Klaus Döring's Classical Music/Klaus Döring's Klassische Musik

  A rave review of Yuja with the MCO in Chicago. Praise for both her playing and conducting. About Prokofiev 2: "Wang brought a searching yet cool expression to the opening Andantino, and was fully in synch with the composer’s brand of relentless spiky virtuosity. The pianist virtually somersaulted through the dizzying complexities and blizzard of notes in the succeeding movements with immaculate technical command—blazing through the madcap finale with complete accuracy at a velocity that one wouldn’t think humanly possible." https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/.../wang-brings.../

by  Nicolette Wong    April 12th, 2026 Last week, Yunchan Lim appeared in Hong Kong with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields under the baton of Wilson Ng, bringing us his own take of the piano concerto in A minor by Robert Schumann. I sat up in my seat as soon as the piece started, because the way Lim conveyed the short introduction drew me in. I was fascinated not only by the slower tempo he took, but also by the way he made the opening chord progression sound like a resonant yet measured announcement. So often, this passage sounds frantic and is over before we know it, but Lim’s version felt like a real welcome as he invited us to join in his musical voyage. Pianist Yunchan Lim with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields orchestra at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Photo: HKAF Indeed, it was an eye-opening journey of discovery. What struck me most was his voicing. Musicians are expected to bring out top lines, good musicians provide a stron...

  by  Emily E. Hogstad    October 26th, 2023 Ruth Slenczysnka must be one of the most interesting pianists alive today. She certainly has a story unlike any other: she studied piano with   Rachmaninoff   as a little girl – became an international musical sensation – abandoned her performing career – returned to it after a divorce – played for presidents – dueted with Harry Truman – spent a long career as an educator – and just last year put out an acclaimed album for the Decca label. And that’s barely scratching the surface of her list of accomplishments! Ruth Slenczynska © Meredith Truax/PA Here are thirteen facts about the incredible, inspiring life and career of pianist Ruth Slenczynska: 1. Ruth Slenczynska was born on 15 January 1925 in Sacramento, California, to a Polish violinist named Joseph and his wife. Joseph had been a leader at the Warsaw Conservatory before emigrating, but he was deeply frustrated that his performing career had never blossomed ...

  by  Emily E. Hogstad    April 26th, 2026 Piano etudes don’t have to be dry technical drills. In the hands of a talented composer, they can become miniature works of art. While names like  Chopin ,  Liszt , and  Debussy  tend to dominate discussions of the genre, women composers across the past 250 years have contributed some of the most challenging and expressive etudes ever written. From Hélène de Montgeroult’s revolutionary harmonic language to Grażyna Bacewicz’s electrifying mid-century modernism, these etudes reveal a vibrant pedagogical tradition that can totally reshape our understanding of piano history. Today, we’re looking at ten of the best piano etudes by women composers, spanning from the late eighteenth century to the twentieth. Hélène de Montgeroult (1764–1836)   Hélène de Montgeroult was a French aristocrat, pianist, and innovative composer whose life reads like a novel. She survived the French Revolution – as one urban ...

 by Hermione Lai  April 27th, 2026 In all my years of playing the piano, there is only one composer whose music I consider terrifying. And that composer is   Alexander Scriabin . In his early sonatas, there are still gestures to hold on to, but as you move further along, all familiarity disappears. Alexander Scriabin Chords become alien, textures are all over the place, and the music doesn’t breathe in regular phrases. It’s almost like getting seriously lost. How can you communicate something that can’t be grasped? No Place to Hide The harmonic language expresses colours and metaphysical visions, not really something you can handle in the practice room. And I can’t even imagine having to memorise the music. I’ve heard it said that pianists need a kind of vulnerability to perform his music, as it is impossible to hide behind structure or tradition. I think it’s time I confront my demon. So, to commemorate Scriabin’s death on 27 April 1915, let’s have a quick guide to his ...