Gina Bachauer Young Artists' Piano Competition Semifinal Round, Friday, June 18; Temple Square Assembly Hall.For better or for worse, the panel of judges narrowed the Gina Bachauer Young Artists Piano Competition to six finalists at 10 p.m Friday. The finalists will each play a concerto Saturday night at the Temple Square Assembly Hall.
Yuliang Tu from China advanced with his poignant rendition of Chopin's Fantasy in F minor. His gleeful interpretation of Stravinsky's Three Movements from "Petrouchka" (he played two) also exploded with life. He seemed a shoe-in.
Akari Okada of Japan was a bit of a surprise although her Liszt Ballade No. 2 in B minor had a strong pull to the climax, and her Prokofiev Sonata No. 8 in B flat had a dreamy, late-romantic quality.
Yurino Izumi, also from Japan, played with depth and maturity, capturing the charm, wit and moodiness of the Poulenc Intermezzo in A flat major and the playful poise of the Chopin Ballade in A flat major. She too, seemed a sure bet.
Yundi Li, from China, played with polish and flair, bringing a dizzy charm to Chopin's Andante Spianato and a sparkle to Ravel's "Ondine" from "Gaspard de la Nuit."
Yugoslav Marko Pavlovich was another shoe-in with his irresistible interpretations of Chopin's Polonaise Op. 49 and Nocturne Op. 15 no. 2. The deep contrasts and mesmerizing rhythms in the Polonaise prepared the audience for the unabashed sweetness of the Nocturne.
Colleen Ka Ling Lee, from Hong Kong had the most genuinely moving program. Her Chopin Polonaise Fantasy was deep and sensitive without a hint of over-sentimentality, her "Une Barq sur l'Ocean" by Ravel stayed true to the composer's mysticism.