Claire Huangci

A whirlwind at the keyboard with an immense enthusiasm for playing, the pianist has also developed a musicality and a colour-rich tone, which, along with her apparent technical ease, is merely a springboard for a wholly individual musical conception.
Rondo, Christoph Forsthoff, Februar 2018

In Claire Huangci’s playing, the flow of the music does not run away with itself or become arbitrary, but rather remains intensely alert: her attack is delicate yet distinct. (…) Claire Huangci follows the poetry of the cycle sensitively, taking care to differentiate the polyphonic voices. Irresistible yet always considerate and alert, Claire Huangci lets herself become captured by the magic of [Chopin’s] music.
PianoNews, Hans-Dieter Grünefeld, September 2017

She’s aware of the importance of Chopin’s Classical side and there are many instances where she favours restraint over cheap emoting, which is much to the good. There’s also a real range of interpretation, which makes the set consistently appealing. (…) One of the most impressive readings here is of the C minor Nocturne, Op 48 No 1, in which an innate solemnity grows to extraordinary depths in Huangci’s hands. (…). An impressive addition to the Chopin catalogue from a pianist from whom I’m sure we’ll be hearing much more.
Gramophone, Harriet Smith, July 2017, on the Chopin-CD

There are not too many complete recordings of Chopin’s Nocturnes – Claire Huangci’s offers a totally unique view and is absolutely worth a listen for her lyrical and serious attitude.
Radio Bremen, Wilfried Schäper, 29/5/2017 on the Chopin-CD

This is not a dreamy quasi-improvisation or playful salon music, and neither does the interpretation go after gut feeling. On the contrary, this is an extremely clear and pure recording with gravitas, significance and considerable appeal which certainly must be taken seriously.
Pizzicato, Remy Franck, 22/5/2017, on the Chopin-CD

It is more than simply worth a listen! (...) Throughout the consistent tranquility, she knows to distinguish between naturalness of expression on the one hand and emotive languorousness and passion on the other.
Rondo, Guido Fischer, 13/05/2017

Huangci plays Brahms’ Variations and Fugue on a theme by Handel op. 24 accurately, precisely, virtuosically, and from time to time shrewdly accentuated, with an expansive tone that is never applied too thickly.
Süddeutsche Zeitung, Andreas Pernpeintner, 9/4/2017

Do we need another recording of Chopin’s Nocturnes? Not really! But when one hears this brand new double-CD from Claire Huangci, which comes out on 5th May, the answer is yes!
Süddeutsche Zeitung, CD-Tipp, 6/4/2017

This concerto (Liszt's Piano Concerto No.2) sets a gauntlet of versatility, which Claire Huangci ran with apparent effortlessness. (…) Claire Huangci (…) is working on a piano sound for which she will become well known.
Neue Westfälische Paderborn, Ulla Meyer, 07/10/2016

With distinct accentuations and superior technique, Huangci confirmed her reputation as one of the most expressive Chopin interpreters of her generation.
Südkurier, Gerd Kurat, 04/08/2016

This is Scarlatti artistry of the highest order. (…) It’s gratifying to have followed Huangci’s progression from a 16-year-old prodigy to a 25-year-old artist poised for greatness.
Gramophone, Jed Distler, 17/08/2015

She certainly is brilliant but what is particularly impressive is the feeling of ease that she exudes while playing. Her subtle flair for dynamics, nuanced rhythms and intonation help her in Scarlatti’s playful baroque sonatas.
Süddeutsche Zeitung, Ekaterina Kel, 15/04/2015

Glistening virtuosity and creative authority. (…) She invited the audience to interact alertly with the piece because she did not thunder through it but offered subtle nuances and sensitive sound dramaturgy. The pianist drew on her stupendous technical skills for this energetic, brilliantly balanced playing, which had a sense for overview, logic and precise attention to detail: the ideal “picture” of a Tchaikovsky interpretation.
Salzburger Nachrichten, 10/11/2014

Website