Let's Give Lang Lang Another Chance.........

[stenka razin]

I know how most of you feel about Lang Lang, but, on August 24th in the USA, Lang Lang's 'Live In Vienna' will be released by Sony in three different formats:

1-2 CDs
2-2 CDs+1 DVD+70 page hardbound book
3-Blu-ray

Lang Lang will play two Beethoven Piano Sonata's including the 'Appassionata'. This is his first take on LvB.
In addition, there will be three selections from Albeniz 'Iberia and the Prokofiev Piano Sonata No. 7.
In addition, there will be three Chopin encores.

Considering his 'approval' rating here, I guess he has no place to go but up...Let's
hope. The 2 CD set is selling at present for just $11. 99 at Amazon and that is definitely
going to be something I can live with. The price is right, let's hope
the pianism is 'right' also.

Your comments, my fellow CMGers?

[Chalkperson]

In that photo he looks like he's trying to balance on a Skateboard...

[Lance]

I have a copy of the two-CD set to review. It's on Sony Classical. I think DGG did a great job representing Lang Lang regardless of what one thinks of his pianism. Must be the Sony people came up with more $$$ (I forget what happened; seems like I read about it but cannot now recall). Lang Lang's discs sell pretty much like hotcakes so his presence on Sony will, I'm sure, do much to bring $$$ to the coffers.

[gperkins151]

Heard this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49KBYCja2tM

and starting here at 2:38 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFKjTJ56 ... re=related

[Wallingford]

Hey in my book the kid is alright.

I'll be sure to give it a hearing once it appears on Rhapsody.

[josé echenique]

I heard him play the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto with the USB Youth Symphony Orchestra under Belohlávek in some 15 minutes, or at least as fast as is humanly possible, and it was the most heartless, uninteresting and unmusical performance I have ever heard of that concerto.
This guy needs to hear some records of Shura Cherkassky BAAAADLY!!!!

[Chalkperson]

The Blu Ray disc is in 3D...

This recital, one of 2010’s most eagerly-awaited classical recordings, will be released in its entirety on the following multiple formats: Deluxe limited edition, Blu-ray, DVD, LP vinyl and Digital formats. For the first time Lang Lang will be performing some of the album’s repertoire in the new spectacular 3D format which will be a bonus feature on the Blu-Ray. This will include the first movement of Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata, Evocation from Albeniz’s Iberia suite, the explosive finale of Prokofiev’s Seventh Sonata and Chopin’s Heroic Polonaise. This forms part of Lang Lang’s commitment to reaching new audiences through innovative technologies, a goal he also aims to realize through his global brand ambassadorship with Sony Electronics.

[living_stradivarius]

The Blu Ray disc is in 3D...

This recital, one of 2010’s most eagerly-awaited classical recordings, will be released in its entirety on the following multiple formats: Deluxe limited edition, Blu-ray, DVD, LP vinyl and Digital formats. For the first time Lang Lang will be performing some of the album’s repertoire in the new spectacular 3D format which will be a bonus feature on the Blu-Ray. This will include the first movement of Beethoven’s Appassionata Sonata, Evocation from Albeniz’s Iberia suite, the explosive finale of Prokofiev’s Seventh Sonata and Chopin’s Heroic Polonaise. This forms part of Lang Lang’s commitment to reaching new audiences through innovative technologies, a goal he also aims to realize through his global brand ambassadorship with Sony Electronics.

Yeah you can literally feel your eardrums breaking.

[Holden Fourth]

Ugly playing - does he really understand LvB?

[absinthe]

As I understand it, his $3million deal with Sony has set him as a 'cheerleading cash cow for one of the world's greediest multinationals' (I think someone said). So I suppose he's now product.

No doubt Sony will change his name to Bling Bling (that also has sinister connections to the sound that old-fashioned cash registers made).

[slofstra]

I'll be waiting for the Yuja Wang DVD. Anyone know when that's coming out?

[maestrob]

BBC Magazine just gave the new Lang Lang recital 4 stars (out of 5).

He may be too young to give his Beethoven any real depth, but the Prokofiev should be quite good. I, for one, am willing to give the disc a shot just out of curiosity.

[Donaldopato]

Do we have to???? I'll take Yuja Wang anytime.

[Guitarist]

Let's not...

[Chalkperson]

Here he is playing The Flight of the Bumble Bee in San Francisco on an iPad...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvplGbCBaLA

What's interesting is that he's not doing it on a Piano App, it's called Magic Pianoand it can be played without any keys and you just tap away and it makes the music up based on where you hit the screen...which I find did find quite impressive...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFGshySVogw

BUT, here's Steven Hough talking and playing a Keyboard Piano App and Magic Piano...he points out that the song that was already programmed into the App, all Langy was doing was playing the Rythem correctly...the word charlatan comes to mind...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXDFeRlw ... ature=fvwp

[living_stradivarius]

BUT, here's Steven Hough talking and playing a Keyboard Piano App and Magic Piano...he points out that the song that was already programmed into the App, all Langy was doing was playing the Rythem correctly...the word charlatan comes to mind...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXDFeRlw ... ature=fvwp

Lol, they used a mockup to market the app

[Chalkperson]

BUT, here's Steven Hough talking and playing a Keyboard Piano App and Magic Piano...he points out that the song that was already programmed into the App, all Langy was doing was playing the Rythem correctly...the word charlatan comes to mind...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXDFeRlw ... ature=fvwp

Lol, they used a mockup to market the app

This song is really played on iPad's...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn4mcA-9WCE

[JackC]

With all the more talented, deeply musical people in the world who get no recognitionn because people like Bang Ban suck all oxygen out, why give Bang Bang another chance?? Instead, wouldn't it be better to reward some more serious musicians who care more about the music than whether they can be goo goo-eyed pop stars.

Some of his stuff makes David Helgott's playing sound coherent and convincing in comparison.

I mean, who cares whether in another 20 years he might be capable of giving a tolerable performance of a Beethoven sonata?

[ch1525]

I'll be waiting for the Yuja Wang DVD. Anyone know when that's coming out?

I wouldn't mind seeing her in 3D!

[Chalkperson]

I'll be waiting for the Yuja Wang DVD. Anyone know when that's coming out?

I wouldn't mind seeing her in 3D!

THere is a DVD that as just released of her playing Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto with Claudio Abbado, also on the disc is Mahler's 1st Symphony, I have not had a chance to watch it yet...

[maestrob]

I'll be waiting for the Yuja Wang DVD. Anyone know when that's coming out?

I wouldn't mind seeing her in 3D!

THere is a DVD that as just released of her playing Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto with Claudio Abbado, also on the disc is Mahler's 1st Symphony, I have not had a chance to watch it yet...

The Mahler is superb, the Prokofiev is so-so when compared to Argerich, according to BBC Magazine. I've got it on order anyway.....

[slofstra]

I'll be waiting for the Yuja Wang DVD. Anyone know when that's coming out?

I wouldn't mind seeing her in 3D!

I have and will be again next winter:

http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/Events ... d_Artists/

This will be the second time she has played in our city (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario).

[slofstra]

With regard to the Lang Lang I am curious just to see what all the fuss is about. I've downloaded some live concerts on itunes, an excellent way to enjoy a concert. But they have ZILCH from the classical world.