TonySiqi Yun

Press

• Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2

  Carnegie Hall

  Mar 2024

  • From the first resonant chords of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18, soloist Tony Siqi Yun, in an impressive Carnegie Hall debut, established himself as a first-rate talent. He shaped every phrase with a sculpted, directional sense of line. A milky, arioso tone and nimble, electrified arpeggios dripped from his arms, infused with character, whether Rachmaninoff indicated con passione or espressivo. Few piano concertos entwine soloist and orchestra so closely and Nézet-Séguin and Yun shared sweeping melodic hooks and long dramatic arcs effortlessly in step. The orchestra and pianist fed off each other’s energy in symbiosis, giving the concerto the feel of chamber music.

    • Cadenza NYC
    • 06 March 2024

• Schumann: Symphonic Études

  The Conrad, San Diego

  Jan 2024

  • Once Tony Siqi Yun dispatched Schumann’s concise setting of the Baron’s austere theme in the opening movement, the pianist hurled himself into the bravado of Schumann’s First Variation, encompassing its expansive air with an engaging, warm sonority... His astonishing technique allowed him to blaze through Schumann’s several vivace and vivacissimo variations with cool precision, yet he imbued the more reflective variations such as Étude VIII—marked Andante—with the luminous definition of a Chopin nocturne. For the substantial Finale—marked Allegro brillante—Schumann pulled out all the stops, which allowed Tony Siqi Yun to draw compelling, bracing orchestral textures from the piano with apt dramatic flair. I enjoyed the pianist’s thoughtful, probing account of Johannes Brahms’ Theme and Variations in D Minor, Op. 18b, which opened his recital, as well as his bold dynamic contrasts that successfully recreated Richard Wagner’s “Isoldes Libestod” from the opera Tristan und Isolde in Franz Liszt’s transcription. Before launching into the Schumann, Tony Siqi Yun offered Ferruccio Busoni’s endearing 1907 bagatelle Berceuse from Elegies, BV 249, coaxing translucent Impressionist harmonies to support the composer’s asymmetrical melodies.

    • La Jolla Music Society
    • 23 January 2024

• Rheingau Music Festival

  Schloss Johannisberg

  Aug 2023

  • Tony Yun is another young Canadian pianist in the fast lane," said the jury. "His playing impresses with a combination of technical brilliance, youthful vigor and refreshing naturalness. In addition to his likeable charisma, pleasant modesty and fascinating virtuosity, this young top musician plays his way directly into the hearts of the audience with his sensitive, almost poetic interpretations.

    • The Violin Chanel
    • 15 August 2023

• Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor

  The Philadelphia Orchestra, Verizon Hall

  Feb 2023

  • From his opening entrance Yun showed a purposeful approach, every note personalized; Nézet-Séguin urged him on and, when called for, fortissimos were delivered in full ...it was good to hear a newly minted antidote to so much auto-pilot Schumann heard elsewhere.

    • Musical America
    • 08 February 2023

  • After bringing a soft touch to the concerto’s opening statement, Yun displayed a robust, muscular sound in the cadenza that complemented the tug-of-war that occurs between soloist and orchestra in this work. ..he shaded the third movement’s extended rondo with dazzling flourishes of color and a sense of intimacy amid the finale’s gathering musical storm.

    • Backtrack
    • 03 February 2023

  • Soloist Tony Siqi Yun offered a generous personal stamp, especially in the concerto’s first and second movements, detailing phrasings that were no doubt deeply considered ...

    • The Philadelphia Inquirer
    • 03 February 2023

• C. Schumann: Piano Concerto

  Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Roy Thompson Hall

  Jun 2022

  • His playing was noteworthy in all three movements: strong and forthright in the march-like opening, with gentle cantabile and subtle phrasing following on in the song of the slow movement […] In the finale, the endless cascades of octaves and arpeggios were dispatched with skill, finesse, and almost nonchalant ease. An enormous standing ovation greeted the final notes, entirely merited. Yun then presented an equally blazing and technically daunting encore, The Infernal Dance of Kashchei from Stravinsky's The Firebird.

    • Large Stage
    • 05 June 2022

• Recital

  Robert-Schumann-Saal, Dusseldorf

  Feb 2022

  • Yun's virtuoso playing is not only a triumph in understanding Bellini's masterpiece itself, but of almost all the sonic possibilities of the piano in romantic literature.

    • Mundo Clasico
    • 16 March 2022

• Orchester Métropolitain

  Maison Symphonique

  Mar 2021

  • With a refined touch, he deploys a rich palette of nuances in a concerto very well chosen for its style and personality. Sincerity and musicality emerge from his interpretation which will gain depth over time. For now, let's just appreciate the beauty of the music he is playing.

    • Ludwig Van
    • 27 March 2021