LISTEN Magazine Yuja Wang Interview (full version)

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Steinway artist Yuja Wang speaks with Ben Finane, editor in chief of Listen: Life with Classical Music, the American print quarterly.
LISTEN magazine is the American voice of classical music, delivering interviews with the world's top musicians, feature articles, think pieces, festival coverage and insight into the masterworks of the classical canon - as well as recommendations on record, on screen, in print and online. No one covers the breadth and depth of classical music with greater elegance and enthusiasm than LISTEN.

[@ericastier1646]

Her muscle memory is phenomenal, she just pops pieces and switches between them faster than a CD player would change tracks.

[@terrahertz5284]

There are a few treasures in this world that make up for all the sorrow and stupidity. Yuja is one of those brightest stars.

[@martinforrester8249]

Such a lovely, smart, articulate and genuine person and so talented. A breath of fresh air, no pretence at all, love her.

[@mohleehwah]

❤ 3:20

[@larrywilliams2442]

She is the best thing happen to classical music in a generation. I think she's the best and will single handedly increase interest in classical music and piano by at least 10% Hope she comes back to the LA area soon!!

[@qndy9999]

At least 30%. I used to practise the violin when I was young. Without a pair of good ears, I progressed no more but always enjoy listening to classical music. I used to think all pianists' playing were very similar, until I bumped into Yuja in youtube.

[@nadaniente115a]

Impossible not to fall in love with such a wonderful, genuine person, and such a great pianist. You can play Beethoven wearing jeans and showing your legs, what's the problem? She is impressive, humble, and lovely! I'm sure Beethoven would be delighted listening to her playing.

[@hkoong]

七十多年前 在上海 我的大姐是 龬琴家 那時候 開了很多的單人音乐表演 她的音乐老师是法国人 学费相当的贵因为我的父亲在那时候很有鈛 後來到韓囯 倝戰發生 父亲去世~~~ 所以现在我很喜欢 听 王玉子 弹鋼琴

[@diogosimoes3727]

@@hkoong yeah, i agree

[@thevoiceoftruth1052]

The is trust an Amazing human being, I pray she finds the trust of her existence and the one who love her the most.

[@PetraKann]

Fall in love?

[@nadaniente115a]

@@PetraKann Why not? :-)

[@James_Bowie]

Highly intelligent and articulate. Would love to see her in concert.

[@corean3polar]

She is the musician that excites me the most these days. Cant believe we get to witness her growth as an artist for years to come!

[@David-R.]

3:05 the innocence and purity is confirmed in the way she laughed. Most highly-intelligent people are pure people; no time for hate, jealousy or envy; they live in their own world of creativity disconnected from all the filth that surrounds them. I love her and admire her so much!

[@mercedesdujunco6957]

I am impressed by how articulate she is and yet she is also quite spontaneous and genuine.

[@dennispearson871]

This is a Wonderful Interview !! By Far my favorite Yuja Wang interview on the internet !! ...5 Stars 🌟 hands Down !!..

[@harryboggon8718]

A charming Wonderful Genius and I love Her so much She must be a joy to any interviewer 💝

[@ericlucas5790]

Amazing, powerful, humble, and simply - brilliant.

[@mirandahsue4497]

She is one of her kind a smooth blend of human emotions and heavenly feelings We are so lucky that she is born to our generation an Angel on earth 😊

[@Lpmgato1]

Magnetic, charismatic, charming, witty, beautiful, charming, and remarkably accomplished pianist. What a treasure! Her smile, infectious laugh, tend to mask her brilliance, creativity, wisdom beyond her years. Yuja Wang is heaven sent gift to humanity. I wish her continued success, joy, happiness, both in her music, and all aspects of her life. Totally irresistible, for sure!

[@brandonanosike5346]

I agree 100%!

[@sircurlyfries1326]

why does it matter if she's pretty, charming, or magnetic? I think of all the greats who were over shadowed because they didn't have the looks or personality.

[@worldcitizen9202]

@@sircurlyfries1326 Sir Grumpyfries rather ....

[@benjaminhuang4733]

She is a gift to the world.

[@ajarnwordsmith628]

It's a pity you didn't have a good word to say about her...

[@quarcoo11]

WHAT I LOVE MOST WHEN INTERVIEWING THIS PRETTY LADY IS THE WAY SHE OCCASIONALLY LAUGHS - VERY NICE OF HER!!!

[@alanwong2025]

I love Yuja. She speaks with heart & soul.

[@tbxsallis]

Not only drop dead gorgeous, but a sparky, bubbly personality, and the most talented pianist EVER

[@UmaBerliner]

She's just brilliant in every way. I really enjoy her insights and the way she talks about her process. Enormous depth and subtlety and nuance and comprehension of music and life. And the talent is overwhelming. What a human being! Great to see her. Viva Yuja Wang!

[@dennispearson871]

Yuja FOREVER !!!!!...

[@swd210]

So candid and full of joy. Yuja is a delight to hear her speak and talk about the music she plays.

[@jamesneilsongrahamloveinth1301]

For many performers an interview is a chore to be endured - the questions are banal and the answers give nothing away. Yuja Wang quickly recognises that Ben Finane's interest is genuine so she is able to relax. The result is a revelatory conversation . . .

[@lmq0209]

Really like her, she's so authentic and real and such a talented musician. Going to watch her performance next month in London.

[@ahom4]

Men på den anden side kand tvære det samme

[@adrianopiano5551]

Lucky you

[@pamzib4080]

She’s brilliant, the nuances she can bring to a fast and difficult piece are astounding. I just love her concerts.

[@tbxsallis]

agreed , I saw her at Proms recently, her performance of Liszt was sublime, the tenderness when she played the slower parts was amazing

[@NikoHL]

Brilliant artist and so charming.. Quite a combination.

[@igormaxwel6093]

Best female pianist of the world! #MyHeartIsToYujaWang

[@waqasahmed-uq9il]

She is an interesting personality and a great performer.

[@ethanchen3660]

Its interesting to see her talking about her curiosity (and holding off) of Beethoven and Brahms. Just two years later she stunned the audience with marvelous Hammerklavier sonata. Glad to see her artistic development.

[@ValuedVintage]

She is young and incredibly talented. She can attract the younger generation, introduce them to good music. She dresses appropriately for her young age.

[@danielngaruiya3256]

I can't believe I heard Uuja say that she is not disciplined. I think of her as one of the most discipline persons ever. After watching a previous interview of her I decided to be more disciplined in doing regular practice and my piano playing has already began to improve.

[@davidnallred8]

This is an absolutely outstanding interview.

[@dianal.1279]

Wow, she's so sensible in her approach. Such an amazing pianist and she recognizes she isn't ready to move on to some composers, that it isn't her time for them yet. That's so smart and inspiring. She's fantastic!

[@leahhoward7645]

Yuja is such an icon! I would invite her for a “dead or alive guests” dinner party

[@davidcottrell1308]

beautiful and talented. also, quite brilliant...!! She's a great example for all musicians! (and all humans, for that matter: enjoy your life!!)

[@esreve1]

I can imagine that in fifty years this interview is still interesting to see. Yuja Wang is the most well adapted to our times as a guide into classical music for young girls who love the piano and want to be cool, like my daughter. This interview is a classic in its genre.

[@downdog70]

She is an amazing, natural musician - born with a gift. With the depth she exudes in her late 20's, imagine what she will be like in her 50's.

[@peakdavid]

I love how she talks about "becoming the music." In her performance, one can see how she seems to channel the composer and enter a state of mind in which she is the music. Her focus is ethereal and transformative.

[@mikewoehrle6781]

Soo right dr w

[@dennispearson871]

Well Said !! Yes !! She is One with the music 🎶 !!!.....

[@setifaast]

She's so cool. Love her.

[@marcrekart9089]

Probably the greatest female classical pianist alive today. Certainly one of the most beautiful women on the planet. Always a blessing to hear her. Always a blessing to see her.

[@billjurgenson6267]

she both unquestionably!

[@jamesconraadtucker]

Impressive lady. Knowing where and what direction she wants to take, while knowing she has still a long journey ahead to explore other greats such as Mozart and Beethovan. No sense getting lost in what doesn't strike your emotional fancy.

[@mattcastellanos2178]

Stunningly Clear understanding of her connections to pieces and the heart & mind of these composers. It’s like she speaks for these long passed composers.

[@pianorama]

Thanks for posting this; she is so real.

[@sobojetty]

Darn!! Watching and listening to her is mesmerizing.

[@xzhang888]

Great interview, thank you for posting. I got to see her intellect, not just her music. What a smart girl, I look forward to hearing her Beethoven. It should come soon.

[@cmkilcullen8176]

She understands the ineffable connection to something higher via music. Listening to her is like listening to interviews of Jimi Hendrix trying to put into words his experience of music and expression. She is the Jimi Hendrix of classical piano. Innovative, powerful, passionate and sensual. In the world for sure but not of the world. Hendrix and Coltrane come to mind for me. I love hearing her live. She and a few others have ignited my curiosity about classical music. I hope I live to see the day when she composes something original.

[@WJE37FCSM]

She appears to have put a lot of thought into her musical choices, I just hope she doesn't put off the big Beethoven Concertos too much longer as I still want to be around when she plays them. Also, everyone comments on her virtuosity but I'm most impressed by the power of those hands. It's almost scary.

[@brandonanosike5346]

True and True and delightful.

[@grumpygramps5350]

Yuja says that she's 'not very disciplined'..... 🤔 I'm sorry Yuja but to play the piano so beautifully & make it look effortlessly takes a lot of discipline & that's why you're probably the greatest female pianist on the 🌏 oh & pretty too 😊❤️

[@greaterbayareahero1401]

She is being humble. But I like that she is not politically correct all the time and being completely honest as herself. Some people may think she is not the conventional pianist but I just say to her go and enjoy the time at her youth. I love her to be herself and I get a lot from her interviews because of her honesty. She has the talent to do anything she wants.

[@user-vp1vl6yp9t]

disciplined is about doing things you don't like.

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

WHATEVER she chooses to perform is a bonus for her "fans"......a gift for us. Complain, and make judgements at your own risk. She is an amazing performer, woman, and human being! Absolutely love what she does, says, and performs. And, yes, consider me smitten! Thank You Yuja.

[@markmartel1738]

She might be the greatest pianist period.

[@TheWaterman2011]

She is an incredible talent- I am looking forward to see her.

[@bruceerogan3662]

I cried when she started talking about Chopin and Rachmaninoff's elegy played in the background😭 they are my all time favourites!!!

[@BosuxRedsux]

Articulate, humble and talented

[@ClavierComposer]

As a child she was a true Wunderkind and now is a stunning, brilliant artist. Bravissima, Yuja!

[@academiademusicatonipascua2435]

i have to see it two times, one listen her music, the other listen to her...

[@lf5656]

So young, but she speaks with depth. Very intelligent girl. she's very attractive, doesnt need to dress too showy,

[@jaimeduncan6167]

The interview es also a master's piece. Very good.

[@leonwang3072]

“It’s always about curiosity and satisfying curiosity.” Wow.

[@justicelut]

Just a superb musician and a beautiful young lady as well. Supremely talented!

[@ericastier1646]

I like her spontaneity and she is very good at expressing her ideas with simple words. I think the classical music world needed a fresh new horizons fun person like her.

[@Steinwaygrande]

Good interview and what a fun loving young lady. It shows in her playing . Come to Australia please !!!

[@julianlineham]

Fabulous talent and personality

[@Avabelieve]

It takes solitude to play Beethoven, who is like a bottle of wine - can't agree more!

[@gottuvadyam]

She is surprisingly articulate in English. I'm impressed, especially considering that English is a language she picked up relatively late. Not many musicians could express themselves well verbally even in their own mother tongue, particularly when it comes to the music they play. But she seems to have a level of maturity belied by her looks and relatively young age. Add to that her being quite personable and she delivers quite a package beyond her immense pianistic talent.

[@jwt1035]

She started studying in America at age 11.

[@zizhang9747]

Her music is really beautiful and lovely. I also like her personality, she seems live in her music.😁 Vivian

[@charlytorres1077]

it would be surprising if she couldn’t express herself in English after growing up in USA

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

Incredibly well spoken, talented, and very beautiful: how could you not fall in love with her? ❤❤❤

[@violetflower1994]

She lived in America

[@powerofone1645]

Unbelievable skills.

[@sjcachero7046]

Someone I aspire to be.

[@miket8159]

Beautiful and talented woman, I love her.

[@mariodisarli1022]

"Beautiful and talented woman, ..." Ha,ha,ha! ===> New York CLASSICAL REVIEW < Yuja shows familiar flash but a lack of depth in Carnegie recital> By Eric C. Simpson May 15.2016 Ha, ha, ha! Yuja is a well-oiled (Sexsells + Kitsch) Chinese sewing machine ??? The YW belongs to that breed of performers who win a prominent place in the concert programs (and in the list of cachet) without ever having won a first prize at the most prestigious competitions. YW ===> PR product !!!

[@tonnefan-4866]

+Mario DiSarli what's up with you saying that, weird

[@johnguttink]

+Mario DiSarli I suggest you get your ears checked and buy hearing aids. Oh and while you're at it, get some glasses too.

[@henrykoh1850]

Also he (Mario Disarli) need to get his brain scan too before it go haywire!. :)

[@junenovae]

since when having a "small dick" (or trouble with it) is a fine insult to say? At the worst +Mario DiSarli is racist and at the best he just has his own taste. I do not agree with him at all as I love Yuja Wang a lot, but I do not think getting down to this level of insult is correct. Why is it so hard for a lot of people to just take criticism and respond to it without involving some type of sexual frustration ou jealousy? I am with you because as I said I love Yuja Wang, but don't you think you could try to be more profound or accept that there's never going to be someone that everyone loves, even someone as great as her? Please.

[@charlieff2]

Lovely + Pianist

[@michaelkoreli8950]

I Love Yuja :)

[@gracepei917]

me too:)

[@Karmaliciouss]

Loving u more, Yuja, after watching this vid - u rock, girl!! Can't wait to finally see and hear u play live in HK this June!! :*

[@bgunardi7]

0

[@mariodisarli1022]

+Bebe Flores "She (Khatia Buniatishvili) is Amsterdam red light district , mediocre classical pianist, she and Yuga Wang, i think they try to compensate for their lack of talent, i think they are both overrated and need a book on etiquette badly. I am not a prude but these chicks look like they carry a supply of penicillin with them, they can't be taken seriously, neither is pretty, so i assume the dressing is used to distract the people from their looks, and Khatia with all the phony hair flipping which is so unauthentic. I am not being mean just real, we all like pretty things and they could be sexy without looking classically hookerish, someone should tell them, but i think they have been told and don't care, they look like rough broads." martha jane

[@mariodisarli1022]

+Mario DiSarli "Sex sells ...classical music?" Sex sells. Marketing professionals know that, which is why advertisements for everything from cars to beer regularly feature scantily clad women. We live in an age where appearance is more important than ever before; scientific studies suggest that more attractive people get better jobs and are happier. Until recently, classical music was one of the few industries where sex is not usually used to sell the product. Performers often dress within a prescribed fashion, with men wearing dinner suits or tuxedos and women wearing full-length dresses. However, a number of prominent musicians have recently been courting controversy for their appearance. Young Chinese pianist Yuja Wang has received as much coverage about her appearance as her performances recently, with the Los Angeles Times commenting, “Her dress [on] Tuesday was so short and tight that had there been any less of it, the Bowl might have been forced to restrict admission to any music lover under 18 not accompanied by an adult. Had her heels been any higher, walking, to say nothing of her sensitive pedaling, would have been unfeasible.” It’s not just women pushing the envelope, though. American organist Cameron Carpenter, a soloist with this year’s NZSO National Youth Orchestra, has received a great deal of media attention for wearing white stovepipe trousers and bejewelled tops during performances. In an interview with Radio New Zealand’s Kathryn Ryan, Carpenter admitted that he regularly works out at the gym, and opined that a musician’s appearance is “extremely important”. Korean-American violinist Hahn-Bin describes himself as “Viagra to classical music”, and dresses flamboyantly, complete with heavy eyeliner and Mohawk hairstyle.

[@Karmaliciouss]

Jym Caputo hahaha omg i just read all these comments. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder my dear Mario, same goes for music. We all have our individual preferences in beauty and we all have our individual expression. What may be beautiful for some may be appalling for others and vice versa. I first watched Yuja Wangs rendition of Volodos' Alla turca and she wasnt at all wearing anything fancy. Just a tshirt and jeans in probably some practice room and I was hooked. Her fashion statement "in my opinion" is just icing on the cake. And not a sexual distraction to compensate on her incompetence like how Mario rudely describes it. If u cant take it, dont watch her. Hahaha seriously. It's like when i listen to say Lang Lang. I get distracted with his movements.. so i just "listen" to him instead. He does still undoubtedly have some of the most interesting tone coloration and phrasings I've ever heard... "in my opinion" 😁 have a blessed Sunday everyone.

[@Karmaliciouss]

Mario DiSarli oh and for the record, i really like Cameron Carpenter too. He's got amazing footwork in the Revolutionary Etude 😍

[@texanfrog1750]

this was very heart warming

[@artcast01]

Yuja doesn't shows her legs only, she shows her heart, and her brain too. When she refers about the approach and needings to play Beethoven, she's clever enough to know what she'll need. When she reaches that point in her life, I am sure she will render an incredible Beethoven, as she already did with the Russians.

de sus entrevistas lo más lindo es oir cantar su risa salpicada de notas magistrales

[@milton3204]

This chick's a piano beast!.

[@Kotopi]

You are a shame of human being!

[@markknego7658]

I'm new to classical music and one of the first CDs I bought was the Dudamel/Wang Rachmaninoff Prokofiev CD. WHAT AN INTRODUCTION! Extraordinary, just extraordinary.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

What an articulate, thoughtful, and brilliant musician. Consummate in technique and feel; pure transcendent pleasure to see and hear.

[@nakedmambo]

It's atrocious the way some people talk about her in these comments. Just because she is a pianist there's this idea that she can't choose her own clothes and has to dress in a particular way to suit a bunch of puritanical idiots. She's a young woman too and like any other she can decide how to dress. She does her job, which is playing, and that's all people need to concern themselves with.

[@charlottegodbolt5138]

Agree! She herself loves high fashion and puts it out there proudly and looks damn fine in it too.. so why shouldn’t we talk about it? 😁 It’s clear she considers it all part of the live performance package (otherwise if we’re pretending not to look -seriously?- she may as well pre-recipes it and not even be there..) so we should we ignore that side of it. She’s awesome 😎

[@charlottegodbolt5138]

*pre-record

[@jponz85]

Idk why people complain. She's got sexy ass legs for an asian, beautiful skin tone, smile and a cute face overall. I'm not complaining I just wish she would show more skin LMAO

[@Red-ju4mi]

YOU PURITANS !!

[@shirleymason7697]

I am an 85-year-old woman, and a in general a conservative, and I think the way she dresses is just fine - wonderful, in fact. Any who complain, shut up and listen. That will be your highest function.

[@fullmetta2764]

Love hearing Yuja describe her internal experience of music, of the different composers, "...like leaves circling around on a grave".

[@billlarson226]

The first time hearing a great pianist shy away from Beethoven. She's such an incredible artist.

[@walterbizzotto9831]

Hi I really enjoy your music . Walter .

[@TipoQueTocaelPiano]

4:00 Amazing description of the russian composers

[@mickdunn8423]

Her 'sexiness' is good fun...she has made it part of her persona to give the stuffy, 'up-themselves Music Snobs something to be uncomfortable with! GOOD FUN!!!

[@jerometaylor4243]

+Mick Dunn Totally agree Mick!!

[@lotusbuds2000]

+Mick Dunn agree

[@mariodisarli1022]

Classical music? No! Western consumerism !!! money making machine!!! player.vimeo.com/video/57468088?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=d30000&api=1&player_id=media-player Goethe, Faust: "Nach Golde drängt, Am Golde hängt, Doch alles. Ach wir Armen!"

[@chrisbanyan3564]

Lass Goethe in Ruhe Du Kretin

[@miguelsancha4546]

"normal" never got listened to. the catholic church, and any power after that (and before it) killed off "not normal", so ppl learned very quickly to be "normal" except Gallileo, Newton, Einstein, Copernicus.. all those that made an actual difference, so, go, Go Yuja, Go!!! amazing brilliant talent. these days one would say, of course, Jobs, Gates, '''berg... (Z), and M.. none of whom ever visited any university and did ANYTHING that would be considered "normal" ..

[@Jack-eo5fn]

Wow. Shoutout to her Mom for taking her to free rehearsals of the great compositions.

[@user-ze3bd9ub9t]

What a brilliant and wonderful person, she makes me feel lucky to be alive...to experience her "craft" through our universal language is an extreme privilege and pleasure.

[@phuongweary5433]

Awesome young Lady

[@wanhoongyip4925]

A wonderful interview with the great classical pianist Yuja. i enjoyed watching 👍👍👍👏👏👏

[@reallynotpc]

"Not very flexible or discplined" she says. If we believe that, we'll believe anything. Happily she is also deeply musical so if we need to, we can overlook the fact that she is also charming and gorgeous. (I don't need to...)

[@nikolajbentzon7554]

Good interviewer detailing the music. - as opposed to the TV interviews around....

[@debhall7743]

this is a brilliant interview insight with Yuja Wang. Thank you Ben, a joy to discover albiet in 2024 and listen to someone who is so right for our time, so talented and genuinely special 😊

[@alursvedea5360]

You'd say she's native English by accent. So well spoken and humble

[@pocnit]

Lol definitely not. But she sounds good.

[@keepers...]

I love listening to her philosophy and her relationship to her music.

[@jennaberg287]

The interviewer asks great questions!

[@phuongweary5433]

Very nice interview

[@enriquevignola8256]

Gifted!!! Shinning!!! Brilliant!!!

[@santiagorex9361]

Wo ai ni Wang Yujia!!!

[@dadautube]

Yuja Wang! you're beautiful! you're a genius! you're a rare gem! an angel or a fairy from a mythological tale of all beauty and fantasy and magic and all ... wish i were much younger and worthy of asking you to marry me! seriously!

[@johnayumi]

lovely！！

[@user-ze3bd9ub9t]

A brilliant, wonderful mind. A global treasure .

[@stevedimartino683]

She is an excellent performance, I love the way she plays so virtuoso

[@ronwalker4849]

YUJA IS SUCH AN EXTROARDINARY ARTISTIC, BOTH SPIRITUAL, AND FULL OF LIFE. PERSON. SHE IS ONE IN A BILLION. LISTENING TO HER JUST LAUGH, FILLS ME WITH JOY. SHE WAS KISSED BY GOD.

[@cmkilcullen8176]

oh yes... and fun for sure..

[@raddastronaut]

I’m enthralled.

[@alrocillo5962]

I love your style: VERY PASSIONATE AND INSPIRING! A super TOUR DE FORCE! Please come To Hawaii! Aloha!

[@robertedwardsmusic360]

I think I'm in love

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

you get to proceed to the end of a very long line......😉

[@southtexaspiano3813]

Yuja, I think you are ready for Beethoven...

[@jaimeduncan6167]

The issue, If I understand her correctly is one of emotional connection. She likes to bring sound to her performances, and back then she did not feel like she already got Beethoven, the person and the motivation on the music. I believe that is something only she can gauge.

[@ThePmfan]

She does a pretty rad version of the Hammerklavier on KZbin.