Eric Lu, the Chopin International Piano Competition winner, has released a new recording of Schubert's eight Impromptus, cementing his reputation as a serious talent. The album, released on Warner Classics, follows his 2022 recording of Schubert's late sonatas.
Lu's approach to these profound works is mature and un-egotistical, according to critics. He is particularly adept at conveying Schubert's overarching structures, creating a mesmerising sense of stasis while maintaining intricate detail beneath the surface. In several performances, time seems to stand still.
From the lonely opening of Op 90 No 1, Lu draws listeners in with expansive phrasing. His playing is weightier than some, but his lines extend into the distance with smoothly turned corners, and dramatic passages emerge naturally from preceding material.
While the performances may not yet be distinctive enough to make this recording the top choice in a crowded field, they certainly validate the Chopin judges' decision. Lu is confirmed as a serious talent.
