LANG LANG - Liszt - My Piano Hero | CD

To mark the birthday of composer Franz Liszt (1811-1886), pianist Lang Lang dedicates an extensive recording project to his personal hero, Liszt. The CD "Liszt – My Piano Hero" contains famous solo works, full of captivating virtuosity and poetry, such as "Liebestraum," "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2," or "La Campanella," Schubert/Liszt's "Ave Maria," and Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by a top-class ensemble: Lang Lang plays with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Valery Gergiev. Franz Liszt is Lang Lang's "Piano Hero." This famous composer and piano virtuoso, who was practically a pop star in his time, decisively influenced Lang Lang's first encounter with classical music: at the age of two, Lang Lang saw an episode of "Tom and Jerry," musically accompanied by Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2." Since then, he has regarded him as an icon of pianistic virtuosity and as an innovative composer, celebrating Liszt's 200th birthday with a CD and DVD, as well as numerous concerts. "With almost inexhaustible piano reserves, he reaches the octaves of the Piano Concerto No. 1, his sound repetitions and trills are breathtaking, the popular 'La Campanella' étude tickles and electrifies. [...] The famous 'Liebestraum' No. 3 [...] The Chinese know how to present the famous 'Liebestraum' No. 3 [...] with taste and youth, as well as the 'Galop Chromatique'..." (stereo, 12/2011) "Highly virtuoso salon music from before the invention of modern sound recordings, presented with proven quality. Liszt's First Piano Concerto, in which Lang's brilliant talents are accompanied by the Vienna Philharmonic conducted by Valerij Gergiev, sounds more serious." (Kulturnews September 11) "Much of what was said about Franz Liszt as a pianist also applies to Lang Lang: He too was already a superstar as a teenager; he is also an outstanding international concert artist who has turned the noble world of classical music upside down. On the occasion of Franz Liszt's 200th birthday, Lang Lang has recorded only works by this composer on his new CD. Whether it's a very thoughtful 'Liebestraum,' a rubato-gentle E minor novel, or Hungarian Rhapsodies: Lang Lang puts himself forward as a mature artist who has long since stopped playing for the sake of effect. Which does not prevent extremely fast demonstrations of his virtuosity. 4 stars" (Financial Times Germany, August 15, 2011) "Lang Lang dedicates his new CD to the composer born exactly 200 years ago. It's called 'My Piano Hero.' It fits. His vivid but easy-to-interpret renditions of 13 Liszt works are a heroic feat and an easy-to-hear birthday gift." (Focus, August 22, 2011) "For Franz Liszt's 200th birthday on October 22, star pianist Lang Lang has recorded some of his idol's most beautiful pieces. In the 'Paganini Études,' the keyboard magician skillfully juggles furious garlands of sound, in 'Liebestraum' he invites you to languish, and in 'Ave Maria' he touches with intimacy. For the finale, there will be the 'Piano Concerto No. 1' with the Vienna Philharmonic. That's also his best." (Hörzu, 09.09.2011, about the Liszt CD) "Brilliance springs from every note..." (Stern, September 1, 2011)