This summer, Yuja Wang joins conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Orchestra for an extended concert tour throughout Europe. The performances highlight Ms. Wang as soloist on Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, and also feature rotating programmes including Nielsen’s Symphony No. 5 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 (“Pathetique”). They present concerts at London’s Barbican Centre (June 8), Malmö’s Konserthus (June 10), the Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen (June 11), the Musikkens Hus in Aalborg (June 12), and a final performance at Lahti’s Sibeliustalo (June 13).
“Brahms’s Second Concerto, like most of his later works, was written to sound reflective and mellow. That was not the effect here. Yuja’s characteristic drive and energy made her playing sound sparkly, with strong rhythmic emphasis. She found the kinetic “push” even in Brahms’ most contemplative music. The Andante, the most lyrical movement, she played with as much strength as reasonably possible, gently but with drive.” (San Francisco Classical Voice)