Quite extraordinary performances from the London Symphony Orchestra under their conductor Sir Antonio Pappano .As a very discerning friend of mine present in the hall said: “You can use superlatives – we don’t get music making like this often .Bruce’s playing was very spontaneous,sensitive and musical.The orchestra sounded like a small orchestra .Extraordinary control.”

“Sibelius is incredibly difficult music but very rewarding .Made evident last night by the personality of the players and their joy of playing”

Many of the concerts are streamed live but this year there are a lot fewer but they are broadcast on the Polish Radio Channel 2 and I was able to hear most of the concert on the excellent live broadcast .A Bruce Liu in wonderful form who from a brilliant competition winner has developed into a mature artist who can find colours and bring to life an old warhorse like Chopin 1.From the very opening the orchestra under Pappano played with the same full rich sound that I remember from the Philadelphia under Ormandy with Gilels.Bruce found some exquisite colouring and in particular used the bass notes to sustain the ravishing beauty of his cantabile playing .Here was the true Bel Canto where the melodic line is held in one long breath with a beguiling rubato that belongs to another age.Such exquite phrasing and delicacy but also intelligence and spontaneity.Pappano following his every move as they truly wove a magic web together.

What a surprise to find Bruce handing over the reigns to his first violin colleague who played with the same aristocratic mastery and old world style that had seduced a full hall during the Concerto.A black key study played with radiance and sparkling clarity as well as magical unexpected shadings had the audience on their feet to salute a master.I hope the broadcast might become available to listen to again as I missed most of the Sibelius which they tell me was the stuff that legends are made of .

Bruce Liu at the Wigmore Hall London A supreme stylist creating a new Golden Age of piano playing of mastery and refined good taste

Stars shine brightly in Warsaw with Dang Thai Son,Bruce Liu and Lukas Geniusas

Bruce Liu’s triumphant debut at the Edinburgh Festival

Bruce Liu takes London by storm

Bruce Xiaoyu Liu showing the way to Eutopia for Chopin’s 212th birthday

Dear Christopher, reading your review of Bruce’s concert in Warsaw, I wanted you to listen to his performance from Ljubljana last night… which was even more free, more elegant, more inspired… like a carpet of beauty, light on the way and faith in life and people . Bruce and Sir Pappano’s chemistry is magical. I am still deeply moved by what I experienced yesterday, please feel some of this beauty, I know you will appreciate it. I enjoy your reviews, it seems that this war horse “has a lot of energy and hidden life left in him”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/122PI4EItqY1Yp5oFDIOEXQtwpPVAH_HQ/view?usp=share_link