Bravura Performance by Pianist Di Wu

by

Holland Garcia

       Di Wu treated the Cabrillo College audience to a bravura performance that awed the audience and brought them all to their feet for a standing ovation at the end of the program. She showed that she was born to be a performer. Right from the beginning, Wu, with her radiantly sunny personality, created a delightful connection with the audience.  It was good that she introduced each group of pieces with a verbal description since the printed program bore only slight resemblance to her actual program. Her engaging personality drew the audience in with her spirited explanation about the pieces she was about to play. 

       This was a very unusual program of all transcriptions. While it could have been labeled “The Art of Transcription”, it might better have been called, “The Art of Great Piano Playing.” She opened with Rachmaninoff’s transcription of three selections from Bach’s Violin Partita No.3 in E Major and demonstrated a fine grasp of delicate finger work.   

       The second set of transcriptions showed Wu at her best. These four Schubert songs, transcribed by Franz Liszt, were played with great sensitivity and gloriously beautiful singing tone. She managed to bring the listener into the songs and captivate them with a true romantic manner of playing. I felt that the famous “Serenade” was the most engaging of them all, although the “Earl King” was phenomenal with its repeated octaves taken at breathtaking pace.   

       The second half of the program opened with Leopold Godowsky’s “Seven Concert Studies on Chopin’s Etude in G-Flat, Op. 10, No. 5 ‘Black Key.’” The first of these studies was, compositionally speaking, the most successful. It was the only one to bear a significant resemblance to the famous Black Key etude and was for the left hand alone.  The other studies were more like curiosities and even though they were very well played, were too much like Czerny exercises.   

       Wu then played two transcriptions by the English pianist, Stephen Hough, of Richard Rodgers Broadway tunes.  Both “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music” and “Hello, Young Lovers” from “The King and I” were a delight to hear.    

       It was with the last number that Di Wu showed her world class technique. This piece bridged three centuries as it was composed originally by Mozart in the 18^th Century, then transcribed by Liszt in the 19^th Century, and then further arranged by Busoni in the 20^th Century. Wu introduced “The Fantasy on Themes from The Marriage of Figaro” by saying how intimidated she felt when first seeing the score as it had so many notes it looked practically black. She played it with an élan and virtuosity that was mesmerizing.  The speed and accuracy of her playing was equal to any of the greatest pianists of the past. There were no encores. 

       I predict a long and successful career for Di Wu. The best compliment that I could give her would be to say that I welcome the chance to hear her again, playing anything, as this was one of the most enjoyable recitals that I have ever heard. 

Holland Garcia, a pianist and teacher residing on the Monterey Peninsula, is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music (University of Toronto). He is also a composer and recording artist. He is one of the few piano teachers who do house calls, going to student’s homes around the Peninsula to teach lessons.

 

End