TIEN HSIEH

• Schumann-Liszt: Widmung (Dedication)

“[ * * * * ] [Liszt’s Venezia e Napoli] is finely executed with a delicate yet persistent touch that serves the music well... Tien Hsieh once again proves herself a dominating and forcefully interpretative presence. Her technique is strong, her tone warm and clear, and she identifies with these pieces in a way that would have made Earl Wild, that master of transcriptions, proud. Sound is excellent.”

Steve Ritter, Audiophile Audition [February 2015]

"The effect is that Liszt himself was in my living room, creating extempore fantasias on pieces he loved, or spontaneously transcribing and embellishing the music at sight... Hsieh opens the program with Busoni's transcription of Bach's Toccata, Adagio and Fugue. In that transcription, Busoni expands on the Lisztian tradition. Hsieh plays with grace and energy. She has a keen ear for the music's architecture, and make the piano sing in every register."

Benjamin Katz, American Record Guide [May/June 2011]

"I am very pleased that she has returned with her impressively exciting accounts of the Bach-Busoni and also the Bach-Liszt Fantasy and Fugue in G Minor, and the Schumann-Liszt "Widmung" (which was likewise an encore at the end of the 2008 Weill Hall concert). I still retain in my mind's ear beautiful performances of Beethoven's Op. 111 and Schumann's "Humoresque" at that recital... In commenting upon this recorded anthology, I can reiterate that Tien Hsieh is a formidable virtuoso and also a magnetic musical persona... In terms of color, texture and concentration on detail, she immediately makes you sit up and take notice! The opening measures of the Bach-Busoni Toccata, slashing and sparely pedaled, along with the arranger's clever "Busonifications", recreate the facsimile of the original organ, with its characteristic squeal and visceral intensity. (I might add that the state-of-the-art fidelity of the recording further enhances the physical allure of this thrusting and appropriate interpretation). (Note too, Ms. Hsieh's precise articulation of the Fugue)."

Harris Goldsmith, New York Concert Review, [25 February 2011]

"The Busoni and Liszt Bach transcriptions, as well as the Cortese piece, have the effect of solid pillars, with the song transcriptions providing a more lyrical contrast, and Hsieh's readings find links between Busoni and Liszt: she has a way of deploying accent and articulation that suggest the quirky personal charisma each pianist-composer must have had."

James Manheim, AllMusic.com [2011]

CLICK HERE TO VIEW TIEN HSIEH'S MUSICAL AMERICA SHOWCASE

Born in Taiwan, pianist Tien Hsieh immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of nine, and began her early musical training with her mother, Sylvia. Praised for exceptional temperament, personal expressivity and insight, Hsieh has enjoyed a far-ranging career as a recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician. Amongst her various accolades are the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, Li-Ching Cultural and Educational Foundation Grant, Distinguished Artist Award from Artists International Presentations and a cover feature on the Sacramento Talent Magazine in 2012. She has been heard on radio stations in the United States and Canada, and has appeared on PBS for the International Piano Festival in Houston. Her recital appearances include performances throughout the United States, and in Hungary, Germany and China. In 2014, she will begin a Liszt program tour at the University of Vermont, followed by Boston University, a return to the Liszt Museum in Budapest, and a recital at the Liszt Festival in Albano, Italy. As a concerto soloist, Hsieh has performed with Spokane Symphony at The Festival at Sandpoint, Redlands Symphony at Redlands Bowl, Oregon Mozart Players, Houston Civic Symphony and Manhattan Philharmonia. She received her Bachelor of Music degree as a full scholarship student at University of Houston, studying with Abbey Simon and Ruth Tomfohrde. As a scholarship student at the Manhattan School of Music, she received a Professional Studies Diploma and Master of Music degree under the tutelage of Marc Silverman. While at the Manhattan School, Hsieh received the Roy M. Rubinstein award and Bettingen Corporation Grant.

[ www.tienhsieh.com ]
  J.S. BACH-BUSONI
Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major, BWV 564

FRANZ SCHUBERT-LISZT
Der Müller und der Bach (The Miller and the Stream) [D.795/19] S.565

FREDERIC CHOPIN-LISZT
Meine Freuden (My Joys) Op.74 No.5

J.S. BACH-LISZT
Fantasy and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542

ROBERT SCHUMANN-LISZT
Widmung (Dedication), Op.25 No.1

GLEN CORTESE
Elegy (2008)

ROBERT SCHUMANN-LISZT
Frühlingsnacht (Spring Night), Op.39 No.12

FRANZ SCHUBERT-LISZT
Litanei auf das Fest Aller Seelen (Litany for the Feast of All Souls), D.343

FRANZ LISZT
Venezia e Napoli: Gondoliera, Canzone, Tarantella



MSR Classics