Lang Lang plays Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (Horowitz/'Bugs Bunny' arrangment)

bamdrewsays...

... maybe skip to 4min in if you're pressed for time, though the build-up is part of the ride.

I saw Lang Lang in concert a few years back, and he is by far the most talented musician I have ever seen, on TV or in real life. Just incredible to witness, independent of your attitude for or against classical music (I saw him the same week as The Dillinger Escape Plan and The Locust, two hardcore bands, but I digress...). I've never seen a more truly emotionally expressive classical musician, thats for sure.

Described as a prodigy's prodigy, started playing at age 2, at age 4 he practiced four hours a day for the fun of it.

Even this somewhat crummy video captures a taste of what his powerful performances are like.

chrismearsays...

Well, he can certainly sway and throw his arms about, but that's one of the most artistically unsubtle performances I've ever witnessed. It's a shame that showboaters like this get all the attention, when there are many more technically and artistically talented pianists out there.

bamdrewsays...

I respect your opinion, chrismear. And its true that he can be at times distractingly expressive with the rest of his body. However, this is Horowitz 'show-off' transcription of Franz Liszt's already virtuoso-level piece... a work that practically beats you over the head with its incredibly massive, exaggerated mood changes. Lang Lang was a technical perfectionist at age 15, and now the only direction for him to go is the direction that he feels the music speak.

When I saw him, he played a number of more subtle, less flashy pieces, but was sure to include pieces that the crowd knew and pieces like this that were full of virtuoso flourish. If you get the chance to see him, you have to have a pretty big stick up your ass not to enjoy yourself.

That said, one member of my group when I saw Lang Lang was a visiting scholar of Debussy, and he wondered when he'll stop exploring his own ideas enough to play Debussy and Rachmoninov like everyone else...

Send this Article to a Friend



Separate multiple emails with a comma (,); limit 5 recipients






Your email has been sent successfully!

Manage this Video in Your Playlists




notify when someone comments
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
  
Learn More