“Tiffany Poon’s refined workmanship and intelligent musicality deserve respect and consideration, as does Pentatone’s superb recording.“
Jed Distler
Diaries: Schumann, performed by Tiffany Poon, received a wonderful review from Gramophone!
Hong Kong-born New York-based Tiffany Poon is one of the piano world’s most enterprising vloggers and YouTube denizens, as well as the founder of the charity Together with Classical. Fortunately, the charming, articulate and determined personality that comes across through her social media platforms is reflected in the seriousness and focus of the Schumann performances contained on her Pentatone solo debut release.
However, this gifted pianist makes Schumann’s Davidsbündlertänze her own. Although her basic and rather strictly held tempo for the opening piece is less lively and impetuous than Schumann’s Lebhaft directive implies, her buoyant rhythm, variety of touch, discreet pedalling and shapely phrasing command attention. Similarly, No 2’s unpressured lilt results from the pianist’s steady pulse and clearly delineated inner voices. Note, too, the controlled abandon of No 4’s broken chords, plus a disarmingly strolling rather than indulgently lurching No 5 for a change.
…Tiffany Poon’s refined workmanship and intelligent musicality deserve respect and consideration, as does Pentatone’s superb recording.
Jed Distler
