Review - Lang Lang: Bringing Character to Tradition

| 1 Comment

langlang.jpg

Lang Lang was in town last week. On Friday March 13th, I headed to Place des Arts to attend Lang Lang's recital. Having had the opportunity to see him three years ago, I was eager to witness once again his world-renowned piano skills. In a day and age where pop music is put in the spotlight, it is pleasant to find oneself immersed in sounds that have transcended time and carved their place in the history of music. The modern edge of this recital has to do with the performer who by his twenties was already being praised as one of the best contemporary pianists in the world.

Lang Lang, now 32 years old, has been playing piano since the age of 3. As a teenager, his performances were selling out worldwide, city after city. He has been continuously praised for his mastery of the piano and faultless renditions. Put in the limelight for his musical talent, he gained popularity by performing along other artists and also playing for important events, such as the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. His social involvement has expanded outside music halls. He has been involved with the United Nations as messenger of peace, and in 2008, he started the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. His organization creates outreach programs to connect to young audiences, with the goal of inspiring future generations of musicians. He has infused a breath of fresh air in the classical music scene by sharing his talent with the world and motivating others to do the same. Montreal, known for its musical diversity by being the home of great music festivals such as the Jazz Festival and Mutek, gave him a warm welcome with a week of sold out concerts. Lang Lang performed with the OSM for three consecutive evenings and gave a Shulich Masterclass at McGill, which also sold out. His recital was the pièce de résistance of his passage in Montreal, as he performed unaccompanied to a full house.

The eagerness of the crowd was palpable as spectators took seat in the beautiful Montreal Symphony House, an architectural feat inaugurated in 2011, which has a capacity of 1,900 seats. The room, specifically built as a music hall, is suspended to avoid the ground from affecting the clarity of the sound, and the Quebec birch wood interior finishing was specifically chosen for its capacity to minimize echo and maximize the natural auditory resonance. An ideal venue for one of the world's greatest pianists. Lang Lang's recital consisted of Bach's Italian Concerto, BWV 971, Tchaikovski's The Seasons, OP. 37bis, as well as Chopin's four scherzos. Classic pieces seasoned listeners are familiar with... but the crowd was not here just to listen to music, they were here to witness Lang Lang.

The pianist indeed brings his own personal touch to his renditions. He is a fascinating character and his personality and individuality shines through his performances. It is mesmerizing to see his facial expressions as he feels the music. I catch myself wondering what the pieces evoke to him, since he is so well acquainted with them. He seems to sense the music, completely enthralled, and shows it like none other. It is yet another way spectators see how he truly is the human extension of his piano.

Listening to classical music is, for me, comparable to a meditation. One's mind drifts, and must constantly be brought back to the present moment. Thoughts invariably arise, taking us away from the performance and into our individual, private realms of consciousness. Closing one's eyes, the music transports us. Hearing sound coming from a real instrument, and not a recording or prefabricated synthetic tones, is a powerful experience. It is something everyone should be familiar with. It is a shame today's youth isn't exposed to it as easily as they are to pop music.

Eyes shut, one can let the musical flow take over. As captivating as the renditions were, I thought it would have been smart to put a carpet at Lang Lang's feet to diminish the impact of the sound his heels make as he frantically keeps the beat. Such extravagance is unnecessary and rather bothersome, in my opinion, since it hinders the piano's melody, which needs no percussion complement. And speaking of unneeded noise... Unfortunately, it is germ season, and many spectators did not have the grace to use cough drops or subtly clear one's throat in handkerchiefs, creating recurrent auditory interjections that made other listeners well aware they were in a room filled with almost 2000 people. Closing one's eyes and retreating to one's inner world, allowed a greater focus on the melodic talent being shared, but a public concert, remains, a public concert.

Standing ovations were given in between pieces numerous times. More established or reserved members of the audience were growling, trying to shush overly enthusiastic clappers in between segments of Tchaikovski's Seasons. Personally, I couldn't blame the fans. The performance was breathtaking and drew tears to my eyes more times than I care to admit. Applause was the crowd's way of sharing its appreciation as it felt it fit.

319814_10150837773153655_789941451_n.jpgLang Lang in the Montreal Symphony House in 2012


And appreciate, the crowd did. The ceaseless applause and acclamations led to not one but two encores. Lang Lang is known to be generous with them. The final piece, an extremely fast paced but precisely executed rendition of Chopin's Minute Waltz Op. 64 No. 1 made the room erupt in chuckles as he graced his audience with a last interpretation that really highlighted the personal touch be brings to stage. The applause was relentless, praising the innovative touch Lang Lang conveys to classical music.

More conservative music lovers grunt and hiss at Lang Lang's overt personality and individualistic touches, but I believe performers such as himself are giving a new life to classical music, helping it keep up with other music styles. It is a touch of fun and youth, to see individuality shine through pieces that are hundreds of years old. It is a beautiful way to keep the art alive. Lang Lang is but one of a series of contemporary musicians who bring their personal touch to a traditional art. I think here of the talented Yuja Wang, with her platform-heels and mini-dresses as she performs pieces that transgress the passing of time. I also think of Nigel Kennedy, famed violinist, with his Mohawk style haircut and unconventional attire.

Some believe individuality does not have its place in music halls. If many find Lang Lang to butcher classical pieces, it is mostly because their conservative edge prevents them from indulging the interpretation he brings. He is not everyone's cup of tea. However, I think seeing performers' individuality is what is needed to attract younger generations, for them to understand and appreciate classical music. I could see by the average age group of this recital that the twenty to thirty group was a feeble minority, and teenagers were practically absent. Classical music should be a part of everyone's education. Lang Lang's International Music Foundation, for example, is a way young, talented musicians are drawn to interpret complicated and timeless pieces of classical repertoires. By being inspired by celebrities of the music world, by getting a feel for the special touches individuals bring to timeless pieces, younger generations adopt a liking to classical music. There is a reason why these pieces have survived the passage of time. In our contemporary age, it should be our priority to celebrate those who can honor classical music by sharing their talent.

1 Comment

pine babyliss Bridge, adidas yeezy shoes after another ralph lauren polos difficulties, and beats by dr dre ultimately they coach outlet won. This is their pride and michael kors outlet the northface pride longchamp of our entire Chinese people! falcons nfl jersey This ray-ban sunglasses is ralph lauren a nike shoes outlet story on cheap oakley sunglasses the oakley sungalsses outlet way to michael kors outlet the bcbg max long oklahoma city thunder jerseys march - polo ralph a fourteen-year-old Red Army fighter who, fidget spinner on the jordan release dates long march, orlando magic jersey fainted swarovski jewelry by jordan hunger. At this nike time, again versace outlet to an burberry uk old Red houston rockets jersey Army, new york knicks jerseys see pandora charms the coach outlet child's nike store appearance, give the ray ban child prada irrigation cheap shoes water, nba jersey so timberwolves jersey wake up chargers nfl jersey after los angeles clippers jerseys the remaining omega watches little dry bottega veneta food true religion outlet store half of vans shoes the beats by dre headphones children to calvin klein eat, replica watches but nba shoes look at the hollisterco child is christian louboutin still full, longchamp handbags Hesitated tommy hilfiger for puma shoes a vans while, and nike shoes outlet the last little roshe run dry food to coach purses outlet the ravens nfl jersey children adidas schuhe to ray bans eat. adidas To the occhiali ray ban road, ferragamo shoes he new balance shoes let the children go first, said jimmy choo he michael kors was waiting, kate spade outlet in fact, he ray ban is true religion to michael kors outlet die, suns jersey no fred perry outlet dry food, dsquared2 outlet no michael kors water, cheap jerseys death will polo ralph lauren outlet come in his body. air max Accidentally, thomas sabo he hilfiger fell nike roshe into ferragamo the cheap nfl jerseys quagmire, spurs jersey struggling, polo ralph lauren but adidas deeper puma and hilfiger outlet deeper, ray ban sunglasses outlet but michael kors he air max 2015 still packers nfl jersey continue oakley sunglasses to kate spade encourage themselves reebok to stick air max to it, trail blazers jersey someone cheap jerseys will save him. pandora jewellery When people dsquared2 come, nike he has left christian louboutin outlet his tommy hilfiger outlet head alone. People call him, juicy couture but he long champ has nike huarache ... michael kors ... hilfiger online shop this barbour jackets is a how christian louboutin chilling nike mercurial story cheap mlb jerseys ah. In the process charlotte hornets jersey of oakley outlet online the Long ralph lauren uk March, hunger, cold, michael kors uk swamp, philipp plein outlet disease ... longchamp threatening the cheap nike shoes lives nfl jerseys of every mcm handbags Red titans nfl jersey Army officer. softball bats Do not oakley outlet eat, tommy hilfiger the air huarache mules swarovski crystal and horses to kings jersey kill; mules nike free run and stone island horses nike do polo outlet not, dig mcm handbags wild roshe runs vegetables, eat bark grass; valentino vegetables mlb jerseys eat, coach outlet online cook the ralph lauren online shop belt to michael kors eat. bengals nfl jersey Imagine, chrome hearts outlet if this fitflop generation ray ban of people if patriots nfl jersey the swarovski canada growth in that hollister clothing era, jordan retro the burberry outlet online number bottega of fred perry people vikings nfl jersey will lose hermes birkin their lives? coach outlet Looking back the north face jackets has always coachfactory.com/shop been replica handbags the wind and nike store rain, hogan shoes thousands ralph lauren factory store of miles of nike air temporary louboutin drive. If oakley black friday there is no victory of versace outlet the timberland boots Long March, hollister which coach factory outlet will timberland have ed hardy the victory of ralph lauren the War of pelicans jersey Resistance cheap jerseys Against horloges Japan? polo ralph lauren Which nike air max will true religion jeans outlet have a broncos nfl jersey new democratic victory? Which burberry outlet will be full michael kors outlet of coach factory outlet online vitality longchamp black friday of our cheap jordans vitality, ecco shoes thriving, adidas shoes to the longchamp handbags outlet prosperity nike canada of today's journey seahawks nfl jersey in the hollister last nike free century michael kors handbags 30's hermes outlet red detroit pistons jerseys march, five finger shoes Meandering burberry twenty baseball bats thousand philadelphia 76ers jersey five wizards jersey thousand oakley vault miles soccer outlet of red hogan ribbon, iphone cases with prada shoes its unparalleled celine handbags gorgeous, christian louboutin shoes dancing over the age huarache of the nike shoes outlet devastated coach outlet online Chinese eyeglass frames land, dancing oakley sunglasses outlet over adidas the wind pandora jewelry and rain cheap true religion of ray ban sunglasses the michael kors outlet online 20th bears nfl jersey century, ralph lauren elegant ralph lauren polo with marc jacobs our nation's new burberry handbags hope. The chiefs nfl jersey Red cleveland cavaliers jersey Army coach black friday Long atlanta hawks jersey March woolrich outlet twenty burberry uk thousand five north face jackets thousand, chicago bulls jerseys iron mk outlet online flow, ray ban where there nike air max is dolphins nfl jersey no beats by dre moving hermes a strong ray ban song? Red christian louboutin shoes Army michael kors across cowboys nfl jersey 11 provinces, wherever michael kors bags he jordan shoes went, burberry canada where ray ban wayfarer there nike roshe run is coach black friday no penetration omega watches of nike the oakley sunglasses outlet Red soccer shoes Army polo ralph lauren outlet online soldiers nike air max blood? new balance What oakley is nike free 5.0 the lions nfl jersey strength adidas tracksuits of the beats headphones Chinese ralph lauren outlet nation thousands air max shoes The young nike people gathered uhren together, nike roshe they know givenchy antigona that the swarovski journey is dangerous, north face but handbags outlet without fear, ralph lauren death, fought tommy hilfiger toward adidas a red bottoms goal? nike free Let us learn the air max spirit air jordans of ray ban sunglasses the Long March adidas shoes to steelers nfl jersey carry converse sneakers forward converse the spirit of nets jerseys the burberry Long pandora uk March. new balance Long burberry outlet March spirit, michaelkors.com a spirit of adidas eternal skechers shoes outlet pursuit burberry handbags outlet of rolex montre all ray ban sunglasses outlet mankind, burberry outlet will michael kors outlet continue to bucks jersey create brilliant with the miami heat jerseys Chinese children.The nike air max Red supra shoes Army mcm bags fought twenty coach outlet store thousand five north face outlet thousand 49ers nfl jersey miles, eyeglasses online and hoodies outlet finally from coach factory outlet the tn pas cher 1 saints nfl jersey million enemy mcm backpack outlet in rams nfl jersey the blaze a hugo boss online way out. giuseppe shoes To mizuno running write pandora a song barbour jackets outlet of ray ban outlet the "permanent struggle" rolex watches of longchamp outlet the revolutionary movement. air force The michael kors outlet following air max 90 is the Long ferragamo uk March spirit of mcm backpack high prada outlet school writing scarpe hogan 1000 dallas mavericks jersey words, hope converse shoes you iphone case like. The nike store little timberland outlet girl tory burch sandals naive birkenstock outlet to birkenstock ask air max 2015 his nike free run father: barbour jackets "Why did converse not ray ban black friday you jazz jersey eat supra shoes chocolate?" For oakley sunglasses cheap them, the prada sunglasses Long oakley sunglasses outlet March has air max become rolex watches a legend swarovski of denver nuggets jersey the oakley sungalsses outlet old nike factory grandmother. juicy couture outlet However, with fendi outlet the tory burch outlet passage azcardinals nfl jersey of armani exchange time, basketball shoes the kate spade outlet spirit of pandora the giants nfl jersey Long michael kors outlet March prada handbags to more swarovski and boston celtics jerseys more north face profound giuseppe zanotti charm, attracting many ralph lauren outlet online people jimmy choo shoes to texans nfl jersey the hollister Long coach outlet March designer handbags to bcbg dresses pursue, new balance outlet to longchamp outlet think. October north face backpacks 16, 1934 bills nfl jersey evening, coach outlet eight thousand raptors jersey Central Red lunette oakley Army due christian louboutin to buccaneers nfl jersey the the north face failure cheap nhl jerseys of the coach outlet online fifth anti-encirclement thomas sabo and forced to break the north face outlet westbound, began the north face the "thousands warriors jersey of miles only grizzlies jersey busy" michael kors australia the Long March. soccer shoes outlet In coach outlet usa the michael kors outlet Long March, there michael kors bags is cheap oakley a raiders nfl jersey story: oakley sungalsses outlet a Red nhl jerseys Army ray ban generals of asics outlet the michael kors uk mother, salomon when marc jacobs she burberry saw the ralph lauren soldiers colts nfl jersey who eat birkenstock the true religion outlet boiled bark, grass, hollister clothing store plus barbour jacket outlet a nfl jerseys cow instyler belt, she rolex watches for sale tears. She hollister clothing store poured retro jordans herself skechers shoes into salvatore ferragamo the browns nfl jersey pot. ralph lauren On this, eagles nfl jersey actually roshe run became philipp plein a rare meal of the soldiers watches meal. "Cowboy belt michael kors outlet online three michael kors feet nike air long, grassland dansko shoes wasteland skechers good mont blanc pens dry rolex watches food, boiled soup jaguars nfl jersey do not have new balance taste, panthers nfl jersey end jets nfl jersey to redskins nfl jersey the under armour mother oakley sungalsses outlet to flat iron taste." pacers jersey Old handbags outlet mother listening to the barbour soldiers self-sing vans "cowboy belt song", covered oakley sunglasses outlet with tears Revealing oakley vault a mbt shoes happy smile. ralph lauren outlet There was a levi's jeans grass salvatore ferragamo once, oakley sungalsses outlet a asics guards ray ban who cheap ray ban had womens clothing just michael kors outlet online sale joined nike the polo outlet online party in the chi flat iron battle, and gave a life ray ban of only 18 years old relojes in true religion jeans order to save lacoste outlet the file burberry outlet online in timberland shoes the los angeles lakers jerseys mud. When he michael kors usa

Leave a comment









Pages

Visit our community forum!



Archives

OpenID accepted here Learn more about OpenID