Pianist Wu Han Selects

About the Playlist

May 13, 2021

Speaking with host Helga Davis in the most recent episode of our new streaming conversation series, Unmasking the Arts: Looking to the Future, pianist Wu Han said that for her, “Schubert is the most perfect pandemic listening.” To follow up on her conversation, she shares a few more beloved tracks for our Collective Listening Project that have served as a bedrock throughout a long and celebrated career as the Co-Artistic Director of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Join us as we mark Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

FRANZ SCHUBERT String Quintet in C Major, D. 956, Op. 163
Mstislav Rostropovich, cello, and the Emerson String Quartet

The Schubert cello quintet is one of the greatest “desert island” pieces for any musician. Artistically, this recording is the highest achievement of this piece. And not to mention, I was at the recording session—witnessing this miracle happen in front of me.

Horowitz in Moscow
Vladimir Horowitz, piano

I love Vladimir Horowitz. He is the greatest pianist in the world. On this occasion when he returned to Moscow, there was so much emotion in his piano playing. This particular recording is just astonishing.

JOHANNES BRAHMS Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87
Isaac Stern, violin, Eugene Istomin, piano, and Leonard Rose, cello

I worked right next to Mr. Stern for many years at his Chamber Music Encounters program. The integrity of this playing has completely set the industry standard for any piano trio.

FRANZ SCHUBERT Winterreise, D. 911, Op. 89
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone

Any lieder recordings by Fischer-Dieskau are worth gold. Every time I listen to this great singer perform Winterreise, Dichterliebe, or any of the song cycles, I will always be brought to tears.