Five questions with Joyce Yang

09.23.07
Joyce Yang
Star-Telegram

When the Star-Telegram phoned 2005 Cliburn silver medalist Joyce Yang last week, she was right in the middle of closing on a new apartment in Manhattan.

In other words, it was your typical whirlwind day for Yang. The pianist continues to juggle a demanding concert schedule with a Juilliard workload, and it only seems to be getting more intense: This week, she'll open the new season of the Cliburn at the Bass series.

Thankfully, the darling of the most recent Cliburn agreed to slow down enough to answer a few quick questions.

1. How does it feel turning 21 this year?

It's hard to pay attention when the whole New York nightlife opens up to you. But my life hasn't changed much. I really never forget to have a social life. I pretty much stay home and practice during the day, and I usually go out for dinner: One, because I can't cook. Secondly, for the neighbors' sake. Fresh air in the evening is always nice. I have been really exploring New York - uptown, downtown, east side and west. Something is opening, this restaurant or show, and I have to catch up with the city.

2. You have a busy season ahead with recitals at Chicago's Orchestra Hall and Zurich's Tonhalle. How do you handle all the pressure?

When I start feeling kind of lazy, I look at my schedule and I'm back on . I learned this year that it doesn't get easy. People say, . . track again.  "you get used to this life." But it's still like a mini heart attack every time I get onstage. On one hand, it's a good thing because it means I'm getting psyched every time I play.

3. Tuesday's program is a doozy: four Scarlatti sonatas, Schumann's Carnaval and a lot of Brahms. How did you choose it?

For last year's recital program, it just felt a little like I was playing what the audience wanted. Naturally, a recital is a stressful process because you're playing by yourself. I had just thought to [help me] enjoy recitals more, I'd put pieces together that I want to play.

I would say my favorite composers are Brahms and Schumann. I recently fell in love with all of the [Brahms'] Klavierstucke. They speak to me like no . Hopefully, what I like is what people like. I . . other piece I heard before.  hope something special speaks through.

4. What was the last book you read?

It was Perfume: The Story of a Murderer [by Patrick Suskind]. It's about this person/monster who has this remarkable sense of smell. It's about the human senses, and in the same way that music is appealing to the ear, this is all about scent.

5. Do your musical tastes venture beyond classical?

I've never been to a pop concert. But I listen to different things all the time. I'm huge on Coldplay. I like Radiohead. I just think it's remarkable to hear five notes over and over and you feel like you're floating over the world. Who knew these repetitious silly chords can be rewarding? They empty my mind out. Once in a while, pop culture is good.

- Matthew Erikson

Joyce Yang performs a solo recital on the Cliburn at the Bass Series, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Bass Hall. $15-

$90. 817-335-9000.