Track Listing

1. Applause
2. Abegg Variations, Op.1
3. 1. Allegro [Piano Sonata in C, H.XVI No.50]
4. 2. Adagio [Piano Sonata in C, H.XVI No.50]
5. 3. Allegro molto [Piano Sonata in C, H.XVI No.50]
6. 1. Allegro con fuoco ma non troppo [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
7. 2. Adagio [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
8. 3. Presto [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
9. 4. Allegro [Fantasy in C Major "Wanderer"]
10. 1. Missing Moon [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
11. 2. Beans [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
12. 03. Herdboy's Song [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
13. 4. Blue Nun [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
14. 7. Red Wilderness [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
15. 5. Ancient Burial [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
16. 6. Floating Clouds [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
17. 8. Sunrain [Eight Memories In Watercolour, Op.1]
18. Nocturne No.8 In D Flat Op.27 No.2
19. Reminiscences de Don Juan, S. 418 (after Mozart)
20. 7. Tr=E4umerei [Kinderszenen, Op.15]
21. Horses (after pieces by Huang Hai Hwai, Chen Rao Xing and Shen Li Qun) - Arr. by Lang Lang and Lang Guo-ren
22. Liebestraum No.3 in A flat, S.541 No.3

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42315 in Music
• Released on: 2004-03-02
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Subtle brilliance
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.

Spellbinder, from delicate to thunderous
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
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.