Ben played the 1st movement of the Liszt 1st piano concerto in the Chicago Symphony Young Artists Competition on Monday. That was the last in a series of competitions in recent months in which he’s played the Liszt.
I listened and thought it was the most expressively I’d heard him play it. His piano teacher (who was there because she was accompanying him) said she was very proud of how he played. He didn’t make the finals or honorable mention list, but he wasn’t necessarily expecting to, since he was competing against the best young pianists in the state.
Ben’s judges comments came yesterday and included several compliments on his playing.