A triumphant Tchaikowsky and heart rending Liszt closes five years of close bonds and friendships as the world awaits the arrival at only 17 of a star shining brightly. A brilliant performance of great conviction from the very opening chords played like a great eagle hovering over the keys ready to devour them. Octaves played with the weight and dynamic drive that had Beecham declare to Horowitz that he should be ashamed at putting his orchestra into the shade! But it was the encore of Liszt Liebestraum that revealed the unique personality and poetic sensibility of this young man about to venture into the world,having been sustained for his past most formative five years, by his friends and superb trainers at Eton.
Talent cannot be taught as Rubinstein has bequeathed to us :
https://youtu.be/gex0sOR7XZ0?si=Y8IA0o529YqazAES
And Ryan is certainly born under a very special tree indeed. May it flourish and grow as it did indeed for the greatest pianist I have ever known.
ChristopherAxworthy-MusicCommentary 