Piano Sonata No. 1 (Chopin)

It’s a juvenile composition that Chopin himself did not deem worth publishing. I respect his will, even though it does have lovely passages.

— Piano Sonata No. 1 (Chopin)

There are so many works in the repertoire that are more musically rewarding! The op. 4 sonata has always seemed to me to be a very, very poor specimen; it‘s almost unbelievable that it came from Chopin‘s pen.

— Piano Sonata No. 1 (Chopin)

Chopin’s early piano Sonata, op. 4 has been almost never played in China. This work is Chopin’s very first big structure piano music he ever composed at that moment. I think it was an experimental try for him. Although Chopin is the most popular western “classical” composer in China, nevertheless at this moment, I think, the most important thing for us Chinese is to learn, realize and absorb the essence and spirit of western culture and music but not to take the “complete“.

— Piano Sonata No. 1 (Chopin)

I don’t think I will ever perform Chopin’s first piano sonata; it is not on the same level as the following ones.

— Piano Sonata No. 1 (Chopin)