Yuja Wang: Debussy Arabesque No 1 in E major

Some of these comments on here make me shake my head. I guess some people aren't satisfied unless they can find something to criticize. Yuja Wang was nine years old at the time of this video. I read criticisms like: she lacks emotional depth ... or ... she plays this more in the Classical style than the Impressionistic. Well, how many of you were playing at this level when you were 9? Obviously, Yuja has matured into an exceptional virtuosic adult concert pianist (with lots of emotional depth). She won the 2017 Musical America Musician of the Year award.

She can barely reach the pedals! Amazingly, such a young person can be so focused and driven to play at this level. Wang has continued to progress over the years and has reached the elite level as an adult. It is rare for kids to stick with something for that long and to persevere through the ups and downs. Many find other interests or simply burnout. We are fortunate to listen to her perform.

why do people keep questioning that she's a girl....... just because she has short hair doesn't make her a boy....this is an amazing performace and that's what matters

Wow. I am speechless. I have been studying music and the piano for years and I'm not even remotely CLOSE to this level. Not only on the performance itself, but even on the maturity you can hear emanating from her since the beginning - she speaks beautifully through the keys, and always has - and improving so fast and so high. She was born embodying music, like all the great virtuosos we know and talk about daily. I can not believe this is only about practice (even it is, of course, the most important part); but there is a wonderful gift that she has, and you can hear it ! For a nine-year old !! Remember that she has been studying for only 3 years at this point, I believe. That's remarkable. And now, whatching her recitals and concertos as this incredibly talented, funny, passionate and charming young lady has become something I keep comming back to. The almighty Beethoven sonata 29 was nailed by her after some years, and I was expecting it, as I knew she wouldn't rush to perform it before fully mastering the piece and the composer. That is maturity. That is virtuosity - as reserved for only a handful of great musicians. Now, her interpretation of the 'Hammerklavier' is probably my favorite - as a side note: along with the "visuals" and her personality being so charming, it's great what she does in showing that music isn't meant to be boring, but enjoyed ! By her and everyone else. I wish I could congratulate her in person, for she is truly one of a kind. Yuja, you are one the greats ! I'm thankful for having access to the web and sharing a moment in time with such geniuses and being able to watch and hear they play, for it really does fuel my life: as a musician and a human being in general. Thank you for inspiring us all !! Keep up the great work ! And make sure you come to Brazil in 2020 so I can watch you live and get inspired to study the instrument more hahah Much love from Brazil !!

Yuja Wang at nine years old, so cute with her short haircut and even at this age she played so wonderfully well. What an adorable kid she was and has now become a virtuoso pianist and also a beautiful and charming young lady.

Her skilled fingers just move the same way as they do today! The technique already totally natural and relaxed. This is called a huge talent :-)

She started when she was 6 years old, so she plays like this after 3 years of studying...I rest my case!

Already then she was on her way to be on of the best pianists

When I watch this, I can barely believe this is a 9-year playing!!! She grew up to be one of the very best in our world today. She is clearly a sparkling virtuoso from the start and what a pleasure to watch! Her play is so masterful and so highly expressive and downright soulful already at this age and that is usually reserved for very mature players after many years of study!! Thank you for posting this wonderful video as it is the first I have seen of the great Yuja Wang as a child! ~Jackie

Yuja Wang is one of the most talented people on the planet who just so happens to be beautiful. We humans should be glad that GOD created such a fine person as Ms. Wang; you go girl!!

At the age of nine I ran down the street playing a whistle.

Astonishing for a 9 year old. Now I understand more how Josef Hoffman and Claudio Arrau who were child prodigies playing difficult music that early. I've been playing this piece for years and although Yuja plays it a little too fast for my taste she still plays it better than I do. She was born to play the piano and share her gift with all of us. BTW, she plays Fantasy Impromptu at this age beautifully which is even more difficult.

How can a 9-year-old have such a mature performance style?? Ok, she is Yuja...yes, obviously... yeah, I know... but.

Watching this video after watching all her later performances is like live through her life with her. Certainly the story has not ended yet. What a legend.

Even at the age of 9 you can see that she is channeling some higher power in her rendering of this First Arabesque.

I cannot believe it that her small fingers moved really same way compared to her doing nowadays :-) Just incredible and unbelievable

She is probably my favorite classical pianist of all time. Kudos to her for bringing this top-notch quality playing and contributing cultural legacy of these great composers. Yuja Wang is an iconic musician who has an incredible rhythmic sensitivity for playing magnificently especially great Russian composers’ music and feeling in her playing and people who say the opposite are simply haters. Big respect and love to her! Greetings fron Turkey.

It was all there already. What sensitive playing! What control of the instrument, what command. How much her teachers really taught her later on only she could say, probably. But it is obvious she already had most if not all the qualities to become a virtuoso pianist, to make that her career objective. At 9 years old! AND she spoke & acted & thought Chinese then too, which I find at least as interesting as her American persona. PS: And I love the haircut & her ears! :-)

Amazing. Yuja was just 9 years old but already has her taste.

Such a beautiful piece and my favourite by Debussy. Hard to believe that a nine year old could master it so well. A child prodigy for sure.