The music of Chopin has accompanied Lang Lang throughout his career, and now, in his 30th-birthday year, Lang Lang records his first album entirely devoted to his music.
The Chopin Album – Lang Lang’s third album for Sony Classical – includes a selection of Chopin’s best loved and most recognisable piano muisc, including the ever-popular “Minute” Waltz, and the Études, which Lang Lang made his renowned Beijing Concert Hall recital with at the tender age of 14.
Included with the Deluxe Limited Edition CD is a bonus DVD in which Lang Lang explains how Chopin has been a close companion. The video contains archive footage of Lang Lang playing Chopin, with excerpts from his early concerts and competitions. It also includes complete performances of the Grande Valse brillante (recorded live in Vienna), the “Heroic” Polonaise (recorded at Berlin’s Berghain Club), and the “Black Keys” Étude in G-flat major (recorded at London’s Roundhouse during the 2011 iTunes Festival).
Chopin: 12 Études, Op. 25
No. 1 in A-flat Major
No. 2 in F Minor
No. 3 in F Major
No. 4 in A Minor
No. 5 in E Minor
No. 6 in G-sharp Minor
No. 7 in C-sharp Minor
No. 8 in D-flat Major
No. 9 in G-flat Major
No. 10 in B Minor
No. 11 in A Minor
No. 12 in C Minor
Chopin: Nocturne op. 55, No. 2 in E-flat Major
Nocturne op. 55, No. 2 in E-flat Major
Chopin: Nocturne op. 15, No. 1 in F Major
Nocturne op. 15, No. 1 in F Major
Chopin: Grande Valse Brillante op. 18, No. 1 in E-flat Major
Grande Valse Brillante op. 18, No. 1 in E-flat Major
Chopin: Andante spianato & Grande Polonaise, Op. 22
Andante spianato
Grande Polonaise
Chopin: Nocturne op. post, KK IVa, No. 16 (20a), in C-sharp Minor
Nocturne op. post, KK IVa, No. 16 (20a), in C-sharp Minor
Chopin: Waltz op. 64, No. 1 in D-flat Major
Waltz op. 64, No. 1 in D-flat Major
February 2013
****
“For the most part the playing is warm and communicative, beautifully shaped, luminously projected and boldly coloured - probably too bold and luminous for those who prefer more aristocratic refinement and reserve in their Chopin but without the exaggerated, showy style so many have found off-putting.”
November 2012
“[Op. 25] No. 1 establishes the pianist's beautifully modulated sonority along with the kind of affettuoso gestures his critics love to hate...It's ironic how Lang Lang's most interesting playing occurs when he attempts to 'interpret' the least. Sony's resplendent, seductively resonant engineering deserves the highest praise.”
April 2013
“Overall, there is more maturity and emotional investment than I expected from the performer. Lang Lang’s rubato speaks of a serious artistic imagination, and it produces very distinctive playing. For many a listener the effect may wear thin after a few listens, but for others this will be intoxicating.”
28th October 2012
“This album reflects his lifelong love for Chopin, and shows how fresh and individual his take can be...he delivers an exhilarating blend of poetry and power. The accompanying DVD is surprisingly amateurish, but reminds us of the god-given talent he was born with.”
26th October 2012
***
“his Grande Valse Brilliante is brilliant indeed; so are the cascading double sixths in the eighth étude in D-flat major...Lang Lang’s grin and enthusiasm are genuine: he simply loves playing his piano, communicating the joy of music. Bang Bang and glitter aside, that’s not something anyone should knock”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
No. 1 in A-flat Major
