Chopin: The Piano Concertos

Lang Lang (Artist), Chopin (Composer), Zubin Mehta (Conductor), Vienna Philharmonic (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic
• Conductor: Zubin Mehta
• Composer: Chopin
• Audio CD (September 9, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B001BWQVT0
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,097 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Washington Post
"Lang Lang is a phenomenon, no doubt about it."

Product Description
The long-awaited and highly anticipated recording of Lang Lang performing Chopin's Piano Concertos nos. 1 & 2 has arrived. Both concertos are among the most beloved in the repertoire and Lang Lang's many concert performances frequently receive the highest praise. Lang Lang is joined by Zubin Mehta and the Vienna Philharmonic in a brilliant pairing of talent and temperament. This is sure to become a benchmark recording of these beloved concertos. Lang Lang has sold over 100,000 CDs in the US alone and will be on tour September to November throughout the US, including many performances of the Chopin concertos.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful playing, but the overall feeling is dull and lacking in brio, September 9, 2008

By	Santa Fe listener - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

It's startling to read in the product description that Lang Lang has sold only 100,000 CDs in the U.S., despite his sold-out concerts and mass popularity. (Perhaps downloads account for the small disc sales.) On the four occasions that I've heard him, I was impressed by his sensitivity in Chopin, not to mention his overall command of touch and technique. At heart I think Lang Lang is a lyrical player, and although he can sound like a fish out of water when it comes to traditional German style, Chopin affords a lot of personal leeway (this latitude has also benefited his compatriot Yundi Li).

The Chopin performances on this CD will not suit anyone looking for extravert fireworks and nervous energy a la Argerich, or for the noble command of Michelangeli and Pollini. Zubin Mehta establishes a conventional framework that isn't high in energy, and the soloist enters Concerto #2 in a ruminative mood. Despite the ease of his passagework, Lang Lang phrases almost with hesitancy. The slow movement of #2 is sung gently, and here his phrasing seems just right in its balance of simplicity and freedom. The waltz finale feels too restrained, however, and lacks brio and spring.

Concerto #1 is deservedly more popular, but I wish Mehta didn't start out sounding so uninvolved. Lang Lang's playing is also too relaxed, lovely as it is. Not every note should sound like a raindrop. The slow movement of #1 is hushed but loses tension as it goes along. Keeping the line taut at such a soft volume is difficult. Heard as pure playing, however, Lang Lang again shows how nuanced his touch is. The finale is marked Rondo vivace, and one wishes for a lot more vivaciousness here. Only in the development section does the soloist find reserves of power and depth that make you pay attention.

In all, this doesn't sound like a young man's Chopin to me, and Mehta's dull accompaniment can't be the only reason.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I had higher expectations...somewhat disappointed., June 8, 2009

By	J. C. A. Reiss (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We recently heard Lang Langplaying life in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam together with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, one of the two concerto's.
That was an experience, so much different from what I hear on this recording!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Chopin, May 31, 2009

By	HarryJames - See all my reviews

This Chopin Concerto offering by Lang Lang is beuatiful. Both Meta and Lang Lang have a vision of beuaty that is subtle and sauve. The recording needs to be listen to several times, at the first listening the rubatos may seem bit extreme, but if you listen very closely, you will hear a marvelous left hand that is steady as rock, with right hand bel canto filigree that can melt your heart. Lang Lang tone is golden, and Metha keeps the Orchestra from overpowering piano. There are many great recordings of the Chopin Concetos, and Lang Lang's offering is a fine addition.