Yulianna Avdeeva – Sonata in B flat minor, Op. 35 (third stage, 2010)

I see that so many people criticize her unfairly because she doesn't play things as impressively fast as so many other performers who have set such a tasteless trend. I find Yulianna's sound so beautiful and pure. She always seems to solve the difficult passages in the most musical way, not just in a mechanical way like so many other "famous" performers. It's truly refreshing to listen to such musical renditions, and not the standard machine-like interpretations that lack the human component.

Here's a story. One day I went on an all night tour through several museums in a city in Germany, Nacht der Museen, they do this is different cities. At the end of the long, long night, we went out partying and I went home with a buddy to crash on his sofa. Only thing was, I had a ticket to see Avdeeva in a matinée and I really didn't want to cancel. It was not long after her winning the Chopin Competition. So there I was, full of art and hungover as hell, listening to her on a Steinway that was tuned to be bassy to the max. I had such an experience. My head was ringing in the best way, I felt the music in my spine, I don't know if she was on top form that day, but whatever she was giving, I was ready to accept. Amazing artist, humble and patient with us audience members in a Q&A session after the concert, very generous. I believe she plays things intentionally, this is how she wants to do those, not out of some misplaced beliefs in her technique or anything. This is her expression. You accept her point of view or you skip her concerts and watch other artists.

It’s been 11 years. I still find her performance of sonata the best I’ve ever heard during Chopin piano competitions. Amazing!

This is truly brilliant, emotional, everything!!!

Every time I listen to her version, I feel such heaviness in her musical emotion yet it isn’t the draggy and sluggish kind, but the kind that almost makes you feel nostalgic, like you are thinking about an old friend. And the lighter sections are so brilliant, almost like you are reminiscing your childhood. Just incredible…

7:23 2nd Mt. 14:05 3rd Mt. (Funural March) 23:17 4th Mt.

It was an incredible performance. The first movement, which is full of excitement, could not let go of the tension all the time. It was perfect. The highlight is the 3rd movement. Her performance was so deep and beautiful that I couldn't breathe.

Best recording of this piece!

Yulianna Avdeeva's performance is so edgy and marvellous that I am truly enraptured by it. She literally lives in the moment of the music as she performs it. I have listened to a plethora of other performances, but her's has become my all out favorite; it'e scintillating and 'edge of the seat' for me, to say the least! Her dynamics, phrasing, pedalling, rubatos, evocative sonorities(particularly in the funeral march), voicing and tonality create an atmospheric listening experience.

Instantly turned to tears at the middle D-flat section of the 3rd movement. Her sound is so delicate and beautiful.

ユリアナさんの演奏を改めて聴いてみて、そのスケールの大きさや力強さ、激しさ、どれを取っても私自身の葬送ソナタのイメージとぴったり一致します💘💘💘💘。

I would like to repeat/to quote: She masters golden sound of the piano, she is in outstanding shape and the interpretation is brilliant. She is the best!

Sir Fryderyk Chopin is the pride of Poland! The whole country is very proud of him! 🇵🇱

One of the best interpretations of this sonata.

Krystian Zimerman was not mistaken giving Her special prize for this Sonata. Neither were the members of the Jury in 2010! Her brilliant career has proved it beyond doubt! Yulianna is a great pianistic phenomenon!

昔から何度も何度も聞いてる曲なのに、まるで初めて聞くかのよう。 強烈に個性的なので一度嵌るとホントに抜け出せない。　素晴らしい。

This performance actually gave me chills

Her interpretation is so fresh - no doubt about it

She is impressive,unique and wonderful and I have just listened to this Sonata 5 times by 5 different artists old and new all are impressive ..by simple amount of exposure Horowitz is my favorite and this performance had some of the qualities of a Horowitz redition with the powerful driving left hand ...I like her interpretation very much....I have recently been listening to this Sonata so much I really love the emotionalism in it..and one would think as much as I have listened to it I would be sick of it but I keep hearing something greater and greater and more meaningful...it has even inspired me to try and learn parts of this...this might sound silly to say but seeing these young people and listening to this particular performance restores my faith in humanity..of which I have been very cynical of lately.

The moment the third movement started, my eyes filled with tears and I got chills all over my body. I could not take my eyes off the screen for the rest of the video. I have heard the Sonata so many times but this performance truly is special. Thank you so much.