Grammy-winning pianist Yefim Bronfman brought his artistry and expertise to Rice’s Shepherd School of Music Dec. 2, leading a master class with graduate students Zhengyi Huang, Saehyun Park, Szuyu Su and Jonathan Mak. Students performed selections by Rachmaninoff, Liszt and Brahms, receiving personalized feedback from one of the world’s most acclaimed pianists.
“It was an incredible experience to perform for and learn from Mr. Bronfman, whose artistry is profoundly inspiring,” said Huang, who along with Su and Mak studies with professor of piano Jon Kimura Parker.
Huang performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2.
“Mr. Bronfman emphasized simplicity as the essence of higher art and described Rachmaninoff's music as ‘so cold it’s hot,’” Huang said. “His insights have given me much to reflect on and explore.”
Su, who performed the first movement of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, shared a similar sentiment.
“It was really a great honor to play for Mr. Bronfman,” Su said. “I was blown away by his demonstrations; the nuances were phenomenal.”
Mak, who performed the opening movement of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, described the session as transformative.
“It was such a wonderful experience to play for one of the great masters of the concerto repertoire,” said Mak, a 2024 Shepherd School Concerto Competition winner who will play the same piece at the Dec. 6 concert with the school’s symphony orchestra. “I really admire his generous warmth of color and sound and his extra attention to expressive phrasing and shape.”
After performing Liszt’s Sonata in B Minor, Park praised Bronfman’s thoughtful approach to every aspect of music-making.
“I truly enjoyed his energy and the sound he creates as well as the way he carefully considers every single note,” said Park, who is a student of artist teacher of piano Brian Connelly. “It was an honor for me to play for him, and I had a lot of fun.”
Check the Shepherd School event calendar for upcoming master classes here.