On November 22, 2022, the newly opened Steinway Vienna showroom welcomed an exceptional young talent to its stage: French pianist Paul Ji. Invited by Steinway & Sons to record a concert as part of their artist series, Paul delivered a powerful and poetic performance, confirming his place among the most promising pianists of his generation.
Set against the elegant backdrop of Steinway’s refined new space, the recital was both intimate and grand, showcasing a masterful program that demanded technical prowess, emotional depth, and interpretive insight.
Paul opened with Beethoven’s Sonata No. 23 “Appassionata,” Op. 57, a bold choice that set the tone for the evening. His performance captured the sonata’s turbulent energy and structural tension with maturity beyond his years. The audience was gripped from the first ominous chords to the fiery coda.
Shifting to a more lyrical mood, “Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon” offered a serene interlude. Paul’s sensitive interpretation brought out the piece’s flowing elegance and cultural nuance, bridging Eastern and Western musical traditions with grace.
Next came Schubert’s towering “Wanderer Fantasy, Op. 15”, a work of both athletic and intellectual demand. Paul navigated the Fantasie’s sweeping architecture with clarity and precision, allowing Schubert’s themes to sing while never losing momentum.
The folk-inspired “Liu Yang River” again highlighted Paul’s ability to express cultural identity through refined artistry, and was followed by a sparkling interpretation of Chopin’s Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op. 22—a true showpiece. With elegant phrasing and brilliant flourishes, Paul brought out both the lyrical charm and virtuosic exuberance of this beloved work.
To close the solo program, Paul dazzled with Liszt’s La Campanella, a piece that demands fingertip brilliance and iron control. His performance was effortlessly fluid and delivered with charm and finesse, drawing spontaneous applause from the intimate audience.
As a final touch, Paul was joined by his sister, Esther Ji, for a four-hand performance of Debussy’s “En Bateau” from Petite Suite. Their musical rapport and unity brought a dreamlike close to the evening, evoking a sense of floating tranquility.
This concert marked not only a celebration of Steinway Vienna’s new chapter, but also a memorable moment in Paul Ji’s rising international career. Elegant, expressive, and technically formidable, Paul Ji’s recital reaffirmed why he is a young pianist to watch closely.
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