1. Allegro con fuoco ma non troppo [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
2. Adagio [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
3. Presto [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
4. Allegro [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
1. Missing Moon [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
2. Beans [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
03. Herdboy's Song [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
4. Blue Nun [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
7. Red Wilderness [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
5. Ancient Burial [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
6. Floating Clouds [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
8. Sunrain [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
Nocturne No.8 In D Flat Op.27 No.2
Reminiscences de Don Juan, S. 418 (after Mozart)
7. Tr=E4umerei [Kinderszenen, Op.15]
Horses (after pieces by Huang Hai Hwai, Chen Rao Xing and Shen Li Qun) - Arr. by Lang Lang and Lang Guo-ren
Liebestraum No.3 in A flat, S.541 No.3
This is a dazzling recital, taped live at Carnegie Hall in November 2003--complete with applause. Lang Lang's virtuosity is almost frightening: the Liszt "Reminiscenses du Don Juan" is a showpiece when played "normally." H... more »ere, Lang plays it to its extremes, with soft passages amazingly soft and subtly delineated and the bigger moments heaven-thundering. And it is played so fast, and so accurately (a cascade of notes in mid-"La ci darem la mano" sounds like a waterfall), that it leaves the listener breathless--surely just what Liszt wanted. In a Haydn sonata, Lang's classical line is impeccable, but he's not afraid to shine through the music and embellish occasionally. The Schumann "Traumerei" is suitably dreamy and hushed; Schubert's "Wanderer" Fantasy, a real crowd-pleaser, is just that--beautifully played, familiar yet fresh sounding. And an encore, with Lang's father playing a two-string fiddle called the erhu, is a fascinating look into Eastern music. There's more (this is a 2-CD set), and it's stunning--and highly recommended for all admirers of great piano playing. --Robert Levine« less
This is a dazzling recital, taped live at Carnegie Hall in November 2003--complete with applause. Lang Lang's virtuosity is almost frightening: the Liszt "Reminiscenses du Don Juan" is a showpiece when played "normally." Here, Lang plays it to its extremes, with soft passages amazingly soft and subtly delineated and the bigger moments heaven-thundering. And it is played so fast, and so accurately (a cascade of notes in mid-"La ci darem la mano" sounds like a waterfall), that it leaves the listener breathless--surely just what Liszt wanted. In a Haydn sonata, Lang's classical line is impeccable, but he's not afraid to shine through the music and embellish occasionally. The Schumann "Traumerei" is suitably dreamy and hushed; Schubert's "Wanderer" Fantasy, a real crowd-pleaser, is just that--beautifully played, familiar yet fresh sounding. And an encore, with Lang's father playing a two-string fiddle called the erhu, is a fascinating look into Eastern music. There's more (this is a 2-CD set), and it's stunning--and highly recommended for all admirers of great piano playing. --Robert Levine
"For some reason, perhaps because the publicity surrounding Lang Lang verges on hype, his Carnegie Hall recital has not been accorded universal approval. And yet, if one ignores the publicity and listens to the music, it is a remarkable display, not merely of technical brilliance but of subtle musicianship. His Schumann is exciting, vibrant and never muddy. His rendering of the Haydn Sonata in C Major is restrained and makes it sound like early Beethoven, just as it ought. His Wanderer Fantasia is not as lyrical as Rubenstein's version but its delicate articulation brings out the family resemblance with Schubert's Impromptus and the Schumann Fantasie, a category of dreamy Romanticism rather than clangorous virtuosity. The Chopin nocturne is thoroughly balanced, the rubato never obtrusive; the Liszt is suitably inspiring, giving Lang Lang a chance to show that his technique really does bear comparison with the incredible Marc Andre Hamelin. But the real pinnacle is a set of 8 gems by Tan Dun. These Memories in Watercolor by the composer of the music in Crouching Tiger deserve to be better known, and Lang Lang's is the definitive recording, receiving praise from the composer himself."
Please Be Fair
OpenMind | Ann Arbor, MI United States | 03/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First off, I concur with some of the negative reviews made on other Lang's CD's. I also feel there's much space for his maturity to burgeon. But for this, I disagree. It is almost flawless.
Isn't it ironic that some people think that classical piano-playing is different from pop music and it isn't the style that matters but they themselves have judged Lang Lang for that. If you think that his expressions are exaggerated, obviously you only cared about the style and judge a book by its cover. Also, arts isn't all about comparison. I don't see the point of comparing one pianist with another. It is not a race. You do not compare who runs faster.
Some people still repeatedly remind us of how great Horowitz and Rubinstein were ... no doubt, they're great masters who deserve ceaseless accolades. However, I could sense that some keep doing that because they still live in the past. It's time to live the present and see the world with an open eye."
Spellbinder, from delicate to thunderous
A piano teacher | Reading, PA United States | 03/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"People either love Lang Lang or hate him. I love his playing, and this is his best recording yet. The Liszt Don Juan Fantasy is his first 1000-percent blowout display on CD -- I've longed for it since seeing him live, and now here it is. The Schumann clears the air and settles the spirit. The Haydn sparkles and dances. The Wanderer Fantasy is a little reserved, but on repeated hearings I believe he has a gift not only for the gold buried in a piece, but also for the unfolding of a full evening of music. Everything sets the stage for what comes next.
Great technicians (from Barere to Horowitz to Volodos) are always accused by some of being superficial and egotistical. Hopefully Lang Lang will remain gracious and play from the heart, letting the chips fall where they may. And hopefully DGG will keep their hands off the editing console, as they thankfully seem to have done here."
This is way better than expected and my respect to LL
SoundWorld | 03/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ever since going to this concert, I've been waited so long for the album to come out. In the concert I was so impressed by his Schubert's Wonderer's Fantasy. I had yet to hear a better version.I finally got the CD and had the chance to hear all the music on there-to really hear it, meaning without being in the crazt audience and without seeing his body language. I found the CD way more valuable than I expected. The starting piece Abegg didn't impress me as much in the concert, honestly speaking, but when I listen carefully and quietly this time, I was addicted to the tone he made. The notes were as if they were falling gracefully from heaven.It just made every part of me feel so right at that moment.I had to wonder if this guy or at least his spirit was indeed from heaven.The Haydn sonata showed that Lang Lang's really capable of a wide range of repertoires. He can be very "well-behaved" without losing his own style (also shown through his Beethoven Concertos if any of you have seen him playing those). Schubert's Wonderer-fantasie was as good as expected. I find my word power too weak to describe how much I appreciate his interpretation. Liszt's Reminiscence de Don Juan might be interpreted too thick, nonetheless it is exciting and original. The entire piece is full of Lang Lang's signitures--the bold sound, the note accuracy in the technically challenging spots, the dramatic contrasts and the details. I'd almost call it "Lang Lang's Reminiscence de Don Juan", and I mean it in a good way. Of course, some might say he's not repecting the composer, but for me personally, there's too much more to listen to there that I don't even have room to think while listening. I know it's bad, but how many pianists have that power?! The softer pieces touched my heart the most. I guess one really shouldn't judge people from their appereance. I could never imagine such an apparently strong and tough guy be so sensitive to music. He has the ability to create so many different layers of colors and warmth in the tone. Even in the softest part of the music, you can still hear all those details. You just can't stop your heart from singing and melting with his music.I'd give it five stars with no doubt. Regardless of his recent backlash, I believe that he's still THE ONE to watch for! In front of his music, all the criticism seems pale and only shows one thing--he is sort of big now.This is his first solo debut album. Besides music itself, I think it's worth to collect."
Pianistic Glory at its best!!!!
Richard C. Allen | Beech Grove, Indiana | 11/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow!!
I have read several of the 'negative' reviews here and can only conclude (after viewing the DVD four times and counting) that what may be going on with these folks is something they themselves simply don't understand (about themselves!). They cannot or will not accept that here with Lang Lang, as with Evgeny Kissin (ever notice?) the world is being introduced to the next and even greater generation of pianistic virtuosos, young prodigies who can do everything that Horowitz and even Lizst ever did and more... I have no doubt those two would agree were they alive today. Karajan wept (for joy)when he heard the young Kissin perform Chopin's Fantasy in F# minor, Mehta was so taken with Kissin's performance under his baton that he could not refrain from hugging the young boy after a stellar performance... Andre Watts, not often praising his contemporaries, mused about finding the nearest bridge to jump off after hearing Kissin play realizing he was not in the same league and one other recent winner of an International Competition had to pull his car over to the side of the road, he was so taken with Kissin.... yes, I know it seems like I forgot we are talking about Lang Lang.... Lang Lang can do everything Kissin can and maybe more...Are we to believe that these aforementioned individuals are musical idiots prone to such actions?!!
Folks! accept it, embrace it and thank God for it!... just as he did when simultaneously brought Chopin and Liszt to our world in the early 1800's (they were the same age except for a year) He has now given us another Double Blast of Pianistic Glory in Kissin and Lang Lang! Pity those who can't get beyond their envy, jealously, general jadedness with life... or whatever ails them... they need help, lots of help!
As for me and many like me (BTW, it doesnt count for much but I am a pianist myself)... we are so grateful and blessed to have these 2 young men and the miracle of DVD technology to bring their concerts right into our living room!"