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“Lovers of piano music should not miss this CD. Above all, it makes us acquainted with Claire Huangci, whose CD debut stands out even in the richly stocked noble ranks of young pianists who have barely outgrown the wunderkind stage. Huangci's completely loose and unaggressive playing is matched, as if tailor-made, by a sound that establishes open spatiality without superficial brilliance.”

“A debut CD that makes you sit up and listen: Claire Huangci has recorded 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Romeo and Juliet' as well as the Sugar Plum Fairy dance from 'The Nutcracker' in Mikhail Pletnev's piano arrangements — with great verve and crystalline technique, but above all with the outstanding ability to differentiate. Because the natural sound image is also convincing, it is enormous fun rediscovering these earworms.”

“A highly distinctive debut from an emerging and blossoming keyboard talent. Not only does Huangci match Pletnev's own recording for sheer virtuosic aplomb and alluring tone color, but she also brings her own ideas to the table. Huangci's compulsively detailed dynamic shadings more convincingly evoke Tchaikovsky's diverse instrumentation, and her affinity for the composer's underestimated lyric gift makes itself felt in every bar.”

“American pianist Claire Huangci plays the arranged ballet numbers by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky on this CD, showing not only her digital dexterity but also her musicality, since she imaginatively traces the moods within each piece. There is nothing to criticize here, and anyone who enjoys such a program will get a good hour's worth.”

“On her debut album Claire Huangci undertakes a multifaceted excursion into the transcribed world of fairy tales and theatre. She brings all the technical prerequisites in astonishingly mature form. Huangci captures the manifold moods of these character pieces precisely and with audible joy in playing. In short: not only has Pletnev succeeded in brilliantly mirroring the orchestral colorfulness of the movements — Huangci's playing achieves this too.”

“Huangci had set herself a higher goal: she wanted to retell as vividly and colorfully as possible the story underlying each movement. And the 23-year-old American with Chinese roots succeeds in this astonishingly well: beyond the seemingly effortless and sonorous realisation, she plays her program with a surprisingly broad palette of touch nuances. Even a Maestro 'washed with all waters' could hardly play a more imaginative and colorful 'orchestra on the piano'.”

“For Russian composers Claire Huangci has always had a special affection — and not only because of the virtuosic fireworks she commands superbly. Above all it was the richness of images and emotions that drew her in. With her debut album she proves that she has found her very own way of narrating these fairy-tale ballets — with great imagination, devotion and a razor-sharp technique.”

“The young American has an incredible piano technique, and the joy she takes in the instrument and the music comes across one-to-one. With her fabulous virtuosity and broad palette of tone colors she gives each piece its own character. Hats off to this brilliant calling card from Claire Huangci — a name to remember. This young woman has what it takes for a great career; she is a true extreme talent at the keys.”

“The young artist succeeds convincingly — with imagination, great empathy and stupendous technique she finds her own, entirely personal way of narrating. Russian repertoire is especially close to her at the moment, and she has a very personal access to it.”

“Tchaikovsky's ballet music for 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'The Nutcracker' is not everyone's cup of tea: music like over-sugared lemonade. How fortunate that Mikhail Pletnev's piano transcription reduces the orchestral writing to the essential while remaining highly pianistic. The brilliant playing of the American-Chinese pianist Claire Huangci brings the fairy-tale events vividly before the listener and makes one forget that the pieces were originally written for large orchestra. Enchanting!”

“Bright, virtuoso and poetic: on her new CD with works by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, pianist Claire Huangci recommends herself as a refined creator of sound. With delicate yet compelling narrative power, she gives shape to the Sleeping Beauty concert suite in the legendary transcription by the Russian exceptional pianist Mikhail Pletnev. Alongside the poetic sensitivity with which she models the dramatic scenes, what convinces above all is the analytical power with which she lays bare the structures of the music without disenchanting them.”

“Huangci's German debut album makes one sit up and listen — on the one hand, because the American with Chinese parents does not introduce herself with canonical confectionery; on the other, because for the hurdle-laden ballet pieces by Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev she brings an astonishing instinct. Here a young lady really shows her paw. More exciting than the audible power, however, is the wealth of colours, which still shine through in the wild whirl of countless notes. Formidable!”