Acclaim
“…most of the works sounded too easy for [Di Wu’s] prodigious digits…Her account of the Brahms [Variations on a Theme by Paganini] is amazing. She takes all the difficult options (her octave glissandos are unbelievable!), and she conjures from the piano absolutely gossamer, violinistic textures, joyous humor, and brilliant airborne tempos.” – Musical America
“[Di Wu’s] torrential octaves, and passionate performances are reminiscent of Martha Argerich…what distinguishes Di Wu from her contemporaries is the level of musical maturity she possesses, her exacting attention to details, and the way she opens her vision of the world to the audience. The sensitivity she possesses and the loving care she lavishes on the most minute details of the music is nothing short of phenomenal…the interpretation was dynamic, with vibrant colors and contrasts, from the quietest pianissimo to the most violent fortissimo. The passion came through with brutality as well as tenderness…the crystal-clear, Argerich-like velocity made the last two [Debussy] Préludes nothing short of breathlessly spectacular…It was the most extravagant and spectacular firework display that I have either seen or heard…a great showcase for showing off all the energy that this extraordinary pianist possesses…executed superbly…I am absolutely in love with her world and cannot wait to hear her perform again.” – Ken Iisaka, San Francisco Classical Voice
“They say that it takes 10,000 hours to become expert at anything. By my reckoning 27-year-old Di Wu, pianist in InConcert Sierra [Nevada]’s Sunday recital, has practiced nearly 40,000. Her extraordinary expertise in a fascinating program of Debussy, Ravel and Liszt was evident. But technique alone does not a pianist make: It also takes perceptiveness, presence and the ability to communicate. Wu has it all…her dynamic range enormous, her sensitivity astonishing, her abandon infectious…Wu captured the moods, drama, and intensity with almost casual brilliance, yet penetrating insight, her hands a blur, the video projection of the keyboard seemingly unable to keep up with the superhuman fingerwork.” – Charles Atthill, TheUnion.com
“Wu is a young pianist of formidable technique and great energy who attacked some of the most outrageously difficult writing of the 19th-century showboat repertoire with confidence and power…Wu’s textures were clear and her sound heroic…[tempi] were ideal for Wu’s fleet finger work. Her reading of Ständchen was warmly emotional, which suited it, and the closing Erlkönig was a flurry of blazing, rapid octaves…Wu’s ability to generate a ferocious amount of sound was impressive…real sparkle and flair…Di Wu is only 22, but she’s already a very fine pianist who I’m confident will have a long, strong career.” – Greg Stepanich, Palm Beach Post
“…the most musically mature and sensitive pianist competing in the finals [of the 2009 Van Cliburn Competition]…Ms. Wu’s deeply poetic renditions of Ravel’s ‘Miroirs’ (on May 23) and ‘Gaspard de la Nuit’… these Ravel works were turned into miniballets by Ms. Wu, who combined assured, contained strength with high drama…Ms. Wu majestically embraced the passionate Rachmaninoff Third Concerto…visitors to Ms. Wu’s own Web site (www.diwupiano.com) can already purchase a privately made CD of her playing Debussy, Liszt and Brahms with dazzling mastery.” – The Wall Street Journal
