Oh so close but not altogether there, Chiao Ying Chang's recording of Schubert's two sets of Impromptus is almost but quite great. Her tone is wonderful -- clear, rich, and warm. Her interpretations are marvelous -- supple, lyrical, and poetic. But her technique, while almost always on top of the music, does sometimes falter in the most difficult passage. Despite the beauty of Chang's B flat major Impromptu from the first set, she can't really nail the final pages of the F minor Impromptu from the same set. Despite the ...
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Oh so close but not altogether there, Chiao Ying Chang's recording of Schubert's two sets of Impromptus is almost but quite great. Her tone is wonderful -- clear, rich, and warm. Her interpretations are marvelous -- supple, lyrical, and poetic. But her technique, while almost always on top of the music, does sometimes falter in the most difficult passage. Despite the beauty of Chang's B flat major Impromptu from the first set, she can't really nail the final pages of the F minor Impromptu from the same set. Despite the tenderness of her G flat major Impromptu from the second set, she can't entirely command the power of the opening pages of the C minor Impromptu from the same set. And even when Chang is on top of the notes, she hesitates before entrances and pulls back before climaxes, making her performances seem just a bit precious and maybe even a little coy. Audite captures her performances in crystalline sound that some might find a little too reserved and distant. ~ James Leonard, Rovi
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