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Bruce Liu - Waves is rte Lyric: Lorcan's Pick of the Week

Victory at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in October 2021 turned Bruce Liu into a worldwide sensation. Deutsche Grammophon’s live album of his competition recordings was released to rave reviews the following month, and the Canadian-Chinese pianist became an exclusive DG artist in March 2022. He released a series of Rameau and Chopin singles in 2022, and an acclaimed interpretation of J.S. Bach’s French Suite No. 5 in April this year (“[a] carefully conceived and superbly played reading” ClassicalMusic.com). As a result, he has already amassed over 25 million streams across all platforms.

Liu has now recorded his much-anticipated debut studio album, its repertoire spanning two centuries of French keyboard music and including two works new to the DG catalogue. Waves: Music by Rameau · Ravel · Alkan, featuring liner notes by Gramophone editor James Jolly, is out digitally, on CD and vinyl (2 LPs), and as a signed limited-edition deluxe version out today. Three singles with performance videos are also released in advance of the album: the Gavotte from Rameau’s Suite in A minor– coinciding with Liu’s Hollywood Bowl debut; “Une barque sur l’océan” from Ravel’s Miroirs; and the Menuets from Rameau’s Suite in G major on.

Since winning the Chopin Competition Bruce Liu has become renowned for his breath taking, charismatic live performances. Recording an entire studio album therefore posed a different challenge, but one he has relished. “For me, it’s in a studio that you can really make your own puzzle,” he explains. “It’s like making a piece of art, putting everything together.”

The Paris-born pianist has taken a historical approach to his repertoire choices, focusing on three French composers who played a part in the evolution of keyboard music between the 18th and early 20th centuries. From the extensive output of Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) he plays excerpts from the Pièces de clavessin and Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin, including programmatic works such as La poule and Les sauvages, as well as dance movements. Rameau was of course writing before the invention of the piano, and Liu has spent time studying with harpsichordists to refine the subtleties of his interpretations.

Bruce Liu - Waves is rte Lyric: Lorcan's Pick of the Week for week: November 27th. All this week on Classic Drive, Lorcan will feature music from Bruce Liu's new album, Waves - Music by Rameau, Ravel, Alkan.


rte writes…..Bruce Liu has now released his much-anticipated debut studio album, its repertoire spanning two centuries of French keyboard music and including two works new to the DG catalogue. Waves: Music by Rameau · Ravel · Alkan. The Paris-born pianist has taken a historical approach to his repertoire choices, focusing on three French composers who played a part in the evolution of keyboard music between the 18th and early 20th centuries. From the extensive output of Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) he plays excerpts from the Pièces de clavessin and Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin, including programmatic works such as La poule and Les sauvages, as well as dance movements. Rameau was of course writing before the invention of the piano, and Liu has spent time studying with harpsichordists to refine the subtleties of his interpretations.

Tune in at 5:20 everyday this week to hear a selection from this album on Lorcan Murray's Classic Drive.
 

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