Clayton Stephenson - Quarterfinal Round Recital 2022 Cliburn Competition

[@jamescaserta6265]

I am very shocked he didn't win. He has everything. Plus that intangible magical thing.

[@Barpoint212]

Amazing job with the Liszt B minor Ballade especially. That piece can sound bloated, grandiose, and endless, but here it is played with a keen ear and almost orchestral sounds. Bravo!

[@yapsun3017]

If he can take more deep emotion,it will do better.

[@LeifD958]

One of the Gold Pieces in the whole repertoire for the Piano. It’s really a masterwork. Not easy to play well. But when it’s played good, as here, it’s a shining diamond.

[@pianoaddic1600]

He has my vote.. what awesome expression!

[@samaritan29]

isn't he the pianist who played the mephisto waltz at that lang lang masterlcass...??

[@pianoecho3032]

Yes

[@AlexC-rk7hu]

Yes and his Mephisto was not too good back then.... The level of change in a short amount of time is insane

[@brockeyspedals]

This is such a solid performance, congrats to Clayton for all the hard work! I loved reading his bio on the Cliburn site, including how the Juilliard MAP offered him the chance to earn his way into the Pre-College.

[@AlexC-rk7hu]

I've watched this video 4 times now, I think it may be in my top 3 favorite performances of all 3 pieces. As a classical pianist, I won't lie - I was excited to just see a black person at the Cliburn. But it turns out that he plays with a variety of dynamics not seen since Horowitz. It's also very intriguing to see videos of him playing Mephisto Waltz in 2016 not all that well. Something happened in the last 6 years, where he went from a needs more practice pianist to game changing interpretations. I'm so excited he made it to the finals, his Gershwin was another big hit!

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Mexico. 🇲🇽❣️🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@tonyventura4605]

Wonderful pianist! I can’t wait to hear him in the finals. Hope he wins.

[@maritamcdonough5777]

I also am enamored with Dmytro Choni, all heart and soul and perfect technically.

[@jimk9290]

For my money, this Ravel piece could have been a "required" piece, maybe in addition to the Hough composition (which is the best ever among the "competition compositions" for determining a performer's ability to interpret and express a new piece of music), to showcase who could manage the texture Ravel was aiming for. IMO, Clayton Stephenson pegged the meter on the Ravel in that regard. In the Liszt, his dynamic control and phrasing/touch are exemplary. He chose his music wisely, to say the least, and performed marvelously. Of the competitors I've heard, he's the one I could listen to all day. He does not permit univocal tonality to lull the ears, and I found myself anxiously awaiting the next section of the music, to see what new and different aural sensation was going to be presented. I am a proponent of "the special note", but he takes this to the next level, and produces many "special phrases". This is cerebral and tactile musical mastery. At 12:20 and just before and after that, we see a dense chordal legato which is unrivalled. And he follows with a delicacy like confection. He says," The Boy's Club of New York exposed me to jazz." That may be why I'm hearing Gershwin in Prokofiev, which is a good thing. And the 3 min. long linear crescendo at the end of the Prokofiev absolutely seals the deal.

[@marianneackerson3009]

I agree 100%. I about fell on the floor when he finished the Prokofiev. I have never heard such a riveting delivery of that entire piece, but especially the final “3-minute linear crescendo” at the end! Your statement: “This is cerebral and tactile musical mastery” is exactly right. He also creates an atmosphere of expectation! And yes, his rhythm is organic. The young man DANCES.

[@athensramirez5673]

Lovely performance! Very passionate playing 🎉

[@bertcarter6176]

Another brilliant performance! Exceedingly well-done 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@snorefest1621]

Wow the legend is back

[@annettefallon1652]

Brilliant performance! I predict he’ll be one of the top 2. Congratulations!

[@tonyventura4605]

Biggest ovation of the competition, I may add!

[@elizabethcanales7170]

I agree with you! I really enjoy his phenomenal playing.

[@timothyguan]

@@tonyventura4605 agreed, but keep in mind some of the reason for that is because he is playing in front of home crowd (majority Americans)

[@djmotise]

@@timothyguan Not really. They are smarter than that. If he were from Texas, that would be a different story. The people didn't respond as they did because he's American. This isn't the Olympics. Give the audience more credit.

[@patrickbellini8286]

I don’t remember them announcing a contestant’s Country. I like Clayton’s variety of music.

[@gilgameshdushash1718]

Here goes your gold medal winner

[@djmotise]

Nope.

[@yurikuhl]

Bravo!!! Prokofiev would be pround 🔥

[@kaden24]

He's got to win it.

[@Dariafortepiano]

Fantistic!Bravo! the touch and the imagery!! Best of luck in the later rounds!

[@mayumisaito2883]

Quelle beauté!! Bravo!

[@enriquesanchez2001]

YES SIR❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Karlinberlin1]

I like this guy doesn't bang his way through the Prokoviev.

[@djmotise]

I beg to differ.

[@maritamcdonough5777]

imho, he plays it beautifully, but falls just a tad short of Alexander Malofeev who played it to perfection at age 17.

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

@@maritamcdonough5777 But we all fall short of Alexander Malofeev 😔

[@san-qinglubennaman2391]

Clayton is Lang Lang's favorite.

[@johnkathe2308]

He was my vote for winner of the competition.

[@san-qinglubennaman2391]

Can't wait for his Rachmaninoff 3rd concerto tomorrow night.

[@sneezy484]

11:30 - 11:53 sounds like 2 pianos playing in his hands

[@tatie7604]

Could you turn up the volume when you are recording. I can't hear this.

[@lt6jam]

ravel is like musical jewelry

[@pickledrick4800]

Come on melanin!!!

[@classical.pianist]

Scintillating. Lots of critics around the world echoed the sentiment.

[@nathalie5127]

Прокофьев получился какой-то слишком жизнерадостный, а там трагедия.....

[@republiccooper]

Hmm

[@republiccooper]

@@georgiachaney5912 processing the programme.

[@annettefallon1652]

I predict he’ll be 1 of the top 2.

[@maritamcdonough5777]

@@annettefallon1652 Hope so. He's exquisite!

[@djmotise]

There is a jury of numerous non-pianists. They won't understand how excellent this guy is. The only thing they are planning is to give the Ukrainian a medal, along with a Russian and an American. I predict an outlandish result, due to politics and the whole, "Stand with Ukraine" narrative. I hope I'm wrong. But with the elimination of Andrew Li and others-- in favor of the Ukrainian--it's already not looking good.

[@maritamcdonough5777]

That may be, but give a listen to Dmytro Choni. He is simply outstanding, whatever his nationality is.My two favs: Clayton and Dmytro.

[@djmotise]

@@maritamcdonough5777 I heard some. But will listen to more. I first heard him at a recent competition on Medici. Dont remember the competition. He's excellent, but I didn't think anything jumped out at me. But we shall see.

[@newcenturypianists3195]

@darren motise, I myself am a pianist, and a graduate of Manhattan School of Music. The observations of others in the comments are accurate. Stephenson definitely deserves a top prize. I know him personally and he is a truly amazing pianist. Stop trolling, please!

[@maritamcdonough5777]

I have listened to more Stephenson. He is truly remarkable!! He may be among the greats!! I love his work. He deserves 1st at Cliburn imho

[@miltonmoore8369]

TO AVER THAT ONLY PIANISTS CAN APPRECIATE GIFTED MUSICIANS WAS AN ACT OF FIRST CLASS UNADULTERATED STUPIDITY.