Reviews from Joyce Yang's Ridgefield Symphony Performance

12.08.07
Joyce Yang

"Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2 - arguably the twentieth century's best-loved work of its kind - is a lyrical treasure trove; but it is also such a powerfully virile work that one can be at least momentarily taken aback to hear (and see) it tackled by a performer as lovely and petite in stature as Joyce Yang. But in addition to being a sensitive artist with a fluent virtuoso technique, Ms. Yang is a diminutive powerhouse; and the amalgam of those qualities assured a stunning performance -- both strong and musically beautiful throughout, with consistently sensitive phrasing, free-flowing movement through shifting moods, tempos, and levels of intensity, and all of the requisite Romantic virtuoso display." - Ridgefield Press (Courtenay Caublé)

"... They needed to adjust the seats to make room for the Steinway being rolled on stage for "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor" by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873 - 1943), performed by the brilliant soloist Joyce Yang.

Playing the opening chords with strong hands, Yang entered one of the sacred places in the piano repertoire with confidence as Richardson Auditorium at the high school became a tabernacle for Rachmaninoff's hypnotic masterpiece.

The psychoanalytic history of the concerto brings with it a reverential awe of the restorative power of music. Yang and the RSO combined for a superb performance, drawing from each other, comfortably expanding on themes in sweeping lyrical passages, going from soul searching to serenity. Audience reaction was evident with applause between movements and a standing ovation at the finale." -Danbury News-Times (Jan Stribula)