So uhhh..., what do you guys think of Lang Lang's performance at the Grammys?

[theholygideons]

So, how would you rate Lang Lang's choice of repertoire and the musicality of his interpretation...lol?! The new direction he's taking this year certainly suits him, he feels right at home. 

[awesom_o]

I think Metallica kind of sucked and the song they did was some pretty weak-ass sauce... but I was actually pretty impressed by how Lang Lang handled being so far out of his usual comfort zone.

[pianistaw]

Yeah I was thinking about bashing Lang Lang on Metallica's Facebook page, but no metal listener would have understood really how shitty he is...it's kind of a insider pianist thing. (I realize that there are those that like him... )

Back to the topic...what the hell was he thinking when he accepted the gig with Metallica, that's just too much  

[theholygideons]

I would have actually enjoyed it, if it wasn't for the shrill timbre of the piano and its lack of amplification, being drowned behind all the heavy metal vocals and instruments. Perhaps a piano with lacquered up hammers, with a thunderous bass, i.e. horowitz' piano, together with a more percussive tone would fare better in accompanying that particular genre of music Metallica specialises in.

[ranniks]

Yeah I was thinking about bashing Lang Lang on Metallica's Facebook page, but no metal listener would have understood really how shitty he is...it's kind of a insider pianist thing. (I realize that there are those that like him... )

I play the piano and am therefore a pianist, not a concert pianist, but a pianist.

So when you're saying 'how shitty he is', I really get annoyed. Firstly because you are obviously not even in Lang Lang's league; he was probably better than you are now when he was 10-13. He'd obliterate your piano playing from Barok to Post-War style, from Bach to Rzweski.

As a listener you're entitled to your own opinion; but you're not just a listener, you're also a musician. And for a musician to say someone the likes of Lang Lang to be 'shitty', well it only really defines your bad character.

Lang lang is up there with Yundi Li and Valentina Lisitsa. Sure he's no Gould, Horowitz or Kissin, but he's definitely top class.

[perfect_pitch]

Lang lang is up there with Yundi Li and Valentina Lisitsa.

No offense, but don't even THINK of comparing Lang Lang to Valentina Lisitsa... Lisitsa doesn't cheapen herself by playing Metallica, and doesn't let theatricality ruin her performances.

BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

[theholygideons]

No offense, but don't even THINK of comparing Lang Lang to Valentina Lisitsa... Lisitsa doesn't cheapen herself by playing Metallica, and doesn't let theatricality ruin her performances.

BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

puuhhleaseee..., Valentina Lisitsa's playing is completely lackluster and rubato-ridden, I have no idea why people listen to her . Lang Lang's attempting to bridge the gap between classical music and the popular crowd. In this case, He's not trying to cheapen himself through theatrics, since heavy metal is a different genre of music and art. 

[pianoman53]

No offense, but don't even THINK of comparing Lang Lang to Valentina Lisitsa... Lisitsa doesn't cheapen herself by playing Metallica, and doesn't let theatricality ruin her performances.

BIG DIFFERENCE!!!

No, she ruins her performance by getting up on a stage and play the piano.

[muntjack]

No, she ruins her performance by getting up on a stage and play the piano.

lol!

[pianistaw]

I play the piano and am therefore a pianist, not a concert pianist, but a pianist.

So when you're saying 'how shitty he is', I really get annoyed. Firstly because you are obviously not even in Lang Lang's league; he was probably better than you are now when he was 10-13. He'd obliterate your piano playing from Barok to Post-War style, from Bach to Rzweski.

As a listener you're entitled to your own opinion; but you're not just a listener, you're also a musician. And for a musician to say someone the likes of Lang Lang to be 'shitty', well it only really defines your bad character.

Lang lang is up there with Yundi Li and Valentina Lisitsa. Sure he's no Gould, Horowitz or Kissin, but he's definitely top class.

Wow. Firstly, calm down.

I never insulted you, no need for you to insult me. Or at least try.

Of course I understand that I am not at the same level as LL, not even close! I don't need you to tell me that. But just because I am not as good as him doesn't take away my right to have an opinion about him.

I am just comparing him with the greats. I think you know that he is nowhere near their artistry. Neither am I, I am most probably light years away from even calling myself great. But I am not bad.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against you. As long as you respect that I have something against him.

[ranniks]

Wow. Firstly, calm down.

I never insulted you, no need for you to insult me. Or at least try.

Of course I understand that I am not at the same level as LL, not even close! I don't need you to tell me that. But just because I am not as good as him doesn't take away my right to have an opinion about him.

I am just comparing him with the greats. I think you know that he is nowhere near their artistry. Neither am I, I am most probably light years away from even calling myself great. But I am not bad.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against you. As long as you respect that I have something against him.

Well, the thing is, you didn't directly insult me, but you did non the less. This is what you said as well as saying that LL is 'chitty':

(I realize that there are those that like him... Roll Eyes )

The '...' and the 'Roll eyes' irked me.

It's that I'm getting tired of so many people criticizing LL for no apparent reason than that he is eccentric in his way of moving around the paino/playing it. I can admit that some of his renditions don't sound very well, but the same can be said of Gould.

I'm not usually one to attack, but more defend. And I felt that I defended LL when you called him 'shitty'. These people work their darnest in countless amounts of hours to play 5 minute pieces. Have some respect......Instead of 'shitty' you could have used something else, like 'not so good'. And instead of rolling your eyes at people that like LL, you might realize that the world rarely has identical people who like exactly what the other likes too.

And if I have hurt your feelings (which has been done to me countless times in the past), then I am sorry for only that. But your statement about LL is still ridiculous.

Now if you said the same about Yuja Wang I might have just said nothing, lol.

[pianistaw]

Well, the thing is, you didn't directly insult me, but you did non the less. This is what you said as well as saying that LL is 'chitty':

The '...' and the 'Roll eyes' irked me.

It's that I'm getting tired of so many people criticizing LL for no apparent reason than that he is eccentric in his way of moving around the paino/playing it. I can admit that some of his renditions don't sound very well, but the same can be said of Gould.

I'm not usually one to attack, but more defend. And I felt that I defended LL when you called him 'shitty'. These people work their darnest in countless amounts of hours to play 5 minute pieces. Have some respect......Instead of 'shitty' you could have used something else, like 'not so good'. And instead of rolling your eyes at people that like LL, you might realize that the world rarely has identical people who like exactly what the other likes too.

And if I have hurt your feelings (which has been done to me countless times in the past), then I am sorry for only that. But your statement about LL is still ridiculous.

Now if you said the same about Yuja Wang I might have just said nothing, lol.

Alright, I confess it was a bit harsh. Let me rephrase: I think that he is not so good.

Better? 

Oh and about Wang...I think everything she plays is not shitty...or 'not so good' but sometimes I rather enjoy her playing.

But like you said, everyone is different. 

[briansaddleback]

I play the piano and am therefore a pianist, not a concert pianist, but a pianist.

So when you're saying 'how shitty he is', I really get annoyed. Firstly because you are obviously not even in Lang Lang's league; he was probably better than you are now when he was 10-13. He'd obliterate your piano playing from Barok to Post-War style, from Bach to Rzweski.

As a listener you're entitled to your own opinion; but you're not just a listener, you're also a musician. And for a musician to say someone the likes of Lang Lang to be 'shitty', well it only really defines your bad character.

Lang lang is up there with Yundi Li and Valentina Lisitsa. Sure he's no Gould, Horowitz or Kissin, but he's definitely top class.

Thanks I am in agreement with you.

 I personally enjoy Lang Lang's performances and his stylistic or overly stylistic approach to performance .. A thing about him I thoroughly like about him is his sincerity. He truly enjoys and feels his music flowing through him . I believe his performance style is not merely an act but who he really is as a musician. I have seen countless teaching sessions on him with students and he is the same way. Love his enthusiasm and sincere passion for all kinds of music.

Mostly what I respect about him , he gives back to children a lot. Promotes lot of service and organized functions for spreading music and art for children and he spends ample time in that arena. Not just performance.

[gore234]

I love heavy metal and classical piano.  Metallica is one of my favorite bands and Lang Lang is one of my favorite pianist.  I thought Metallica's performance at the grammy wasn't their best but When you do something new and do it live, its not going to come out how you want it to all the time.  I thought Lang Lang's performance was pretty good but the piano tone didn't quite go well with the rest of the overall sound.  I think if we all were there live seeing it in person, we would all like it better.  They were pleasing the crowd and the masses.

I don't think we should bash and hate on them.  At least the performance didn't include Justin Beiber or Miley Cyrus.  I feel that the Heavy Metal genre has many talented musicians who once were classically trained and are influenced by Classical music. 

[perfect_pitch]

puuhhleaseee..., Valentina Lisitsa's playing is completely lackluster and rubato-ridden

Because she's far better than Lang Lang for goodness sake.

No, she ruins her performance by getting up on a stage and play the piano.

You realise I can no longer take either of you seriously now.

[oxy60]

Lang Lang was the bright spot of the night. The entire show has so many mistakes in staging, sound, etc., that I don't know where to start. We always watch those shows from our recordings so we can FF through the bad spots.

[pianoman53]

Because she's far better than Lang Lang for goodness sake.

You realise I can no longer take either of you seriously now.

Well, if you enjoy her lack of poetry and color, then I have some problems in taking you seriously as well.

[perfect_pitch]

Well, if you enjoy her lack of color...

Oh come on - compared to Lang Lang - she's a bloody RAINBOW against a monochrome wall!!!



(The Monochrome wall being symbolic for Lang Lang, if you didn't get the gist of it).

[pianoman53]

She is more an old black and white movie, where even the black starts do go greyish.

Lang Lang is obviously a show-off, who plays music for completely different reasons than what I aim for. But I go to his concerts (With my eyes closed) rather than with Lisitsa, any day of the week.

[theholygideons]

Valentina Lisitsa is all technique and no imagery. I think it's fair to say that without youtube, she wouldn't be as famous. I don't see anything unique in her playing, just quite a confined and limited approach to music. The only sound she intends to produce is a beautiful tone, which isn't all what music is about. When i hear her appassionata, i sense no angst nor passion. At least Lang lang gives us a glimpse of what the piece is actually about

[perfect_pitch]

You know what... I'm done with this thread. I'm not going to argue about anything so stupid as Lang Lang...

[theholygideons]

You know what... I'm done with this thread. I'm not going to argue about anything so stupid as Lang Lang...

Harhar, Great success!!!

[pianoman53]

You know what... I'm done with this thread. I'm not going to argue about anything so stupid as Lang Lang...

It's funny. If we say Lisistsa is uninteresting, it's outrageous, and you quit. Though, if you say Lang Lang is stupid and a bring wall, it's okay.

Lisitsa is ovbiously famous, and doing well (at least money-wise, he he). Are you really that fragile, so that you honestly think that she needs our approval?

[ranniks]

You know what... I'm done with this thread. I'm not going to argue about anything so stupid as Lang Lang...

I'm going to quote myself:

I play the piano and am therefore a pianist, not a concert pianist, but a pianist.

You are obviously not even in Lang Lang's league; he was probably better than you are now when he was 10-13. He'd obliterate your piano playing from Barok to Post-War style, from Bach to Rzweski.

Lang lang is up there with Yundi Li and Valentina Lisitsa. Sure he's no Gould, Horowitz or Kissin, but he's definitely top class.

[pianoman53]

Ranniks, read a bit more than just what you quoted, and you'll see that your reply is a bit off. And btw, what is this idea to only be allowed to criticise people who are worse than oneself? It's a really stupid idea.

[ranniks]

Ranniks, read a bit more than just what you quoted, and you'll see that your reply is a bit off. And btw, what is this idea to only be allowed to criticise people who are worse than oneself? It's a really stupid idea.

How is my reply a bit off? He's saying he doesn't want to discuss something so stupid as Lang Lang. That imples he thinks Lang Lang is stupid. Now if he said, I don't want to discuss anything so stupid as the doubt of Lang Lang's abilities, then I would have understand.

And it's not the fact that people can't criticize others who are worse than they are. It is a matter of people who practise the piano and know by first hand how hard it is to play the divine device, and still have the nerve to say how bad a well know, successful pianist like Lang Lang is.

My doctor said that you can't read into people's minds and know what they are thinking, so when people say that LL does this and so and whatever, it may be entirely positively true that their musings are wrong.

[hfmadopter]

I have no gripe with Lang Lang but absolutely have no liking for heavy metal at all. Once I saw that is what the recording is about, I didn't bother listening to it !

Ever watch the Lang Lang documentary ? He was a little not wealthy kid growing up with a dream and pretty much just his parents behind him, that came from the back rows of competitions and has made it big in life in a place where most could not make it in this way. I watch him play, I listen and each time I say good for you kid. No I don't like some of his expressions but he does good things in life, now opening his academy teaching others who maybe won't have to struggle in quite the same way as he did coming up. The big thing to me, he stuck it out with his path and he succeeded. I believe he was meant to be and meant to be doing exactly what he he is doing. I can't take that away from him or anyone else in their own lives. Now that he has messed with heavy metal, I guess I can say that I don't care for all the music that he performs. So be it, my picture of him is that he came from nobody to be world famous, you don't do that without one hell of a lot of work and sacrifice.

[gore234]

If you say you don't like heavy metal, why not try listening to progressive symphonic metal bands such symphony x, dream theater or bands such as Nightwish who incorporate opera technique.  Some of todays heavy metal music actually takes more skill to play than some classical pieces believe it or not. The band Blotted Science uses 12 tone rows and atonality in their music.  My favorite guitarist is Jeff Loomis which I highly recommend checking out. As far as guitar music is concerned, progressive metal is the genre that is taking the playing level and technique to the next level.  I personally believe if Mozart, Beethoven, or Liszt were born today, they would love heavy metal music.  Of course a lot of heavy metal bands out there don't sound that great and there are several subgenres which can sound totally different to a trained listener.  I could write 10 pages about it lol.

[ranniks]

I agree with David mostly.

[thomasshiraza]

Lang Lang is an absolute disgrace to pianists today. And it sickens me when i hear him treat the composers that i respect so much. I really dont think he's fitted for classical, romantic, and specially  baroque. I dont have anything against his personality, in fact i like his campaigns and everything like that....But please, dont support the guys playing. He needs to remind himself that he is a Pianist and not a entertainer

If you want to listen yourself go ahead.

[stevensk]

puuhhleaseee..., Valentina Lisitsa's playing is completely lackluster and rubato-ridden, I have no idea why people listen to her . Lang Lang's attempting to bridge the gap between classical music and the popular crowd. In this case, He's not trying to cheapen himself through theatrics, since heavy metal is a different genre of music and art. 

-Well if Meal is a genre of art is douptful in my view

[stevensk]

No, she ruins her performance by getting up on a stage and play the piano.

-So.. you can teach her to playing piano i presume?