From the very first chords of Beethoven’s Sonata 27, the performer’s determination and his limpid touch carried his audience away into the romantic world of the work and its subtle nuances.
Liszt’s Ballad N° 2 in B minor follows, it is a frantic work, the musician and the instrument engage in a real joust. Guillaume Vincent demonstrates an awesome virtuosity, yet without forfeiting deep sensitivity, which we will encounter again in the second part of the concert, in Brahm’s Klavier opus 118: what a magic moment! The artist seems to have fathomed deep into the spirit of opus 118, its whispering voices and subtle poetic effects beautifully rendered by the extraordinary piano. Then back to Liszt, with the Hungarian Rhapsody No 1 in EMajor to end this wonderful evening. With brilliantly lively brio Guillaume Vincent overcomes the trickiest traps: he brings this rhapsody various shades of light and demonstrates his perfect pianistic mastery. The way he plays, one feels how self-assured and mature he already is.
Dany Baychère, La Marseillaise August 7th 2012