Yundi Li - Liszt (2003/2015) [HDTracks]

Yundi Li's first recording for Deutsche Grammophon was a profoundly superficial Chopin recital, turning the poet of the piano into the poetaster of piano players. His second recording for DG is this deeply insensitive Liszt recital. As with Li's Chopin recital, no one could doubt that Li is a superb virtuoso with amazing power, astounding dexterity, and astonishing velocity. He tears through the sonata without breaking a sweat and flies through the Rigoletto paraphrase without a slipped note. But how much does it matter when Li's interpretations are null and void, bathos and bombast that is tremendously thrilling but utterly lacking in emotional, intellectual, or spiritual qualities? Time and time again, you'll be blown away by Li's incredible technique, and time and time again, you'll wonder what difference it makes when Li's interpretations are nothing but a spectacular sequence of special effects. Imagine a Jurassic Park starring only dinosaurs or a Star Wars starring only Yoda, and you'll get the idea. Deutsche Grammophon's sound is superbly realistic and lifelike. It's too bad that Li's playing is neither.