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On the 26^th February 2016 Deutsche Grammophon Music Label has launched a new album of the Chinese pianist Yundi. It contains Chopin`s Four Ballads, Berceuse Op.57 D Flat Major and Mazurka Op.17 No.4.

The Chinese pianist Yundi continues his connection in the world of Chopin`s music- last year in September 2015 he launched the entire Prelude in E-minor Op.28 No.4, the four Scherzos and three Impromptu, but this happened a long time ago, more precisely in 2004. In 2007, Yundi launched his version for Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, Op.11 and his discographic debut at Deutsche Grammophon in 2002, with a Chopin recital. Actually, Yundi ows a lot to Chopin- he is the pianist that debuted internationally at the age of eighteen when he won the first prize at Chopin Contest in Warsaw- it happened in 2000 and Yundi became the first Chinese pianist that succeeded such a performance and was also the youngest laureate from the history of that competition.

In 2015, Yundi returned to Warsaw in order to establish a new success this time the youngest member of the jury.

So it is obvious why there is such a big attraction between Chopin and Yundi.

Chopin`s Music is Difficult to Perform

After listening to this disc I soon realized how difficult it is to perform Frederic Chopin`s music. Obviously, you must have a very good technique but I believe this represents only 10% of what Chopin`s music interpretation really means. All those agogics, dynamics, ideas you want to express and all the nuances you want to highlight will always remain. It is enough for one note to be out of its place and all the harmony in the music disappears.

Yundi is known for the virtuosity and his previous recordings with Chopin and I mostly admired his refinement. But in the case of ballads I believe that much more nuances needed to be expressed and the forte ones were too distinguished in the whole musical discourse. But I liked the piano debut of the fourth ballad.

In my opinion the interpretation of Berceuse Op.57 D Flat Major and Mazurka Op.17 No.4 were better performed than the ballads.

Yundi`s new album can be listened in premiere at Radio Romania Music on Monday, 28^th March at 19.00 and in rerun on Sunday, the 3^rd April at 13.05. The album is included in the Vote for the Classical Album of 2016 campaign.