BRUCE (XIAOYU) LIU - first round (18th Chopin Competition, Warsaw)

[@user-saru1333]

音の一粒たりとも蔑ろにしない…全てに意志を込めようとする熱意とそれを可能にする確かな技術が感じられる…

[@jeffreypeters395]

He knows what’s happening with every single note. Flawless technique. Impeccable expression. Master of dynamics. Master of the piano.

[@ellisha9034]

Wow, he blew me away. So flawless and Chopinesque, yet has his own original take. Like a breath of fresh air. Definite finalist if not winner!

[@jisushin2795]

Wow you guessed it. Can you tell me when I'll get a girlfriend?

[@juicetin_20]

@@jisushin2795 tmrw

[@brickhouse7401]

@@jisushin2795 How's that going? I hope you have one now! Good luck to you!🤞

[@hansleber6090]

How do you know its "chopinesque" have you ever heard chopin playing it? I dont think so. The judges neither. Stupid competition

[@LagartoChicloso]

@@hansleber6090 bro there are a lot of texts of people who heard him play, in short it is this: he played so softly and expressively that you almost need to stick your head inside the piano to hear his playing, but his ammount of precision and emotion conveyed... smth like that

[@anthonyc6017]

12:39 that change in texture is so colorful and delicate ive never heard anything so sweet that makes me smile every time i listen to it

[@yeti2057]

0:24 Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 1 6:14 Etude in C sharp minor, Op. 10 No. 4 8:33 Etude in A minor, Op. 25 No. 4 10:25 Scherzo in E major, Op. 54

[@christadebottis868]

Impressive!☆☆☆☆

[@tonytony8747]

The nocturne is magical . The etudes are brilliant. And the Scherzo is beyond words!

[@Michel-ck2nr]

Bravo so beautiful. Big congratulations!

[@marie-louiselabelle275]

How can he play the Etudes so fast!!!

[@loveispatient0808]

@@marie-louiselabelle275 he must be very good then!😄

[@MrInterestingthings]

This man communicates in a way unlike the rest of us mere mortals ! He has the best training and musicianship but he has that quality that makes people drop what they're doing and go to hear him. Star was in the air from the beginning of the Nocturne and listen to his rhythm in the mazurka part of the Nocturne. Genius ? I was crazy and still am about Gadjiev ! His left hand is incredible -hear 4th etude!!! How does he pedal/attack/finger those pinky accents in the 8th minute .Ive heard pianist accent them but never with pedal how is it possible as cleanly as he does it??? Genius .Garcia does the a minor etude also with so much personality I felt like I had never heard it before but Liu has a sound and personality that from the first note you know he is a finished artist !He sounds like the famous recordings just better recorded !

[@IRENEWED]

Absolutely hands down one of the very top performers of the competition. His elegance and charm are infectious. His tone is crystal clear and his voicings are absolutely mesmerizing. He has a complete sense of cohesion in each piece. He's not wandering aimlessly - it all makes sense. This recording will be the new standard for all 4 of these pieces. Such a memorable day!!!! Congratulations Bruce!!!

[@dariavasilescu334]

So true!

[@toutouzim007]

Very well written. I agree completely.

[@annettefallon1652]

Dang Thai Son Should be proud of him and his other pupil Chang. Both should be in the final:

[@annhoo5501]

@@annettefallon1652 and they are! Finalists!

[@bobbarns4516]

@@gdkabsbdkwkwm4187 He won! Well deserved!

[@pianoforteyt]

He plays with so much control over the piano both in dynamics and emotion! Wow! 🤩

[@daytonlivingston330]

Absolutely the most breathtaking and dramatic performance of Op.27 No.1 that I've ever heard. Bravo

[@soniang4078]

HE IS INCREDIBLE !!!! WELL DESERVED!!!! one of the best best performance of this NOCTURNE. looking forward to see his performance one day. PLEASE COME TO VANCOUVER.

[@quyduong6789]

The best of first stage

[@JamesSmith-mw7ps]

This is the most lit performance of a scherzo I have heard. The interpretation sounds so fresh but still faithful to Chopin.

[@anniebouvet102]

Toujours aussi merveilleux Bruce. Quelle délicatesse et intense émotion. Très grand artiste, merci infiniment pour ces moments de rares bonheurs. Annie

[@brickhouse7401]

New artist to me. Love his rubato. The way he played a section several minutes into the first nocturne humorously, like he was playing the piece in a vaudevile music hall, with decreased pedalling, was genius!

[@Yuzuashi]

彼は古典派音楽をしっかり弾きこなしたピアニストですね。ショパンというと感情を重視しますが実際には古典派がしっかり出来てないと音が流されてしまいます。哀愁の表現も素晴らしいけどテクニックが素晴らしい👏👏👏

[@davidofpiano423]

This man’s dynamic control and range is astounding. So interesting to listen to.

[@PiotrKotnis]

I've never heard Etude in C sharp minor performed so well, and that stomp with his left foot at around 7:50 was a really bold move. Bravo Bruce!

[@dexterpong8774]

He stomped it with AUTHORITY! So Badass😤

[@dexterpong8774]

What did you think of his variation in the third round??

[@PiotrKotnis]

@@dexterpong8774 I'm still relatively new to classical music, and variations are one of the Chopin's pieces that I'm not yet that familiar with. However, his performance is indeed beautiful 😍 Also, I wonder to what extend it was the FAZIOLI grand piano sound that cought our attention too 🤔

[@dexterpong8774]

@@PiotrKotnis exactly! The Fazioli sound was beyond amazing under Bruce’s playing. They complemented each other so well!

[@dexterpong8774]

After this competition. I’m no longer a fan of Steinway anymore haha. Fazioli definitely became my first pick

[@nickk8416]

He is so deserving. From the beginning I was captivated with his perfect tempi. His brilliant dynamics within his phrasing makes the music breathe. The articulation especially with his left hand. I love hearing all the notes and the space between them. He communicated the music through the piano with minimal facial expressions. What a mature pianist for his age and to win against such formidable competition is remarkable. I can't wait to hear what he has to say with other composers music. I'm inspired listening to him. I want to go practice :)

[@miriamklarabaranowski3995]

Bardzo piękne wykonanie słusznoe sie należało 1 miejsce można się napawać iodpoczywać przy takim mistrzowskim wykonaniu

[@maominamikumamnchannel1228]

彼の演奏は、あまりに雄大で、ゾワッとします。優勝🏅するだけあります。 リサイタルで生聴いたら卒倒するかもしれない

[@dariavasilescu334]

To me it was the best interpretation of a scherzo I've ever heard. It was like I understood what a scherzo is. I can't wait to hear more!

[@dariavasilescu334]

Exactly!

[@brickhouse7401]

Same. I like Benedetti Michelangeli's Chopin, and can't believe how divergent Mr. Liu's humorous and hopeful interpretations are, in comparison. Mr. Benedetti Michelangeli's work so dark and humourless with great depths of sorrow, regret, hopelessness

[@mio6360]

Congrats Bruce! His performance was so amazing, tender and beautiful.

[@trifonovfan9819]

Oh, my goodness! One of the best Scherzo in the Competition!

[@annettefallon1652]

Agreed!

[@michy_and_conchy2440]

The Scherzo alone was worth a first price

[@niclassunde3941]

That Scherzo.. wow! I was teary eyed by the end of it. Marvellous!

[@adelapark6657]

I love all of his music. Beautiful tones, originality, intelligent interpretations and artistic imaginations, creativeness, goes on and on. Especially when I first heard the A minor etude, he blew my mind!! Mesmerized, jaw dropping!! Commanding control!!! Bravissimo!!

[@sharku111]

Ciężko uwierzyć, że minął już rok. Od początku, gdy pierwszy raz usłyszałem jego grę, kibicowałem mu z wielkim przejęciem i zachwytem. Według mnie był najlepszy. Cieszę się że wygrał :)

[@romanroman5015]

Prawdziwy mistrz.Gratulacje. Nie jestem znawcą muzyki Chopina ale słucham z przyjemnością tak wspaniałej gry.Geniusz fortepianu

[@orlandocfi]

One of the best in this round. I think he made some great interpretive choices in a nearly flawless performance.

[@Thiago-px9ev]

Winner material, for sure. I would bet on him, let's se what he brings with the polonaises and waltzes

[@loveispatient0808]

He’s the best!!😄

[@関文子-b3w]

動画を聴いてリズム感、間の取り方、旋律の歌い方が素敵ですね❤演奏が終わってほしくないと思うほど魅力的で印象に残りました。何度も聴いてしまいます。これからもファンでいたいです。🎉

[@katerinakalavrezou6213]

Why did he even compete? They should call him as a guest star.. This guy is a complete performer and already among the superstars of piano. Can’t wait to listen to him live one day. His career will be just brilliant! Congratulations to his excellence, his family, his professors and to the jury that gave him the 1st place.

[@ciararespect4296]

Nowhere near as good as Marc Andre hamelin Richter cziffra katsaris etc

[@raffigorski6850]

@Ciara respect Without disrespecting Hamelin, may I just say the only past winners who are above Bruce may be Zimerman and Argerich.

[@loveispatient0808]

@@raffigorski6850 possibly! I like those two very much too. And now I can’t get enough of Bruce’s playing yet!

[@jerryseow1735]

@@ciararespect4296 G.

[@ciararespect4296]

@@raffigorski6850 agreed

[@therightmusic7639]

This young pianist is something, that was brilliant. Well-deserved first prize ( I don't like competition; let alone in the Arts... ) He'll definitely be on my favorite pianists list...Bravo Bruce!!!

[@riemori595]

I'm completely captivated by his performance. I'd really like to see him in the final. Good luck!

[@chwastozercyancientslowfoo205]

Totally. Us too. We'd like to see him with the 1st prize...

[@lmh651]

@@chwastozercyancientslowfoo205 Congrats! He got the 1st prize!

[@LC-ig2jm]

If you told me before October this dude is going to win, I would have laughed at you. After 3 mesmerizing stages and a rousing Concerto, I knew he would win! He’s the complete package!

[@TheCdothdotadot]

He is the winner! 👑👑👑👑👑

[@robertsaran9586]

The Best, wspaniały, cudowny i chce się słuchać ze łzami w oczach !

[@magorzataklikowicz6183]

Cudowna gra!!!!!! Najserdeczniejsze GRATULACJE!!!!! To Artysta o kosmicznej wręcz wyobraźni , a przy tym doskonale grający! To wyżyny pianistyki🌿🌹🌿🌹🌿

[@遠藤久仁子]

素晴らしい音の調べです。私は今までこの様なピアノの音色を拝聴したことがありません。Liuしに心より感謝です。

[@loveispatient0808]

Now I know how “pearly scales” sounds like! Thanks Bruce,

[@irenagouchowska344]

I saw it after the first round and I wrote it in a comment on facebook. Bruce Liu was absolutely the best. Garcia Garcia - although completely different, was delightful. In the third round, I was impressed with the sonata played by Kyohei Sorita. Waltz played by Garcia and rondo by Sorita at the concert of laureates - incomparable. Yet I am delighted that Bruce Liu has won.

[@AdrianCameron123]

His Performance had the Live Chat in awe...Congratulations to you. That Scherzo was beyond marvelous 🥰

[@tttakeme]

17:41 his trills and dynamics... superb!

[@Javid_74]

Just what incredible soul! His delicate sensibility and connection to his voicings is truly something else. I know he will go far!

[@thestratford51]

July, 2022, 9 months later and still returning here to listen to his wonderful first round recital....thank you Bruce Xiaoyu Liu !

[@loveispatient0808]

Me too! Today is 10/7/2022, I just finished listening to this first round and it sounds just as fresh! In fact I listen to him every day.

[@thestratford51]

@@loveispatient0808 oh that is really great to hear- thank you for sharing with me...now I know I'm not the only one : )

[@loveispatient0808]

@@thestratford51 you are so welcome and thanks for paying attention to me, I am so surprised! I wonder if you are a pianist yourself, no doubt a music lover? I live in Singapore, are you from USA?

[@thestratford51]

@@loveispatient0808 Thank you for your kind reply.

[@loveispatient0808]

@@thestratford51 oh I see where Bruce Liu Ives!😄

[@irenagouchowska344]

There are some great pianists at this competition, but Bruce excels above all. He has everything in his art: brilliance, lyricism, refinement, etc.He must win! Thanks to him, music took on a new spirit. He is also an extremely handsome man. So everything is perfect. Here we have the first prize!

[@marshan1226]

Wow what a prediction, Hey when will I get a girlfriend Irena

[@西宮硝子-k8l]

Meh

[@Womanincorset]

He won :)

[@epointerwinboie]

@@marshan1226 haha!

[@ijustretired]

Love this call, you were so right, I missed him completely now I am going through all his performances. Irena Golushowska- are you a pianist

[@australiaholguin-veras4665]

Maravilloso pinista, musical y con unas manos prodigiosas, podemos disfrutar de cada nota que sale de cada dedo en sus limpias y románticas. Es único, el mejor de todos! interpretaciones alas que impregna profundo sentimiento.

[@eikiworcester7215]

Me too! I went back to listen to O mighty Bruce‼️Congratulation ‼️

[@eikiworcester7215]

Bruce ALMIGHTY ‼️

[@KerriLynnBulger]

I absolutely love his playing. What an extraordinary talent

[@patriciamaguire9914]

wooooww. Just wow. THANK YOU Bruce for a revelation of Chopin!

[@haouyuzuri2739]

Etude10-4、How cool！ Scherzo、High skill and expressiveness, concentration and atmosphere feel even sacred🌟

[@AdrianCameron123]

One of the best performances of Scherzo 4 I've heard since Rafal Blechacz in the 2005 Competiton. 17:38 such an incredible moment and example of tickling the keys. Bravo Bruce Liu. 🇨🇦

[@poplife123]

Again it so hard to work out what the judges will decide each year we have exceptional players like him who don't make it past the first round ..... His playing was sublime really was..... Love to see him in the finals just to hear more of his playing ..... Exceptional

[@richardblake6781]

He has a very exact and precise way of playing. Would love to hear him live. His interpretation of the Nocturne was very different. Much more dynamic range and he exposed inner voices extremely well. I dont know about his wrist positions from a technical standpoint. I am very impressed and entertained by his playing. Congratulations on winning this competition.

[@VanTheClassic]

His dynamics are so colourful. So much dynamic contrast and not only that this piece is repetitive. He makes it NOT repetitive. I loved how expressed the section b with beautiful voicing. amazing for etude 10 no 4

[@iorikpiano9596]

I like how attentive he is in the music, especially in A minor etude.

[@liceous]

17:06 incredible delicacy, look at the man and woman in the background, their reaction when he hits that note.

[@jeffreypeters395]

That nocturne made me melt

[@cribedadabecri5764]

Bruce does´nt fight with the piano, he makes love with it.

[@blaht15]

Listened to etude cis moll 100000000 times, never actually heard sounds he made me to hear. Incredibly good excellent playing

[@trifonovfan9819]

He played it very well. But I always compare this etude to the famous recording of Evgeny Kissin, Moscow, 2009. It's on youtube.

[@blaht15]

@@trifonovfan9819 Kissin played it much faster, and obviously excellent, but I like this interpretation very much, it is slower and somehow "more music". Chopin's etudes are not only technical. I actually was so surprised to hear these eights in the left hand going down so clear I've never experienced it like this. It's about 6:27. But yes, it is presto con fuoco generally and Kissing played it really con fuoco grande :)

[@bozenakluska6604]

On jest fantastyczny!Słuchając jego gry mialam "gęsią skórkę " i ciarki po plecach!! W tej grze czuje się, że coś się dzieje,jest bardzo emocjonalną,to nie jest tylko odtworzenie nutek Chopina, ale kawał jego serca! Niesamowite!Pozdrawiam serdecznie i słucham z wielką przyjemnością dalej!!!

[@radosawolszewski3642]

Latający, muzyczny dywan! Flying music carpet!

[@sheilanovitz8578]

A truly worthy winner, and the general standard seemed to be very high in this competition. Thank you for sharing so much of it with us.

[@언더무비]

10:25 His "Scherzo in E major, Op. 54" is amazing in the world now !! and Fazioli was reborn with his touch !!

[@naraavakian1037]

Great talent and wondeful interprétation of Chopin with extraordinary technique !

[@vickiehorowitz1934]

There is apparently some controversy about Eve Gevorgyan being ignored in the conpetition. She played the same Nocturne in the first round. A great pianist but OMG anyone listens and watches the 2 side by side should understand why Brue Liu won. Ravishing beautiful and sensitive performance. Oh - I hope I am not being politically incorrect to point out that Bruce, in addition to being an extraordinary pianist, is beautiful. Whether we like it or not, looks can make a difference in a career and being so handsome can only help. Congratulations Bruce! I hope to hear you play in person someday soon!

[@johnrenehan7406]

Hehehehe ; fair point their about looks ; but honestly - his playing is so good , he could have worn a bucket on his head and still won us all over - an exceptional pianist 🙏🙏🙏🙏 As for the others performing in the competition, ive not heard all of them - but most of the finalists in the latter rounds ; looks aside , this man's playing stood head n shoulders above them all 🙏🙏🙏

[@DellDreamer]

I only looked at his beautiful, slender, long fingers. Just admire them, lol.

[@calkestis5817]

True. He’s very handsome! 😄

[@ewelinarzezinska9936]

nonsense. in jury there are professionalists. beyond of it, for one man someone is handsome, for another not

[@loveispatient0808]

@@ewelinarzezinska9936 “ beauty is in the eye of the beholder!”as the saying goes.. 😄

[@lflagr]

Fazioli for the win! What a beautiful, crystal clear tone and color!

[@frederickforczyk9848]

Bravo , Congratulations . we love your Chopin. Thank you. Keep it up Bruce most enjoyable.

[@kingalou1]

Very, very special... unique... just BEAUTIFUL...

[@pauliberg3492]

absolutely divine..a worthy winner.!!!

[@agatapu4717]

Jestem pod ogromnym wrażeniem - GENIALNIE GRA

[@agnieszkakruk1583]

Niezwykle utalentowany, wrażliwy i skromny ,wirtuoz fortepianu a do tego przystojny

[@josephemmanuel19]

4:04 I'm sorry but I have never heard this rendition in my life, wow! It adds so much volume to this nocturne.

[@maelenacardenasjuarez2042]

It's a great, fantastic performance and interpretation, congratulations ...

[@claudewebster]

Quelle magnifique performance et l'étoffe d'un grand pianiste. C'est un aussi un brillant exemple du répertoire idéal pour mettre en valeur les forces de ce pianiste.

[@metel999k3]

He's the one. Period.

[@mag357colt]

YOU ARE THE ONE!!! I AM SURE. CONGRATULATIONS IN ADVANCE.

[@titob.yotokojr.9337]

Beautiful clear lines and very good pedaling! Bravo!

[@hawkeyehelen]

I’m not a musician in anyway but I must I enthralled just listening to his final round. Bravo 👏 and congratulations on winning. Now listening to the rest of his performance. Amazing to say the least. ❤️❤️

[@MrInterestingthings]

I just heard him earlier in the Rubinstein comp.He has had miraculous growth -its more than piano playing. Something happened with this guy.Magic. Was Kissin playing the scherzi like this at 21? Unbelievable !

[@raffigorski6850]

I assumed you heard his Liszt Spanish Rhapsody from the Rubinstein? Inhuman virtuosity!

[@robertcentobene4375]

After he played that first Chopin etude you couldn't hear a pin drop! Extremely fast and superbly accurate fingers! The best! I have never heard that etude played as fast and accurately!

[@loveispatient0808]

You mean you could hear a pin 📌 drop!😄

[@robertcentobene4375]

@@loveispatient0808 Both Works! I find his play of the scherzo hauntingly beautiful. It is all possible because of the very fine control of ultra fast fingers and finesse!

[@vickiehorowitz1934]

Absolutely mesmerizing. And how I love that he chose a Fazioli and the 2nd place winner chose to play a Shigeru Kawai instead of Steinways.

[@nicolehourcade]

I completely agree for Fazioli

[@mostlyoriginalpianomusic2174]

Having played on Steinways myself, I definitely understand why he might not want to. While they have a fantastic sound, they are often more difficult to play than other brands, especially for rapid pieces, due to the extreme weight of the keys and a seemingly slower response. I've never played on a Fazioli, so I can't speak to it's feel. My personal favorite to perform on so far is Yamaha because of the light touch, bright tone, and lightning quick response of the keys that feels almost as though they are bouncing. However, Yamahas typically are no match for the raw power of Steinways

[@erezsolomon3838]

@@mostlyoriginalpianomusic2174 LOL, my piano's keys are so heavy that it is easier for me to play on Steinways.

[@rjmiko333]

What I really liked about Bruce is that I can't feel any sense of arrogance, superiority or for virtuosity's sake. His focus is in the music especially in the phrasing of the piece. Also, his attack on the piano at forte to fortissimo range is not hard on the ears.

[@SimonParker-hv6uu]

Yes he's completely focussed on the music. As a listener you don't get any sense of discomfort which comes from not quite so accomplished pianists

[@robertb7636]

I like his haircut, before competition he went to a great stylist and I respect him for that, because good looks are important to me. He is a great pianist, of course, but in my opinion every pianist from top 4 places, could be a winner. Why? He didn't get any other awards: for the best interpretation of Mazurkas,it went to the Polish pianist, no award for Sonata, it went to the Italian/Slovenian and no award for Concerto, it went to the Spanish pianist. There was no award for Polonaise this time. I still congratulate him for winning the best piano competition in the world and wish him good luck, I'm sure that his interpretations will be adored by millions or maybe even billions, who love Chopin.

[@felicequandocanto]

深く心動かされました。。。

[@94F19]

His etudes are stunning! And the scherzo!

[@krzysztofulanski5211]

Dziękuję za możliwość sluchania. To był fantastyczny występ. Gratulacje.

[@esauponce9759]

Truly amazing and inspiring. Congratulations, Bruce!

[@ainsimpsonpiano2125]

Love the “Nocturne in a Scherzo” feel we get at the end, calling back to the opening piece. Nice programming

[@ainsimpsonpiano2125]

A nocturne in a scherzo?? What a joke!

[@loveispatient0808]

@@ainsimpsonpiano2125well, that’s what a scherzo meam: a joke!😊

[@maryari3132]

Mister Bruce, you are the best! Are you Chopin??? BRAVO! 👏👏👏💓

[@HoYanPiano]

Bruce is on fire 🔥

[@przemyslawgajewski9470]

Zdaję się, że mamy głównego kandydata do zwycięstwa. Pięknie, aż braknie słów.

[@chwastozercyancientslowfoo205]

Pełna zgoda. Absolutny anioł...

[@juremafontoura1706]

He is absolutely awesome

[@randysills4418]

He makes these very complex pieces look easy! He is exceptionally good!

[@daniel0212]

Clean and precise, wonderfully played. BRAVO!

[@moderncaleb3923]

Loved his Scherzo, it’s the one that I’m least familiar with compared to others. So I’m just getting to know it 👍. He made it to the next round, completely deserved!

[@marshan1226]

Listen to Garrick Ohlsson play to it to understand it

[@naniuansesbiansiouq6937]

such symphonic etudes performance!!!

[@leaberenice1024]

Amo ouvir Bruce tocar❤️❤️❤️

[@nicolehourcade]

Like Seong Jin Cho he is a total artist, technically he is unbelievable but his sensitive interpretation of Chopin gives me ghoose bump and my surprise was how he performs Liszt, miraculous💥🔥🌞🌹🎶🎵🙏

[@kristana2244]

Humorist

[@ahappyteddybear3513]

Congratulations Liu for winning the 1st prize! I knew you would make it!!

[@hansleber6090]

Yeah and the judges too 💰 🏦 🤑 💵 😂

[@utmarco88]

Etude in C sharp minor, Op. 10 No. 4: one of the best performance heard

[@pswww_cs]

The nicest scherzo in first round!

[@tadeuszapyr1662]

Gra wspaniale i cudownie ❤️