Lang Lang

[amee]

I recently saw an article in the newspaper about this amazing pianist.  It talked a lot about all the sacrifices his parents made to let him continue playing the piano, something I found very moving.  Does anyone have any facts or comments about Lang Lang?

He's coming to New Zealand to perform in 2004, Yay!

[eddie92099]

He opened this years BBC Proms in London with Tchaikovsky's First (which he has just recorded with Barenboim coupled with Rach 3). He was riled by the critics though - what I have heard if his playing is unimaginative (he managed to make Balakirev's Islamey sound like Scarlatti!),
Ed

[thracozaag]

"Lang-Lang is the JLO of the piano"

--Earl Wild


No matter how many times I hear that, it still cracks me up.

[tosca1]

Lang Lang is a phenomenal talent and a glorious pianist but I have not heard him live and l am looking forward to that experience when he tours this country next year.  

I heard him earlier this year on Bill McLachlan's "St Paul's Sunday" which is an excellent interview and performance programme from Minnesota hosted  by Bill. His playing was technically immaculate and utterly inspired and I do not agree with those detractors who say that his playing is "unimaginative".

Regards,
Robert.

[Hmoll]

I saw him at the opening of the Mostly Mozart festival in NY.

He played the Mendelssohn G minor concerto, and the Liszt Don Juan Fantasy as an encore (the Liszt piece that never ends).

There are a lot of physical histrionics in his playing - gazing at the ceiling, gesturing to the orchestra, smiling a lot - none of which conveyed any authentic emotion, or furthered the music in any way.

I did not find his playing very compelling, and could not even say his technique blew me away.

Keep in mind that he is pretty young, and could still mature into an artist. I'll check him out again in about 10 yrs.

[Bosendorfer_214]

I saw him live and met him afterwards.  He has more personality on stage than in person.  The Liszt Paggini Etudes were te most memorable.  No wrong notes.  very clean.  Although it was a wonderful performance i did not feel in any way, a part of it.  Those of you who have heard the great pianists of our century live know what I mean.  he played Horowitz's Stars and Stripes Forever as an encore.  

Off to see Van Cliburn tonight...

[eddie92099]

Off to see Van Cliburn tonight...

Where? And what is he playing?
Ed

[meiting]

He's a phenomenal talent, but you don't mature by playing 150 concerts a year.

[Bosendorfer_214]

Tschaikowsky B-flat minor.  Sowthwest United States.

He gave three encores: Rachmaninov Prelude Op.32 No 12, Revolutionary Etude, and nobody is sure wat the last one was.  There was a 15 minute standing ovation.

[eddie92099]

Shame he never plays in London!
Ed

[tosca1]

But did you not say that he opened this year's BBC proms in London by playing the Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto?

Regards,
Robert.  

[thracozaag]

But did you not say that he opened this year's BBC proms in London by playing the Tchaikovsky First Piano Concerto?

Regards,
Robert.  

 I think he was referring to Cliburn, not Lang-Lang.

[eddie92099]

To clarify:
Lang Lang opened the Proms
It is a shame Van Cliburn never plays in London
Ed

[Laurationg]

Do you guys enjoying watching a pianist who moves a lot physically?  I find that quite distracting.....

[eddie92099]

In moderation it is okay, but I saw Alexander Taradze doing Rachmaninov's Second recently and he was literally all over the place (sitting incredibly far away from the piano and literally standing up in some places!) and that was distracting,
Ed

[redberry]

Share my view of the supertalented Lang Lang- I saw him live in Seoul, Korea. It was great and unusual fun  , especially the encores with his father who played on a chinese traditional instrument, playing together. It was great !! He is an emotional artist-and most various acting one like the first half he weared western  concert clothes and the second half he changed to a chinesestyle clothes (blue colour)-very thought ful way...Yes, it was a great and exceptional event!

[Hmoll]

I don't find his playing interesting at all. His reviewers are staring to catch up to this, as well. The NY Tmes pretty much panned his NY debut, saying his playing was not very coherent, and not even technically compelling.

His on-stage antics are annoying, as well.

[e60m5]

The NY Times slammed his Carnegie solo recital debut.

I was lucky enough to be there at that recital, and I cannot agree with the critics.

It seems all too easy for people to jump on the proverbial bandwagon nowadays in slamming a widely-accepted talent for the sake of wanting to seem sophisticated and one step above from the rest who are in approval of this said person. Take a step back, and what are you criticising?

I read the review by the NYTimes with interest. The critic in question slammed Lang Lang for his interpretations of the music; they criticised his interpretation of the Schubert Wanderer Fantasy, praised his rendition of the D Flat Chopin Nocturne; panned his encore of Schumann's Traumerie, and rubbished his Schuman Abegg variations.

Yet what do they want Lang Lang to do? Offer up an interpretation of those pieces that has been heard a million times over?

If that is what they want, then they should go listen to any other pianist in the world (after first removing their head from their posterior). I support Lang Lang in that he is not afraid to put forth his own, personal interpretations of a piece in the face of potential criticism. The thing about Lang Lang's performance that Friday was that it was music, and it was music that moved. It was the essence of piano playing at its finest, and were it to conjure some controversy in the process, then so be it.

I feel sorry for that NYTimes reporter who thinks he is too good to like the playing of Lang Lang. And others who have similarly criticised his playing should hear him first before spouting off on their so far invalid opinions.

[Hmoll]

The NY Times slammed his Carnegie solo recital debut.

Yet what do they want Lang Lang to do? Offer up an interpretation of those pieces that has been heard a million times over?

If that is what they want, then they should go listen to any other pianist in the world (after first removing their head from their posterior). I support Lang Lang in that he is not afraid to put forth his own, personal interpretations of a piece in the face of potential criticism. The thing about Lang Lang's performance that Friday was that it was music, and it was music that moved. It was the essence of piano playing at its finest, and were it to conjure some controversy in the process, then so be it.

It's been a few weeks since I read that article, but from what I remember, the writer was being critical of Lang Lang's lack of interpretation, and not demonstrating an understanding of the music.

The bandwagon - if one exists - seems to be in LL's favor at the moment, since he has a huge DG contract and a lot of engagements. It's refreshing to see reviewers with the courage to call a spade a spade.

[jennbo]

i've seen him perform on tv.  to me he sounded a bit dry.  his techniques were nothing special.  i think he'll need many more years to mature into a great pianist (that is if he will actually make it).   I still favor the greats like richter, de la rocca, horowitz and etc over him.  

[The Tempest]

IMO, he's very good but not stunning, eg he'll never be able to throw a Cziffra technique.

He's coming to Australia in August 2004, though. Woohoo!