Lovely bow arm... not afraid to use the lower half... extraordinary performance.. musically free and un encumbered by fashion...... last I heard a performance of this with such spunk was Gilopez Kabayao in New Zealand in the early 60s last century❤😊❤😊❤😊
He’s such a great player. Really wholesome and “complete” in how he packages each piece. I’ll be honest though, I did not care for some of his choices in interpreting Ysaye, especially toward the end. A few instances, the momentum was totally lost and the build up became less effective than it could (or should) have been, truly. Too much slowing down randomly in the wrong places…. Why???… what purpose?? .. composer certainly didn’t indicate to do this…. And it doesn’t make much sense Musically, either. The same could be said about some middle sections, too. It’s losing connection and a sense rhythm. Kind of disappointing because I know he, of all people, could maintain a consistent tempo.. But, he projects really well with great intonation. So so beautiful. The slide into the final notes at 7:15 was a fun little choice. (Edit) After listening to Tianren Xie, Adam Suska, Tong Chen, Amia Janicki and about 20 other Ysayes from the first round of this competition…. I’ve come back to say: Kevin’s ysaye was definitely one of the better ones. His tone and projection is gorgeous and he plays so darn well in tune!! So…..It’s no wonder he made it to the final top 12.. he makes the violin REALLY sing and project…. That said, when comparing to the other top 12 finalists, his ysaye just wasn’t the best. Look at Joshua brown for example. He had much more consistency in tempo, phrasing, and even articulation. The last section, Joshua keeps an even tempo with perfect intonation and driving the intensity and consistency to the end. He doesn’t seem to struggle. Kevin on the other hand, breaks up the ending with different speeds all over the place, and it loses all sense of musicality and direction. Another person who did a much better job with their Ysaye (in my opinion) was Ruslan Talas. Ruslan, (like Joshua) had consistency in tempo, rhythm and a much stronger ending!! Kevin’s Paganini was even better than his ysaye, though, probably one of the best No. 24 of the entire competition. I’d buy that CD from him. I actually think it’s much better than the “chicken scratch” the first place winner put out (Dmytro) … Kevin’s pag. no 24 gave me goosebumps, while Dmytro’s pag. no 5 gave me...indigestion. Funny how Dmytro still ended up winning 1st prize overall
I’ve only heard of your content but I always love ur comments on violin competition videos 😭 As someone who is rather amateur at understanding things deeper than tone and pitch it always so enlightening
I find not by hazard Kevin is a Paganini competition 1st prize. Indeed I found his Ysaye too much Paganinian in style (which is a bit "out" for Ysaye...). No surprise that his 24th capriccio rendition was one of the best. I heard also his Shostakovich and he actually suffered in rendering the drama that is in it. A bit deceived by his Bartok sonata that he played in video's on RUclips during the pandemic and was very good, but in the competition wasn't at the same level,imo. Maybe a bit of stress for the competition or not a good timing to get all the répertorie ready for it....
Incredible Ysaye. One of the best performances I have heard! Although the judges may have not granted you first place, in a lot of people’s eyes you are the true winner!
Finaaaaallyyyyyy somebody shows some respect to Ysayes indications from the last page. It was delt with such ignorance from the whole Bron "army" over the time that it became a standard. But this guy finally shows up and does some justice. Respect! And thanks sooo much, if you read this - you are wonderful
Lovely bow arm... not afraid to use the lower half... extraordinary performance.. musically free and un encumbered by fashion...... last I heard a performance of this with such spunk was Gilopez Kabayao in New Zealand in the early 60s last century❤😊❤😊❤😊
He’s such a great player. Really wholesome and “complete” in how he packages each piece. I’ll be honest though, I did not care for some of his choices in interpreting Ysaye, especially toward the end. A few instances, the momentum was totally lost and the build up became less effective than it could (or should) have been, truly. Too much slowing down randomly in the wrong places…. Why???… what purpose?? .. composer certainly didn’t indicate to do this…. And it doesn’t make much sense Musically, either. The same could be said about some middle sections, too. It’s losing connection and a sense rhythm. Kind of disappointing because I know he, of all people, could maintain a consistent tempo.. But, he projects really well with great intonation. So so beautiful. The slide into the final notes at 7:15 was a fun little choice.
(Edit) After listening to Tianren Xie, Adam Suska, Tong Chen, Amia Janicki and about 20 other Ysayes from the first round of this competition…. I’ve come back to say: Kevin’s ysaye was definitely one of the better ones. His tone and projection is gorgeous and he plays so darn well in tune!! So…..It’s no wonder he made it to the final top 12.. he makes the violin REALLY sing and project….
That said, when comparing to the other top 12 finalists, his ysaye just wasn’t the best. Look at Joshua brown for example. He had much more consistency in tempo, phrasing, and even articulation. The last section, Joshua keeps an even tempo with perfect intonation and driving the intensity and consistency to the end. He doesn’t seem to struggle. Kevin on the other hand, breaks up the ending with different speeds all over the place, and it loses all sense of musicality and direction. Another person who did a much better job with their Ysaye (in my opinion) was Ruslan Talas. Ruslan, (like Joshua) had consistency in tempo, rhythm and a much stronger ending!!
Kevin’s Paganini was even better than his ysaye, though, probably one of the best No. 24 of the entire competition. I’d buy that CD from him. I actually think it’s much better than the “chicken scratch” the first place winner put out (Dmytro) … Kevin’s pag. no 24 gave me goosebumps, while Dmytro’s pag. no 5 gave me...indigestion. Funny how Dmytro still ended up winning 1st prize overall
Please turn your life around you are so good at playing the violin
I’ve only heard of your content but I always love ur comments on violin competition videos 😭
As someone who is rather amateur at understanding things deeper than tone and pitch it always so enlightening
I find not by hazard Kevin is a Paganini competition 1st prize. Indeed I found his Ysaye too much Paganinian in style (which is a bit "out" for Ysaye...). No surprise that his 24th capriccio rendition was one of the best. I heard also his Shostakovich and he actually suffered in rendering the drama that is in it. A bit deceived by his Bartok sonata that he played in video's on RUclips during the pandemic and was very good, but in the competition wasn't at the same level,imo. Maybe a bit of stress for the competition or not a good timing to get all the répertorie ready for it....
I don't know about this. His Paganini was a little too dry for my taste. It's still great to see such individualism in a major competiiton.
His Paganini Performance was so magnificent and expressiv
Incredible Ysaye. One of the best performances I have heard! Although the judges may have not granted you first place, in a lot of people’s eyes you are the true winner!
Listen to Kerson Leong's rendition...
This guy is definitely a revelation. Much more suitable for the role of first prize winner.
He is the best😭😭😭😭
@@Asdfggh13579 politics is the best, unfortunately.
Never in my life have I heard that good of a Paganini Caprice!!
Finaaaaallyyyyyy somebody shows some respect to Ysayes indications from the last page. It was delt with such ignorance from the whole Bron "army" over the time that it became a standard. But this guy finally shows up and does some justice. Respect! And thanks sooo much, if you read this - you are wonderful
Great as always! The Ysaye was one of the best versions I've heard, unique and mezmerizing.
Is it just me who thinks this year's competition is incredibly intense? What's up with this year's competition??!!
Bravo!!!
Shoulda won