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Music : The Magic Of Lang LangBrowse or Search and Buy Online our Best Sellers Shopping Sales of Music and The Magic Of Lang Lang. Rating:  - A New Kind of 'Cross-over'Probably so, since the compilation in this CD includes quite a number of Chinese tracks. Unlike the 'Dragon Songs' or other albums of LL, this is a hybrid compilation of Western piano music and Chinese works. LL excels in the Chinese tracks. Some of the tracks are a debut release (by LL, if not universally). LL's musical upbringing starts from Chinese folk music, not 'Tom and Jerry', though he got in touch with this when he was very young. The unique musical upbringing of LL has resulted in many criticisms as well as raising many eyebrows in respect of his perfomances and interpretations. While he basically works in Western countries, he is keenly attracted to music at home, both traditional and modern. This is an unique pianist that 'cross over' from East to West in the true sense of the word. He never mimicks others. Like it or not, such efforts are destined to usher brand new ideas in 'serious' music. It is true to say that this is a revolutionary pianist, if not magical. Rating:  - Magic of Lang LangWhat a terrific gem of a CD! The compilation, arrangement and acoustical recordings are purposeful and greatly appreciable. Opening with Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody (Horowitz arrangement) is a stunning and bracing performance which I do not recall having ever heard better. Chopin and Rachmaninov pieces here are familiar but have new and subtle interpretations and they are lovely. It has been said the human vocal cord may have as many as 5000 vibrations per second and you will surely believe it when you hear the last piece featuring Andrea Bocelli along side Lang Lang's accompaniment. Brilliant. Rating:  - Magic is absentLang Lang is has an excellent technique and is exciting in live performances. If you are looking for artistry, however, look elsewhere. This record is a disappointment. Rating: - Incomparable!I am 72 and have had the good fortune to listen to many of the great pianists "in person" at various musical venues over a lifetime. I have also developed an extensive music library over the years. Comparing artists is a waste of time and effort as each has his or her own particular strengths, weaknesses and nose grabbing abilities. I've loved the interpretations of Rubinstein, Horowitz, Lipatti, Perahia, Haskill, Cherkassky, Tanyel, Lupu, Tirino, Hess, de Larrocha, Argerich, etc. etc. This does not classify me as an expert; but only as a lover of great composition and exceptional pianistic artistry. Lang Lang is a prodigy, has exceptional technique and continues to improve with age and experience. If he does not develop any debilitating health issues, I suspect he will unfailingly become one of the pianistic giants of this century. More power to him as he provides great joy to his listeners. This album is an excellent introduction to this "incomparable" artist. Rating:  - Where's the Punch Line......as in what's supposed to be funny about calling this guy the world's most successful pianist? But then, if I got in line for the punch, maybe he'd sound better. I went to my local CD shop in Berkeley to hear Lang Lang after discovering that two of my most respected reviewer/correspondents on amazon both loathed him furiously. Now I understand why. I should have suspected something when the clerk, an old friend, looked at me as if I were crazy when I asked him to play The Magic of Lang Lang on the store system. Glad I didn't order anything up front. Lang Lang has no great technique, no fast fingers, no subtle touch. And he has interpretational gifts only a pampered child at a private school recital could admire. How appropriate to find him joined for one last melodramatic encore by Andrea Bocelli, whose groaning makes Tony Bennett sound like Pavarotti. Get ready, fans! Think of something more scathing than calling me a moron, or I won't bother to answer. I don't like Dinnerstein much, either, but at least she can play sixteenth notes cleanly. A long time later - Second Thoughts... ...not about his piano technique, which isn't first rate, but about his role in marketing music to a younger audience. I read an interview of Lang Lang on NPR yesterday, during which he talked precisely about trying to recruit younger listeners to classical music in the West. According to him, most classical music lovers in China ARE young, but most of his audiences in America and Europe are a sea of gray heads. Well, as a peformer, I have to say he's right. And if he really does appeal through some charisma to younger listeners, I'll love him for it. It's not unlike the case of the Harry Potter books; they're not all that good, but if they attract children away from game boys toward books, they are very welcome. |