Changyong Shin at Carnegie 2021

Gina Bachauer Gold Medalist 2018

Roving Pianist had front row seats for Changyong Shin‘s October 29th 2021 Carnegie recital. At $40, they were a bargain.

The recital was sponsored by the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, Mr. Shin won the Foundation’s International Artist Competition in 2018.

However this was not Mr. Shin’s Carnegie debut. That took place at Carnegie Weill in 2016.

Carnegie’s COVID-safe Experience

This was the first time I had been to Carnegie since COVID-19 arrived. Carnegie had a strict new entry process.  You showed vaccination proof or you didn’t get in. There was no “honor system” and there were no exemptions. Once inside, masks were worn all the time.

I wonder how it felt for Changyong Shin, the only unmasked person in the house.

The Program

Changyong Shin’s program had a strong Romantic tilt, opening with Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, followed by Chopin’s Barcarolle and Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise Brillante. The remainder was Rachmaninoff, culminating in his Piano Sonata No. 2. This sumptuous program enticed me to get tickets even though I was not familiar with the pianist.

The Performance

Changyong Shin had a low-key stage presence. Immaculately groomed and tailored, he seemed to have everything under perfect control. His hands had a graceful economy of motion. He occasionally allowed himself more extravagant gestures, but so controlled that they evoked little feeling.

Chopin’s Barcarolle usually sounds good, and under the right hands it can be sublime. Before buying tickets I listened to Changyong Shin – F. Chopin Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60 on YouTube. That was it! I bought two early-access front-row seats on the strength of that performance. I was not disappointed.

Leaving Early

Due to our schedule we could not stay for Rachmaninoff. The staff had assured us that this was not a problem, so after the Andante Spianato we grabbed our stuff and headed for the semi-hidden left side door that we had been directed to use. I hope the pianist did not feel rejected!