The 24-year-old Canadian pianist shot 'from near obscurity to rock-star status in the classical music world' after winning the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition last Autumn, since when his performances worldwide have been showered with critical acclaim. '[He] caused a sensation with a recital that married tradition with originality' said ResMusica of his Paris debut at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in January. 'You don't always know where Bruce Liu is taking you, but you feel compelled to follow him'. Working in partnership with the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, Deutsche Grammophon was soon able to issue an album of live recordings captured during the various stages of the competition. The release has earned rave reviews, with Gramophone calling it 'one of the most distinguished Chopin recitals of recent years, full of maturity, character and purpose', while Classics Today praised Liu's 'awesomely effortless virtuosity [which] consistently oozes charisma and insouciance'.
Track Listing:
1. Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, Andante Spianato. Tranquillo (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
2. Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante, op. 22, Polonaise. Allegro Molto (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
3. 12 Études, op. 10, No. 4 in C-sharp Minor, 'Torrent' (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
4. 12 Études, op. 25, No. 4 in a Minor, 'Paganini' (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
5. Mazurkas, op. 33, No. 1 in G-sharp Minor (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
6. Mazurkas, op. 33, No. 2 in C Major (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
7. Mazurkas, op. 33, No. 3 in D Major (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
8. Mazurkas, op. 33, No. 4 in B Minor (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
9. Nocturnes, op. 27, No. 1 in C-sharp Minor. Larghetto (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
10. Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 42 (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
11. Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, Op. 54 (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
12. Variations on 'Là ci darem la mano' from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', op. 2, Introduzione. Largo - Poco Più Mosso (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
13. Variations on 'Là ci darem la mano' from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', op. 2, Tema. Allegretto (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
14. Variations on 'Là ci darem la mano' from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', op. 2, Variation I. Brillante (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
15. Variations on 'Là ci darem la mano' from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', op. 2, Variation II. Veloce, Ma Accuratamente (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
16. Variations on 'Là ci darem la mano' from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', op. 2, Variation III. Sempre Sostenuto (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
17. Variations on 'Là ci darem la mano' from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', op. 2, Variation IV. Con Bravura (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
18. Variations on 'Là ci darem la mano' from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', op. 2, Variation V. Adagio (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
19. Variations on 'Là ci darem la mano' from Mozart's 'Don Giovanni', op. 2, Coda. Alla Polacca (Frederic Chopin) - Bruce Liu
