Pianist Yuanyuan Liu Moves Audience at Puerto Piano & Strings Festival Debut

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — On June 28, 2025, pianist Yuanyuan Liu gave a memorable performance at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, presenting Brahms’ Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No. 2 with deep emotional resonance. Held at the Sala Anthony “Junior” Soto, the concert marked Liu’s debut appearance in Puerto Rico, and one that immediately captured attention. A full house, sustained audience response, and praise from leading educators made it one of the most talked-about performances of the week.

The concert was part of the Puerto Piano & Strings Festival, a 6-day program known for its intensive format and distinguished faculty roster. With a combination of public recitals, masterclasses, and artistic exchange, the festival has become a vital platform for high-level performance and mentorship across the Americas. Liu was invited to take part as a performer, and she also worked alongside faculty and peers from institutions such as The Juilliard School, New York University, Berklee College of Music, and the Mannes School of Music.

During her performance, Liu’s interpretation of the Brahms intermezzo was intimate and structurally refined, with a tone quality that balanced lyricism and control. The piece, deceptively simple on the surface, was delivered with measured phrasing and emotional clarity that resonated immediately with the audience.

“This was my first time performing in Puerto Rico and also my first real encounter with Latin American musical culture,” Liu said. “The audience here was incredibly warm and genuine. Their response after the performance was deeply moving—they weren’t shy with their applause, and they expressed their emotions openly despite the English-Spanish barrier. In that moment, I truly felt how music transcends language—it creates the most direct and heartfelt connection between people.”

Afterwards, Liu’s performance drew praise from several distinguished faculty members at the festival. Michael Lewin, Professor and Head of Piano at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, remarked that she “played with great musicality, emotion, and musical maturity,” and noted the “tremendous ovation from the audience.”

Eteri Andjaparidze, professor at NYU Steinhardt and Mannes School of Music, described the performance as “utterly poetic and insightful,” praising it was “delivered with style, a rich tone palette, and artistic imagination to captivate the enthusiastic audience.”

José Ramos Santana, chair of piano at the Hartt School and founder and artistic director of the Festival, commented: “Her interpretation was marked by an understanding of style, beautiful tone, and deep lyricism. She received a wonderful response from the audience.”

Manuel Laufer, Director of the Program in Piano Performance at NYU Steinhardt, emphasized that Liu performed with “memorable intimacy, beautiful colors, and intelligent pacing,” and that “her sensitivity and poise stood out in an evening of beautiful performances by young musicians.”

Juilliard cello professor Darrett Adkins also applauded Liu for her depth, versatility, and expressive command. “There is nothing she can’t do, only what she chooses to do.” He described her artistic potential as “limitless”—a sentiment that reflected the regard Liu earned across the festival’s professional circle.

Liu’s debut in Puerto Rico marked not only an important step in her international career but also a reaffirmation of her belief in music as a vehicle for connection across cultures. “This week reminded me why I perform,” Liu noted. “Not for perfection, but for connection. For making something that reaches beyond words.”

Her performance in Puerto Rico affirmed what her audiences around the world have come to recognize: Liu is a pianist of maturity, artistry, and vision—one who continues to shape the evolving landscape of global classical music.