The Magic Of Lang Lang

Lang Lang (Artist, Performer), Haydn (Composer), Rachmaninov (Composer), Tchaikovsky (Composer), Mozart (Composer), Liszt (Composer), Yellow River Piano Concerto (Composer), Schumann (Composer), Lu Wencheng (Composer), Chopin (Composer), Various (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Lang Lang
• Conductor: Various
• Composer: Haydn, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Liszt, et al.
• Audio CD (February 5, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B0011Z691C
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #8 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Short Forms > Nocturnes
  • #26 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Keyboard > General
  • #28 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Sonatas > General

Editorial Reviews

Lang Lang is the world s most successful pianist, the hottest artist on
the classical music planet (The New York Times). He has an extraordinary
ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level, transcending
the classical music world and achieving a level of popularity rarely realized
by concert musicians. His talent and personality make him an ideal
ambassador for classical music and a role model for young people.
Nominated for a GRAMMY®Award for his Billboard chart-topping
recording of Beethoven s Piano Concertos 1 and 4, Lang Lang s visibility
will be at an all-time high, thanks to a live television appearance during
the 50th GRAMMY® Awards on February 10, and an unprecedented
performance on NBC s Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular, airing on
NBC February 9. For the millions of viewers who will be exposed to
Lang Lang, The Magic of Lang Lang is the recording to have, an ideal
souvenir of Lang Lang s signature tunes, beautiful classical works and
traditional Chinese folk melodies.
Remaining firmly fixed on radar screens throughout the year, Lang Lang is
the musical ambassador for China and the Olympics. In May he will embark
on a worldwide Olympic tour performing in 10 cities that have hosted
the Olympics. In August he will co-host the Olympic games on NBC,
transmitting onto hundreds of millions of television screens around the globe.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incomparable!, August 30, 2008

By 

Leroy I. Sykes (Flagstaff, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Magic of Lang Lang (MP3 Download)

I am 72 and have had the good fortune to listen to many of the great pianists "in person" at various musical venues over a lifetime. I have also developed an extensive music library over the years. Comparing artists is a waste of time and effort as each has his or her own particular strengths, weaknesses and nose grabbing abilities. I've loved the interpretations of Rubinstein, Horowitz, Lipatti, Perahia, Haskill, Cherkassky, Tanyel, Lupu, Tirino, Hess, de Larrocha, Argerich, etc. etc. This does not classify me as an expert; but only as a lover of great composition and exceptional pianistic artistry. Lang Lang is a prodigy, has exceptional technique and continues to improve with age and experience. If he does not develop any debilitating health issues, I suspect he will unfailingly become one of the pianistic giants of this century. More power to him as he provides great joy to his listeners. This album is an excellent introduction to this "incomparable" artist.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great sample of Lang Lang, February 1, 2009

By 

goodcupofcoffee (Florida, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Of Lang Lang (Audio CD)

When certain reviewers have decided that Lang Lang is Asian and therefore cannot understand western music, or that he is young, and marketed differently from other classical musicians ('the hottest artist on the classical music planet', claims the NY Times) - is it any surprise that they have nothing positive to say about the musician or his music? An unbias review can hardly be expected. I always suspected snobbery runs wild in classical music and here's proof. This is why conservatories are starting to audition students behind drawn curtains, so they are judged based solely on their playing and not their appearance.
Is it any wonder then that classical music listeners are traditionally older? And considered a little stodgy?
That's where Lang Lang comes in. He is young, personable and down-to earth. It is because of these qualities, he has drawn massive appeal amongst younger people and made classical music 'hip' again. More power to him I say!
When it comes to classical music, everyone has their own taste and preference as to how they think a piece should sound. I am not saying that I love everything that Lang Lang plays, but my preference has nothing to do with Lang Lang being a great pianist or how other people should like his music. How many pianists gets invited to play Carnegie Hall anyway?

By all means, get this album. It is a nice sample of Lang Lang's playing. Listen to it with an open mind, and enjoy!

23 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not really in the western classical tradition, March 5, 2008

By 

Michael P. Mossey (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Magic of Lang Lang (MP3 Download)

In my opinion Lang Lang isn't really playing Western classical music. For example his interpretation of Chopin's Nocture 8 might be pleasant to those who aren't intimately familiar with Chopin, but to an experienced ear it sounds rather bizarre. It doesn't feel like a coherent whole but rather a series of isolated effects with no understanding of the structure or flow of the piece. Somehow Chopin comes across sounding like New Age music. Perhaps it's a cultural thing---maybe he's playing excellent Chinese music from a Chinese perspective. I wouldn't know; I grew up in the West.