Jussen Brothers

[gapoc459]

So these young brothers, Arthur and Lucas signed with DG at the ages of 13 and 17, respectively. They have a few videos on Youtube. I like what I am hearing; their tone quality is superb, and I have yet to find flaws in their technique. Their playing misses a sense of purpose, I think, though that will probably come with age.

But they hardly have had an international career, and there's practically no variety in their repertoire. Furthermore, among the piece they've played, I've not seen any "real" pieces, the most serious having been Beethoven's 2nd concerto and Schubert impromptus.

Also they study with Maria Joao Pires, whose playing I love.

So do they deserve their contract? Again, I like how they sound, but I am not sure if they merit such recognition at such an early stage in their careers. Or am I overestimating the prestige of a DG contract?

[gapoc459]

Weird, they are not mentioned anywhere on DG's website...

[asiantraveller101]

IMHO, needs more time to mature. However, in this modern world of music-making, they are just trying to grab the limelight sooner than later, lest the opportunity slips by.

[j_menz]

So do they deserve their contract?

Presumably DG think so.

[awesom_o]

So these young brothers, Arthur and Lucas signed with DG at the ages of 13 and 17, respectively. They have a few videos on Youtube. I like what I am hearing; their tone quality is superb, and I have yet to find flaws in their technique. Their playing misses a sense of purpose, I think, though that will probably come with age.

If you like what you are hearing, they have flawless technique, and you think their tone quality is superb, then what IS this 'sense of purpose' that is missing?


Personally, I thought that their tone left much to be desired. I felt, in terms of technique, that there was very little in the way of developed legato or portamento. I found the Pathetique interpretation to be particularly stale. The trills were so disappointing, it brought tears to my eyes.

I notice one of them like to lift his fingers very high above the keys when playing scale passages. This causes poor connection the sound and reduced accuracy.

[gapoc459]

"Sense of purpose". Idk, a direction toward the music. They're just playing the notes, sometimes with nice phrasing, but it doesn't go anywhere (see Arthur's Op. 118 No. 2). He's expressing, but he has no idea what he's expressing. I'm not sure, just my impressions.

But yeah, if there's so much left to be desired, what are they doing with DG? And why aren't they even listed on the site if they are recording for them?

[awesom_o]

I don't think it is coincidence that Jan Lisieki, another young virtuoso annointed by DG as one of the 'chosen ones' yet who is also somewhat lacking in technical and musical skill, is also of the same age and has curly blonde hair.

DG clearly thinks teenagers with curly blonde hair are far more marketable as genius-pianists.

[j_menz]

DG clearly thinks teenagers with curly blonde hair are far more marketable as genius-pianists.

Lisieki is 20 - no longer a teenager.

Of course, as someone who once was a teenager with curly blonde hair, I can't help but admire DG's perspicacity.