniest photo,” continues the writer, “she’s beaky in pics sometimes, which is weird because in the flesh she’s an absolute knock-out. “The classical musician is wearing skinny jeans which show off her long legs. She’s also busty with a washboard flat tummy, tottering around 5ft 10in in her Dune platform wedges.” How well does she play the violin though? No one cares. Not even critics writing for our broadsheets, who don’t mind talking about musicians in terms normally reserved for pole dancers. Thus for instance runs a review of a piano recital at Queen Elizabeth Hall, one of London’s top concert venues: “She is the most photogenic of players: young, pretty, bare-footed; and, with her long dark hair and exquisite strapless dress of dazzling white, not only seemed to imply that sexuality itself can make you a profound musician, but was a perfect visual complement to the sleek monochrome of a concert grand... [but] there’s more to her than meets the eye.” The male reader is clearly expected to get a stiffie trying to imagine what that might be. To help his imagination along, the piece is accompanied by a photo of the young lady in question reclining on her instrument in a pre-coital position with an unmistakable ‘come and get it’ expression on her face. The ‘monochrome’ piano is actually bright-red, a colour usually found not in concert halls but in dens of iniquity. Nowhere does the review mention the fact obvious to anyone with any taste for musical performance: the girl is so bad that she should indeed be playing in a brothel, rather than on the concert platform. Can you, in the wildest flight of fancy, imagine a reviewer talking in such terms about sublime women artists of the past, such as Myra Hess, Maria Yudina, Maria Grinberg, Clara Haskil, Marcelle Meyer, Marguerite Long, Kathleen Ferrier? Can you see any of them allowing themselves to be photographed in the style of “lads’ mags”? I can’t, which raises the inevitable question: what exactly has changed in the last say 70 years? The short answer is, just about everything. Concert organisers and impresarios, who used to be in the business because they loved music first and wanted to make a living second, now care about nothing but money. Critics, who used to have discernment and taste, now have nothing but greed and lust for popularity. The public… well, don’t get me started on that. The circle is vicious: because tasteless ignoramuses use every available medium to build up musical nonentities, nonentities is all we get. And because the musical nonentities have no artistic qualities to write about, the writing nonentities have to concentrate on the more jutting attractions, using a vocabulary typically found in “lads’ mags”. The adage “sex sells” used to be applied first to B-movies, then to B-novels, and now to real music. From “sex sells” it’s but a short distance to “only sex sells”. This distance has already been travelled - and we are all being sold short.

[@betcross1]

Georges Cancan Thank You! AMEN!!

[@berndbrackman4443]

Very true. Unfortunately.

[@ant7936]

Fascinating - a BBC interviewer who keeps her mouth shut!

[@senakolima114]

Реально крутая пианистка.

[@niltonsantana7555]

De tanto procurar à felicidade descobrir quê onde ela mais florir é ém baixo de uma franja

[@OwlyEagles]

OH! you guys! Be nice to Yuja. The qualities she possess are that of her own making. You guys think putting labels on her in very clever fashions is going to make her work less significant. You guys simplify the art of music. Bach wore a wig to signify wealth so in your rhetoric his fugues and organ works are then therefore less significant due to his wig. Her fame and fortune are the fruits of all her labor. Let her enjoy it. If you got anyone to blame Blame Argerich.

[@cnlee3676]

How can you have personal attack Argerich!

[@cnlee3676]

I wonder why the conductor and his crew should wear uniform whereas the female pianist wears so little and sexy in the concert.

[@OwlyEagles]

Probably because most pianists that play with conductors don't belong to conductors.

[@maninblack9271]

Wow..

[@mariannejones3695]

the interviewer asked something to the effect of it is different when you go home. if so, that is a culturally inastute question from a professional interviewer. "Home" is not necessarily always where you were born. Ms Wang has lived abroad (or outside China) since she was 14. At that young an age you can consider you have more than one "home".

[@s.c.1494]

I agree with you that Yuja has more than one "home". At the same time I think it does make some sense when the interviewer referred China as "home" for Yuja. Yuja did grow up in China until she was 14 and her parents and other closely related family members are still in China. Also Yuja is still a Chinese citizen, not a US citizen. So to call China "home" is not to far off. Of course the US is also her "home" since she was educated in the US and has since lived in the US for the past 19 years. Perhaps as time passes with her continuing living outside of China and eventually having her own family (husband and kids) China would be less and less a "home" for her. Cheers!

[@fuffoon]

She is an alien AI. Just incredible.

[@TheGuggo]

A prodigy indeed she is. If only she had the gift of interpretation. It’s like a robot playing piano. Perfect and soulless.