Yunchan Lim 임윤찬 - LISZT OCTAVE HERO (Vision, Eroica, Wilde Jagd)

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0:00 Liszt Liked Octave Jumps!
1:15 Yunchan's Triumphant Cliburn Performances
4:49 "Vision" - Transcendental Etude no. 6
7:58 "Eroica" - Transcendental Etude no. 7
12:12 Yunchan's roots are Bach & Beethoven
15:05 "Wilde Jagd" - Transcendental Etude no. 8
19:10 Pogorelich v Yunchan
26:23 Joe Patrych, R.I.P.
Check out my website: benlaude.com/
IG: / benlawdy
Listen to Yunchan's complete Transcendental Etudes: www.steinway.com/music-and-ar...
Watch Yunchan's complete Transcendental Etudes: • Yunchan Lim 임윤찬 - LISZ...
~ No. 6 Vision: • Yunchan Lim 임윤찬 - LISZ...
~ No. 7 Eroica: • Yunchan Lim 임윤찬 - LISZ...
~ No. 8 Wilde Jagd: • Yunchan Lim 임윤찬 - LISZ...
Listen to Pogorelich's 1990 Carnegie Recital: • Ivo Pogorelich ..Recit...
~ Wilde Jagd: • Ivo Pogorelich ..Liszt...
Watch the other videos in my Yunchan series on the Tonebase Piano channel:
~ • Is Yunchan Lim’s Rachm...
~ • Yunchan Lim 임윤찬 LAUGHS...
~ • Yunchan Lim 임윤찬, Liszt...
~ • Yunchan vs Trifonov: T...
Special thanks to Daniel Kurganov, Joe Sabia, and Bryan Huh for their help in my preparation and production of this video.

No longer with tonebase? What happened?

[@benlawdy]

Left on mutual terms - partly to start this channel, but also to pursue other piano-related projects/collaborations that I've been looking forward to for a long time. I want to really focus on creating piano content for YT, whereas the tonebase YT channel was not my main job there, I just worked overtime on it because it was really fun.

@@benlawdy Thanks for the reply. To me you were tonebase.

[@tekraynak]

@tonebase got silly lately. Best for him to make his own channel

[@MC-hx6xn]

bruh i signed up to tonebase bc of Ben, I can't be the only one. Glad that you're posting again.

[@baddognobiscuit2]

I watched your tonebase yunchan commentary a few times. I just kept learning and learning more. But the Listz?! I have disliked Listz for 80 years. Too much noise. It hurt my brain. And suddenly with yunchan I heard music. I sent for the disc and sometimes listen 2 or 3 times a day. I hear something new every time and it is so beautiful. Every single time. The more you want to talk about pianists the more I will listen. Bring it on! With many thanks

[@tonyventura4605]

Yunchan was stupendous at his Carnegie Hall debut last night. The op 25 etudes were among the very best of the last 2 decades.

[@tonyventura4605]

I’m referring to yunchan’s Carnegie Hall performance of Chopin’s op 10 and op 25. Bravo!

[@americanswan]

​@@tonyventura4605Today, April 19th 2024, Yunchan released those on Melon Music for all subscribers to hear. Melon Music is Korean's version of Spotify.

[@bernardd]

Your story telling.. OMG! OMG! OMG!

[@carolemyers-hj2rd]

Jaw-dropped. Doesn’t even seem humanly possible. Divine!

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

Yunchan's "High Definition" playing as you put it, taking care of every musical "pixel" to get a sharp musical image when zoomed out is undoubtedly the end result of practicing meticulously all day and night before and during the competition. He was recording and sending clips of his playing to his teacher for advice and feedback in the early hours of the morning, to which he pleaded him to go to sleep haha. His perfectionism, sheer dedication and work ethic is insane, I just hope that he doesn't burn himself out and takes care of himself so we can enjoy his sensational music making for years and decades to come!

[@benlawdy]

I don't know him personally, but every impression I get is that he's too in love with the music to burn out. Maybe he'll burn out from nonstop concert life, but that will probably be a blessing if/when it happens - because of the music he'll learn and record while not flying around the world all the time.

[@kutsitiryakihayattakaldi]

Hello twosetter :D can we get eddy and brett to see yunchan and make a video about him with sofie oui oui. That would be sAcRiLeGiOuS. (Maybe someone can post his playing on lingling40hrs i cant do it because i dont use reddit but that would be awsome if someone did it)

[@CeliaMendez-rx3pk]

⁠@@benlawdy😮

[@Michachel]

Just saw the yunchan lim rach 3 concert in Boston and it was incredible. I would argue it was even better than his competition recording.

[@totohana07]

I heard YUNCHAN almost not seeing piano but to see orchestra during all the playing time. I really wish more his videoes to be recorded.not only sound.. his gesture is reaally interesting too.... I still remember when he was staring orchestra at the CLIBURN.most impressing time. 😊

[@hurricane_hazel]

There is a recording of the live broadcast of his Saturday night BSO concert on YT. Excellent quality. I have to agree- I never thought he’d be able to surpass his cliburn performance of the Rach 3 but I liked it better in Boston.

[@Michachel]

@@hurricane_hazel yeah I just found that one, much better than my recording thankfully

[@spongie7403]

I never grow tired of listening to Yunchan’s music or to you going on and on about his excellence.

[@benlawdy]

That's nice to hear! I know it annoys others, but I'm also starting to use these Yunchan videos as a vehicle for exploring the music and considering other pianists/interpretations.

[@requiemforamerica8432]

@@benlawdy KEEP DOING IT !! what a treat it is for us 💯💢 !!

[@Pablo-gl9dj]

He gets a 10 for technical brilliance but musically exhausting to my ears

[@zelimircabraja7529]

Ben, thank you for sharing that. I watched this clip a months ago replying now. As a music producer I dare to say that Yunchan is a perfect, divine combination of young Pogorelich and great Horowitz. The future for Art is bright!

[@skeleton.]

Ben Laude. Please don’t stop making videos. It’s fantastic Your humour is very humorous. On a more serious note, the dedication at the end to Joe Patrych was beautiful. Thank you Ben

[@91483]

Thank you for making this video describing Yunchan's music with such intelligence and respect while most of us just remain speechless.

[@primadonna82]

Thank you sooo much for Yunchan series. His performances never fails to give me goosebumps, tears, and heart palpitations.

[@patrickventura4326]

Dude was awesome playing all of Chopin’s études at Carnegie Hall! Flashes of Pollini in his prime!

[@user-uo3lw9tb4n]

I'm your Korean fan. Thank you so much. Thanks to your explanation, I was able to understand Yoonchan's performance well.

[@JohnGavin-hz9bc]

Listened to Yunchan’s recording of the 24 Chopin Etudes yesterday. They are truly astounding. Inner voices one would never imagine, yet they never interfere with the musical cohesiveness. He seems to take them all to another level. Sometimes the brilliance is unprecedented and sometimes the subtleties are unsurpassed. All this st age 18. Incredible!

[@sappallow]

You mentioned the courageous use of staccato in Romantic music. I agree 100%. This occasional use of dry clarity is what I've always loved about Horowitz. It really adds to the excitement, drama, and contrast of sections.

[@mmdd77]

Bellissimo video, molto istruttivo. Yunchan Lim, credo fermamente, e assurdamente, lo so, che sia un miracolo vivente, il più 'grande' cui abbia mai assistito. Credo che 'tutto' provenga da una incredibile assenza di 'ego', di ogni forma di auto-celebrazione della propria incredibile maestria, e che proprio così facendo , tutto quello che fa sgorga da un qualche punto misterioso di se stesso, o dello spazio, o dell'universo...non so. rendendo tutto così 'facilmente' superiore, così trascendentalmente 'naturale' rispetto al migliore , semplicemente umano... È innanzitutto, credo, un'incredibile persona.

[@user_k1k1n1kk1]

I’m a big YCL fan, and yes, that’s why I am here. However the Pogorelich performance is mind blowing, wow! By the way, watching/listening all your hilarious short video clips and comments, I am curious what’s in your brain! Thanks for making another awesome video clip for the piano fans!

[@benlawdy]

So glad you enjoy my brain dumps! Yunchan's a boss, but also can't wait to make videos about other pianists. Pogorelich needs his own video (at LEAST one) for sure...

[@user_k1k1n1kk1]

@@benlawdy Definitely!

[@Chopin-Etudes-Cosplay]

I really appreciate the dedication and attention-to-detail in your videos. It’s maybe the best tribute anyone can give to the artist and composer. Thank you for this labor of love to the pianists, composer, and last but not least, the recorder, the late Joe Patrych.

[@benlawdy]

Thank you - I'm getting a little faster at them and am investing in some tools that should automate aspects of the edit which are otherwise unbelievably tedious and time consuming.

[@Chopin-Etudes-Cosplay]

@@benlawdy Yes, I see your photoshop tabs at 6:42 😉

[@benlawdy]

@@Chopin-Etudes-Cosplay I was waiting for this comment! I also included some subliminal messages in the yunchan Feux Follets video for tonebase - when the old KZbin interface pops up

[@gixelz]

im excited you did this! eroica is my favorite liszt etude, and yunchan lims performance i watch almost every single night while studying

[@mosescho2694]

Thank you for the detailed and exciting review! As a piano lover already familiar with Pogorelich’s mind-blowing rendition, what struck me the most about YCL’s playing was that, besides all the historical and literary contexts behind the piece, he reveals the glittering lyricism of Liszt so masterfully. It's no surprise that many listeners remarked on the profound musicality of the piece after hearing YCL’s performance.

[@shiaya9388]

Omg. You're my hero! I am waiting for you to comment more of his performances. He's sensational. And keeps getting better at his recent performances they're Transcendentals with his playing. .

[@benlawdy]

Sorry it's taken me like two years to finally do this... two more videos coming on the rest of Yunchan's transcendentals (March and April target releases), but also starting to make videos about pianists not named Yunchan ;)

[@marciahill4591]

yay! we’ve been patiently waiting for the rest of your Yunchan review! 👏💕

[@benlawdy]

@@marciahill4591 thank you for your patience!!

[@shiaya9388]

​@@benlawdy no problem. I'll wait for your other vids esp of Yunchan's. 🥳

[@celesteaida48]

My goosebumps genius.. I’ll see and hear him next Sunday February 18…..can’t wait!

[@benlawdy]

Rach 3 in Boston? (I stalk pianist tour schedules) I'd love to know how that goes. I'm working on one last vid for the tonebase channel where I compare his Cliburn Rach 3 to one I heard in person last summer at Bravo Vail.

[@hurricane_hazel]

I have tickets that day too. 😂

[@benlawdy]

Did y'all see he's doing Rach 2 with Alsop in Baltimore in April?

[@hurricane_hazel]

@@benlawdy I like to stealth audio record- I can send to you if the person next to me doesn’t cough the entire show.

[@londongael414]

@@benlawdy Can't wait for that one - there were some interesting critical comments... But meanwhile, thank you for this - love it!

[@trifonovfan9819]

Although I'm a fan of Pogorelich, I prefer Yunchan's TE's. Yunchan's precision is mighty impressive. And Yunchan performed all 12 of Liszt 's TE's in a competition which also included his magnificent Rach 3, a steady Beethoven 3rd concerto and his charming rendition of Mozart's Concerto #22 . Not to mention delicious Scriabin, Bach and a marvelous Mozart sonata. He's the next Kissin.

[@SirloucoPiano]

Watching the video of Yunchan playing the 12 transcendental etudes is so humiliating. The way he plays is so clean and everything make sense. That's insane for any pianist, specially for a 19yo boy. He is so young and will have many great performances to show to us. Great video Ben! :)

[@Mofos_of_Metal]

That Liszt shirt in the Iron Maiden font is very cool - Liszt is one of the most "Metal" composers and these thunderous octave passages are a great way of converting Metalheads to Classical music!

[@eggizgud]

There's a KZbin of Yunchan 'headbanging' to the Mephisto Waltz No 1 as he plays it.

[@emmywu487]

I see Yunchan, I click immediately. Thanks for your explanations Ben...looking forward to more!!

[@haiji1996]

OMG I'm glad I found your channel! I enjoy your Yunchan review videos so much. I view them over and over again. I can't wait for more! I'm so worried that Yunchan is recovering from a hand injury but I look forward to going to his concert here in Japan in May. He's going to play Chopin's concerto no. 2. I wish I could go to all of his concerts all over the world.

[@abee5612]

Congratulations on launching your new channel! I’m excited to subscribe and support your content. I’m revisiting the memorable performances of Yunchan Lim from the 2022 Van Cliburn competition. Thank you for your dedication and hard work in providing us with top-quality material. It was definitely worth the wait. Thank you, thank you!

[@benlawdy]

Thanks for your support! I told myself I need to finish this series before the next Cliburn rolls around...

[@asianpearl1321]

There are many musicians, pianists and all are great in their own way that captured admiration from the beholder. Yunchan Lim happened to capture my ears and eyes! His style of touching the piano that is purely "Yunchanism" perhaps his improvisation in his own terms and manner! In my own terms he is Limarkable!

[@totohana07]

thanks for uploading. I reall hope he would also compose his own pieces of music some day 😊too. Nobody upload videoes like you are doing now. your videoes really help me to understand how Yunchan is doing. I have been seeing many players and many concours . many koreans have got 1st prizes and top 3 prizes so it really not special KOREAN WIN 1ST. but YUNCHAN was very special.. I even did replayed more than dozen times when I first watched his playing RACH. I even did not interested when I heard he was a winner. But watching his RACH changed everything... before him, I barely listen the whole of concerto...only parts.. but he has some kinds of magic to make people mesmerisinginto himmm. I dont think other pianists can follow his all skill..it is not kinds of ,can copy,things. he naturally born with it in my opinions.

[@benlawdy]

I would like to know if Seong-Jin Cho or Yeol Eum Son ever received the same kind of celebration? I'm sure they're beloved in Korea as well, no?

[@missyy3432]

@@benlawdy I don't live in Korea but have been following the music scene in Korea via... the Internet (it helps that I can read Korean, though the advantage has been blunted by AI and google translate ;)). Cho (and to a lesser degree, Son) has been a "national" hero in the public eye ever since his Chopin win and continues to enjoy a massive fanbase. In fact, both Cho and Lim are famous for their "picketing" prowess-- e.g., their performances in Korea sell out in less than a minute. But critics/fans have noted that the public craze has reached a noticeably more intense (and widespread) fever pitch in Lim's case probably because of the combination of: 1) KZbin; 2) the sheer speed of Lim's ascent to global piano stardom; 3) his youth (Cho was in his mid-20s when he won Chopin); 4) Lim's status as a "Korean" product (i.e., no schooling in the West); and maybe most importantly, 5) Lim's iconic (and iconoclastic!) style of playing that flies against the conventional "competition-friendly" style. Some Korean critics have described Cho as the valedictorian of the graduating class and Lim as a rebel (again, iconoclast) who wants to (literally) break the mold. So, in answer to your question, did Cho ever receive the same kind of celebration? Yes-- and no at the same time. ;) You might (or not!) be surprised to hear that a sort of "fan war" has been brewing between Cho-fans and Lim-fans-- let's hope what I've read on this front is an exaggerated rumor and not a reality! ;)

[@benlawdy]

@@missyy3432 Dear Missy - that is fascinating. Maybe I can find some funding to travel to Korea and cover this "fan war" some time.

[@bergkampdennis5673]

best pianist now!

[@estellasujin3568]

Fascinating story telling

[@jlbd19]

The beginning of a legendary KZbin channel 🙏🏼

[@benlawdy]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@kunikpiano]

Thank you for such a professional analysis. It was great.

[@benlawdy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zeferinoarroyo7673]

Yum Chan Kim was responsible for reigniting my love for concert piano geniuses ❤😊❤

[@ddestiny44]

You mean, Yunchan Lim?

[@nywicks]

Educational and entertaining as always!Thanks for all the “behind the scenes” explanation of the music and performance - love YCL’s Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes. Great story telling - yours and his. Keep them coming.

[@benlawdy]

Thank you! Just getting started here...

[@kutsitiryakihayattakaldi]

I am wondering if yunchan is watching these video series of Ben in his rare free time since we know he loves youtube there is always an possibility :D

[@benlawdy]

I've wondered that. But I also know he's very self critical and wasn't entirely satisfied with those Cliburn performances, so why would he want to relive them in such detail?? Also, he's got better things to do. Like memorize the entire Well-Tempered Clavier!

[@abee5612]

Ben, did you know you're a big celebrity in Korea? Everyone in classical music circles will eagerly watch this video and race to be the first one to translate it into Korean. That's how Yunchan will stumble upon your post and send you a warm, boyish smile with gratitude.

[@benlawdy]

@@abee5612 Aw well that' flattering to hear. Yes - I hope someone does better than the Korean Google translate I used on this video ;)

[@dionysus4778]

@@benlawdy 😆

[@kutsitiryakihayattakaldi]

@@benlawdy yes you are right but imo at least one of his friends made him to watch a little clip of your videos. There is no way a gen Z (yunchan :D) miss these videos since they are so popluar

[@patrickbellini8286]

Yunchan debut a Rach 2 last night in Pittsburg. And he’s set to debut the Prokofiev 2 in a few days from Paris! How is this possible?

[@user-of7jx8fn8q]

Do you have a recording of his rach 2? Would love to hear it!

[@robertalee3197]

Amazing sound, high-quality video, and your witty and professional commentary! Your video is truly special. 👍👍 It is also a great pleasure to hear the performance analysis of the miraculous pianist Yunchan Lim. This is also greatly appreciated! ❤

[@catherinejones9396]

Thanks Ben, and all the best with this streaming. I listened to these Etudes half a dozen times before I really got the whole together in my mind with the Clyburn. Having only played no 11 at Yunchan's age I was absolutely stunned overall. Seymour Bernstein commented about his admiration for young Yunchan's work. I was thrilled to see people who really understand the issues in playing these works, explain the difficulties and Yunchan's mastery so well. I look forward to more of your work re classical pianists and also to experiencing Yunchan's further development as a professional pianist. I pray he will one day play the Brahms' concerti.

[@shannonyi275]

It feels like I didn't breathe at all throughtout this whole video. I can imagine that you put endless hours into this. Thank you Ben. Three whole OMGs to you! You can rest assured that I will browse through your other clips as well!

[@benlawdy]

Please don't suffocate!

[@stefanbernhard2710]

High definition playing. Good analogy. Would really like to hear him do the b minor sonata

[@jaygatz4335]

Ben, if it weren't for Yunchan's performance and your analysis of it, I wouldn't know the first thing about the études. Your thorough research and references made me realize how significant these works are and to discern the storytelling behind them. That this 18-year old (at the time of the performance) is up there with the best of them gives such a boost to classical music and its potential younger audience. I was also thrilled that you did a video on the Rach 4, one of my favourites. Lugansky, Ohlsson, and Giltburg offered such valuable insights. I'm curious if you are a fan of Hummel. Dmitry Shishkin has a wonderful performance of Hummel's #2 on KZbin. Thousands of notes so deftly handled! Now I'm getting ready to see Hélène Grimaud perform live. Long live Pianoforte!

[@benlawdy]

Thank you for your comment and your support! Honestly, I didn’t care about the transcendentals either before I committed to researching them and realized how much more substance was there than I ever gave Liszt credit for. I’m very interested in Hummel. Of course his A minor concerto is a direct model for Chopin, but - like John Field nocturnes - we should appreciate it on its own merits and not just how it falls short of Chopin. But also Hummel’s biography was incredible, spanning both classical and romantic eras and being a pupil, peer, or mentor with just about every famous composer from both eras!

[@Pablo-gl9dj]

Field is no Chopin. His nocturnes are not memorable however pleasant they may be. Hummel was surpassed by Chopin but can withstand comparisons. But he did not compose one of the 8 or 10 romantic piano concertos that account for 90% of performances heard these days

[@shatin96]

I'm glad to find your another channel. You should've been in kawasaki symphony hall tonight. Yunchan played amazing, astonishing chopin etudes.(ops 10s & 25s) ❤

[@benlawdy]

Glad you found it, yes! The KZbin algorithms are all-wise and ever-knowing! I'm jealous you got to hear his Etudes live. I tried to get tickets to his upcoming Carnegie performance way back in August, with no luck.

[@dionysus4778]

@@benlawdy Omg, his packaged subscrip. tickets were already sold out Before the single tickets sale in August last year 🤣I don't think in the Carnegie history such an incident like this had ever happened. I've never purchased subscriptions but for that particular recital, I had to get it. Every dollar worthy of a wise investment 😍👍🐾

[@animalsarebeautifulpeople3094]

​@dionysus4778 yeah I knew it would be impossible to get single tix and got the entire series, and so far really loving it ! The final concert of the series is going to be Choi seongjin's recital and I'm looking forward to that too! What a bonus 😊

[@dionysus4778]

@@animalsarebeautifulpeople3094 I donated the rest tickets, just got the packaged sub for Yunchan's recital only 😆🤪

[@animalsarebeautifulpeople3094]

@@dionysus4778 oh wow! 😅 for me I love being in the hall 😊 one of my most favorite places in NYC 💚

[@Inwangsannn]

유쾌하고 유익하네요! 벤 당신의 영상은 클래식 음악 초보인 저에게 항상 새로운 시각과 지평을 제공합니다❤ 감사해요~좋아요와 구독 및 알림 설정 하고 갑니다

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

I agree. After listening to Yunchan’s Wilde Jagd, I was hugely impressed and marveled at his mastery. After Pogo’s Wilde Jagd, I felt like I’d just been through a thrilling, triumphant experience!

[@24cf648]

Happy to see your own channel

[@chiekomiami5022]

You are fun to listen to👌👌👌💕

[@benlawdy]

Glad you think so!

[@frankzhou3529]

A real pleasure coming across your new video & channel! Tonebase won't be the same without you, as I've long associated your wonderful editing & analysis with TB. Best of luck on your new venture & looking forward to your analysis of the last 4 etudes!

[@user-dq3te4mq1c]

Congratulations on the new channel, and I hope you'll commentate on Yunchan Lim's pianism Your interpretation takes me deeper into the world of music. Thank U🎉🎉🎉

[@wushuhuang8840]

謝謝你的努力，讓我可以看到續集。一直等待著。謝謝，謝謝，謝謝😊 Thanks for your hardworking so I can see this continuing part! Keep waiting till now. Thanks, thanks, many thanks! Happy Chinese New Year ! Blessings for this dragon year!

[@wushuhuang8840]

Also would like to share with you another pianist Kit Armstrong. He has a special view about Bach and Beethoven (sorry I can’t describe more clearly because I just started listening these from Yunchan… but found classical music so beautiful and interesting!)(another difficulty is language. Thanks for google translate.)

[@pedalboy7]

Ha..the split-screen edit of Yunchan playing the Eroica theme in time w/ Bernstein conducting the NY Phil is great! I love your videos and learn so much.

[@josephadriano5081]

Thanks for this video! I’m a fan of Yunchan. I’m also appreciate your videos & commentaries! Thanks Ben!

[@benlawdy]

My pleasure!

[@dionysus4778]

If you can't make it to his Boston concert, there will be a live streaming on 2/17/Saturday at 8 pm. I can't post the site, but you can google about it

[@benlawdy]

I might try to snag some of that live stream and use a clip of it in the tonebase video I'm making... (so I can have "2022 v 2023 v 2024" Rach 3s)

[@dionysus4778]

@@benlawdy Great! However, for the 2023, the Vail concert was in an outdoor venue + Yamaha = meh... sound quality, so it'd be unfair to be in comparison with those. The best Rach 3, IMO, in 2023 was the May 11 concert at the Lincoln Center with the NYPhil last year. I went to all 3 concerts and that 2nd concert was totally out of this world! (first was due to the sound quality, when I sat in the choir section. Last one was ruined by someone's phone ringing, playing the trumpet in the 3rd tier, disrupted my train of listening thought) Anyway, I'm still looking forward to your opinions on those Rach 3's though. ^^

[@benlawdy]

@@dionysus4778 it’s interesting because what I heard through the grapevine is that yunchan and James gaffigan (nyphil guest conductor) were not on the same wave length in New York, so yunchan was more inhibited in his interpretation. But maybe that was just the first night, and he was more comfortable the 2nd concert you mentioned. Obviously sound wise, New York was better - but I at least get to work with the professional recording, so it won’t sound like how most people experienced it who were there - with all the ambient sound that was coming from the road nearby. But the main reason the Vail performance is interesting, is it’s the first time Alsop reunited with Yunchan on THAT piece since the Cliburn, and I was able to get an interview with her. Also I interviewed three NYPhil members, and they talk about the May concert as well. Also, I accidentally captured yunchan doing lots of extra practicing on the Yamaha the day of the concert, so there will be lots of things to talk about!

[@dionysus4778]

@@benlawdy yeah, for sure we were all excited to see him reunited with Alsop in Vail! And it's quite true, the first concert could have been more on the same wavelength, when I felt the sound was not the best quality due to my choir seat. I still get goosebumps when I think of that night of the 2nd concert. 😭 I'll be in Boston for all 4 concerts next week! Can't wait to listen to him playing with the BSO, and what Yunchan has stored in his secret crystal ball... 🔮😍

[@hurricane_hazel]

@@benlawdy Not sure if you realize- Boston broadcasts their Saturday night performances- so on YT is a very good recording of the Saturday night performance. I am loving it!

[@WildsideSky]

Your content is amazing and your take on the subject(s) invaluable. We learn and we are inspired. I'm not even a pianist.

[@totohana07]

Wow. You are an another genious about analizing classical musid. I never see no one like you did analize music deep through....I Really appreciated for your contribution.. thank you very much... I really wish all the YUNCHAN's performance with orchestra to be recorded videoes. Cause people keep saying his gesture and all posture are impressive....like VANCLIBURN... people said he barely saw piano but to see orchestra at BOSTON CONSERT..he sometimes seems like a guest conductor. Cute.😂

[@dhruvsawant9234]

You have your own channel! This actually makes me so happy.

[@zaveryt]

Strong work, BL. My heart will go on with this content.

[@emyabella7953]

Fantastic

[@bobbiecat7139]

For one who never got beyond Schumann's "The Happy Farmer," your videos on Tonebase and now, here, are absolutely WONderful. Thank you from a piano wannabe🤥

[@jaygatz4335]

Ben: what a welcome return to Yunchan's études! Your first ones made me realize how much went into the videos, with all the research, references and comparisons (and humour). Well worth the wait. I also have to mention, when it was recommended to me to check out Yunchan's Van Cliburn marathon, your Rach 3 analysis was one of the first videos I watched and it set the tone for responding to Yunchan's performances, which I have enjoyed countless times (same with your videos). Your access to other brilliant musicians has provided more gratifying material (Yuja among them). BTW, I love your Steve Reich 2-piano performance!

[@benlawdy]

Thank you! It means a lot to know there are such receptive viewers out there. I was lucky to meet so many great pianists through tonebase and it's been very fun to develop these formats for communicating ideas about piano. As for my Reich performance - thank you! I had to learn it solo for a dance company once, and I nearly said 'no' because I was impossible. But then I discovered a way to practice it that ended up doing wonders for my hand/finger independence. I can still do it better than that performance... my 'phasing' happens too fast, and I lock into the next synchronization a little too quickly each time. I still practice it an octave apart on a single piano sometimes just as a warm up. One day I'll bring it back and make a video about it - I think every pianist should try it.

[@damland1357]

Hey Ben! The only reason I always enjoyed the Tonebase videos were because of your passion and enthusiasm always, I have learned so much from them and been entertained greatly by them, excited to see you posting on your own channel! Just subscribed.

[@mincho0616]

I always liked your commentary videos, glad to see you on your own channel. Will continue to enjoy watching your stuff here!

[@socomelicoff3271]

Thank you, thank you

[@benlawdy]

You are very welcome

[@Michachel]

Tysm for these videos I’ve been wanting to hear your analysis of the rest for a long time. I’m pretty familiar with all of these etudes besides 9 and 10 so I love watching videos about them

[@DavidFernandez-oi6ku]

Ben is so cute

[@gerbs139]

Great to see your new channel, have subscribed of course. Thanks for including, in the Yunchan-Pogo comparison, a consideration of the overall context (e.g. full set vs. selections) as I think this will inevitably inform some of the performer's choices.

[@joesavage71]

Thanks for all your work on this series. Can’t wait to see you cover Harmonies du Soir.

[@user-lk3uk4qf5b]

Thank you so much !

[@Mainlychesscontent]

Great commentary, thanks!

[@williwam7275]

I absolutely love your videos, looking forward to all of them!

[@LivesOfThePiano]

Fantastic video, Ben! Congratulations.

[@MarshallArtz007]

Wow! Seeing my name and comments twice - and one is in the thumbnail! I like being famous! Can’t wait for Lim’s 1st Decca CD of the Chopin Études. It’s being released on April 19, 2024. 😎🎹

[@trifonovfan9819]

I hope Decca is releasing Yunchan's Carnegie Hall performance. His Carnegie hall debut of Chopin's etudes op 10 and 25 are vastly superior to his previous performances on youtube. He did the op 25 when he was just15? And a slightly sloppy Op 10 last year. Yunchan was far better in his Carnegie hall debut tonight. He was rewarded with a massive standing ovation and many curtain calls, 4 encores - 2 Chopin nocturnes (the famous E-flat and the haunting C Sharp minor), the Etude #1 op 25, and Chopin's variation of the aria "Casta Diva" from Bellini's Norma.

[@MarshallArtz007]

@@trifonovfan9819 : Yunchan Lim’s 1st Decca release is being described as a studio recording. How lucky you are to have heard his Carnegie Hall performance! 😎🎹

[@khuoh]

Congrats on starting your own channel!

[@benlawdy]

Thank you!

[@Doozy_Titter]

I couldn't agree more with you. Sticking to the tempo is actually an expressive tool, it's not the lack of expression as some people in the classical world feel sometimes. Like any other expressive device, it doesn't fit everywhere, but it definitely fits in Wilde Jagd, or any other piece with rhythm and intense climaxes that need no slowing down by rubato.

[@benlawdy]

Yes, for me this is the biggest thing classical concert pianists young and old, amateur or professional even, regularly miss in their conceptions and performances - especially in 19th-century music - where time-distortion is too often considered the sole means of emotional expression. It must be a systematic product of how pianists are trained, and it's definitely a minority of teachers and students who really emphasize so-called "structural" playing. Like you say, it's an aesthetic choice, and there's plenty of pieces where tempo fluctuation and rubato can be used to great effect, but why should that be the norm? I would think it should be the other way around. But classical musicians on the whole, especially solo pianists, seem ideologically opposed to a longer-term steady beat. Gould, of course, was the supreme antidote to this, and arguably "over-corrected" in the opposite extreme (although I love the overcorrections too). I'm working on a video about his Brahms D minor, which I argue was controversial less for its slow tempo and more for the draconian tempo uniformity Gould imposed on the whole piece.

[@audreyabela5329]

Amazing video, Ben!

[@CarmenReyes-em9np]

Gracias el Genio Yun yan. Estudios Transanxionales.

[@janeevans1681]

Love your commentaries and optics!! THANK YOU!!

[@richdisilvio4591]

Yunchan Lim’s set of Liszt’s 'Transcendental Etudes' was superb, especially considering his age. It was amazing to watch him breeze through the set. I look forward to his future performances, which ‘will be’ phenomenal. Yet, being a devout admirer of Liszt, (having written books about him, artwork for collector items and a KZbin video), I must say that Vladimir Ovchinnikov’s recorded set of the Transcendentals is spectacular. Have you heard it? His “Harmonies du soir” is magnificent, as it builds to the most passionate climax yet recorded. And his other etudes are also top-notch. However, “Wilde Jagd” by Jorge Bolet is my personal favorite; the opening is played with great character and beautifully timed rests. Bolet also brought out the beauty of the central calm section with great finesse, leading to a rousing coda. (CD on the Ensayo label) But, I can clearly understand your immense admiration for Lim. For it is quite clear that Lim will be the Horowitz of the 21st century. He ‘is’ brilliant! And very nice video, Ben! Congrats.

[@Swelterful]

You're so right with Ovchinikov! His recording is still the stunning best overall one for me, but unfortunately hardly known.

[@richdisilvio4591]

@@Swelterful Yes, It is still the set I go to. Ovchinikov mastered them.

[@mog2910]

Thank you for your videos!!❤❤❤

[@olieducationalvideos6203]

Thank you for dedicating the video to Joe. I am grateful to have been a friend and colleague of his since the mid 90s.

[@willstorie]

lots of great insights but I just keep watching that perfect Simpsons edit on loop 😆

[@janeevans1681]

I'm so glad you've started your own channel too!! I discovered you quite by accident on Tonebase with Yunchan Lim performing at The Cliburn Competition! I'll be listening to both channels!! 😊

[@minecraft8846]

Did not about Joe Petrych till now! I always wondered who managed to record all those videos. Rest in Peace.

[@yoonchun6945]

Bravo ! Really enjoying your channel ! Love the comparison between Ivo and Yun !! Please post more videos! Thanks 🎶🎶🎶

[@benlawdy]

Thank you and I plan to! They just take a long time to make.

[@InochinoMichi]

Great video. Keep doing what you’re doing :)

[@mfurman]

I have immediately subscribed after learning that you are no longer with Tonebase. I am very much looking forward to your videos here. Michael Ps. I still have a lifetime subscription to Tonebase though

[@bonapark2910]

I'm glad you finally made another video on YCL. I've been waiting so long. 😅

[@Acacia-bombom]

I've been waiting for the video. ^^ It was interesting and fun. Thank you.

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

Great video with a touching ending!

[@MarcPlaysPiano]

Sorry to hear you left ToneBase, and glad to see it was on mutual terms! I look forward to seeing your future content here. (Thanks for doing that Schubert session recently--it was great.)

[@margarethansen7480]

Thanks, Ben, for present us with this nice vídeo and others! I can see the joy, knowledge, compromiss with Music you have, watching your channel I hope you success always!❤

[@user-td5rh4ts5x]

Thank you for making this video, the explanations and comparisons between those amazing interpretations are fantastic and educational.

[@jeong270]

자막 감사합니다😊

[@mmelloe]

been waiting for this one!! i love pogorelich so much i want to die. such an inspiration, probably my favorite pianist alongside argerich. watching his hands in that islamey video makes me think he's not of this world. there are many pieces i can only listen to him play, including ofc the scriabin sonata 4 mentioned in the comments eagerly anticipating new videos on your channel :)

[@zelimircabraja7529]

Ben is a like the best cup of a coffee in a sleepy morning. Wake you up with a smile!!

[@annettefallon1652]

Bravo!

[@aurelienparent7722]

15:02 so cool to go from the V chord of the Bach piece to the tonic of the Wilde Jagd, diatonic video editing !!

[@benlawdy]

Thank you for noticing :)

[@willstorie5950]

22:31 = a parallel universe where silent movies never went out of fashion

[@benlawdy]

Underrated comment

[@aaronkorea]

Finally watched this after loving your Gould Brahms video! I really enjoy your editing, comedic timing, and clear explanations using unexpected but apt metaphors. Can totally send this to non-musician friends who ask me how I can tell good pianists apart. The Pogorelich performance pacing and discipline in building toward the climax is spectacular and admirable, but I find it so vulgar (even accounting for the expected tone quality difference on a bootleg recording). I regret that I was too young to properly appreciate Pogorelich in his prime, although I did see him live once or twice with family as a kid. Yunchan’s love of Bach and Beethoven really shines through in his Liszt playing and I vibe with that aesthetic so much more. The climactic moments of high drama are made even more special by the flashes of humor and levity that occasionally appear in Yunchan’s performances. Pogorelich’s tempo discipline applied to something like the finale of the Prokofiev 7th sonata would be much more effective and appropriate to the style.