Search - Recorded Sound, Robert Schumann, Franz Joseph Haydn :: Lang Lang Live at Carnegie Hall

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!"