Playing time – 24 minutes.
This is a world premiere recording of a new work by acclaimed English composer Nigel Hess, commissioned by HRH The Prince Of Wales, and dedicated Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. The concerto received its first concert performance in late 2007, with Lang Lang as the soloist, and was recorded for this release shortly after.
4th August 2008 would also have been the 108th birthday of the late Queen Mother, who was born on this date in 1900.
Nigel Hess is best known for his TV and Soundtrack work, and his credits in this field include the soundtracks to Ladies In Lavender and An Ideal Husband. This concerto is a lush, romatic work with echoes of the English compositional tradition as well as the lush orchestration and virtuoso piano soloing of Rachmaninov.
Lang Lang is one of the most successful pianists in the world today, and 2008 is a particularly key year for him, as he will perform at the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics in August.
In addition to the exposure the Olympics performance will give him, Lang Lang also appears at his own BBC Prom recital on August 31st.
This release will be given wide coverage by the Classical Music press, with features in Gramophone, BBC Music Magazine and others already confirmed. Additionally, Classic fM and Radio 3 have recorded interviews which will air during the first week of August.
This CD is available at a special “EP” Price both to reflect the playing time and to provide an accessible introduction both to this fantastic piece of music and the artistry of Lang Lang.
“[Hess's Concerto] has three cringe-worthy movements - The Smile, The Love and The Duty. The first has faint echoes of a Scottish reel in its predictable theme, the second is cod-Rachmaninov and the finale caricatures stoicism in stern but corny chords. Parts sound like the backing for an MoD propaganda film circa 1935. Lang plays with his customary dexterity but the work does not stretch him. Christopher Warren-Green conducts the London Chamber Orchestra with as much anonymity as he can muster.” The Times, 2nd August 2008 *
“Any reservation concerning the concerto itself fades in the face of Lang Lang's vividly projected performance. He relishes every moment of the piano writing and brings the sweetest of touches to the slow movement.” Gramophone Magazine, Awards Issue 2008
