First candidate: Stéphanie Huang - Belgium, °1996
[caption id="attachment_31975" align="alignleft" width="350"]
© Amandine Lauriol / Académie Jaroussky[/caption]
As is by now widely known, Stéphanie Huang is the sister of violinist Sylvia Huang who was likewise a laureate of the KEW three years ago.
'5 Albumblätter' by Jörg Widmann is the set work. We can by now make it our own and follow it easily. It is a shorter work with some pitfalls, both technical and lyrical. The cellist must switch from very contemporary to very romantic phrases and that is an interplay with the orchestra and in solo phrases. Stéphanie Huang interprets it with a very personal touch, rather softer as befits this somewhat delicate young woman.
From Antonín Dvořák, the jury and audience heard the Concerto n. 2 in b op. 104 B 191. As on the first evening and the upcoming final days, the Brussels Philharmonic under the direction of Stéphane Denève accompanies the musicians, as does Stéphanie Huang. This grateful late-romantic work is easy on the ear and when it is played by a compatriot, everyone is somewhat more subjective in their judgment. Subjective or not, Stéphanie is a talented soloist who has a beautiful future ahead. That much is certain.
Second candidate: Marcel Johannes Kits - Estonia, °1995
[caption id="attachment_31977" align="alignleft" width="350"]
© Kaupo Kikkas[/caption]
With the set work of Jörg Widmann's 5 Albumblätter, this laureate immediately gives insight into his broad technical palette. He plays very cleanly and with conviction. The various elements that the work contains all come into their own with the necessary calculation.
Speaking of calculation in playing, Dmitry Shostakovich's Concerto n. 1 in Es op. 107 the cellist brings to life with much intelligence. It is above all the intelligence that dominates the performance and takes precedence over the lyricism. It makes the performance somewhat cool. The applause from the audience reveals that it is on the same lines. Whether that is also the case with the jury, we will know at the end of this week.
The KEW can be followed directly via livestream. Click on and sit along in the front row.
Tuesday 31/05 [20:00]
Stéphanie Huang [ Antonín Dvořák, Concerto n. 2 en si mineur op. 104 | Concerto n. 2 in b op. 104 ]
Marcel Johannes Kits [ Dmitry Shostakovich, Concerto n. 1 en mi bémol majeur op. 107 | Concerto n. 1 in Es op. 107 ]