Saint-Saens
“Another side of me” – New album from Lang Lang
Lang Lang: “I always wanted to record French music.” photo
© Manuel Bruque/epa/dpa
The Chinese Lang Lang is known worldwide for his extraordinary piano skills. With his new album he wants to show a new side of himself.
With his new album “Saint-Saëns” the Chinese pianist fulfills himself Lang Lang a dream. “I’ve always wanted to record French music. The new album shows a completely different side of me,” said the 41-year-old global star in an interview with the German Press Agency.
In order for his dream to come true, Lang Lang not only enlisted the support of his wife, the German-Korean Gina Alice Redlinger, but also further German support in the form of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. “Saint-Saëns” will be released on March 1st by Deutsche Grammophon.
With the Leipzig Orchestra under the direction of the Latvian conductor Andris Nelsons, Lang Lang recorded the Piano Concerto No. 2 and the “Carnival of the Animals” by Camille Saint-Saëns. Lang Lang compared the French pianist and conductor, born in Paris in 1835, to a French Bach or Mendelssohn.
In addition to his works, he also presents other French composers on his new record, including Claude Debussy (1862-1918), Léo Delibes (1836-1891), Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) and Maurice Ravel (1875-1937).
The best gift is music
According to the musician, who was born in Shenyang, China, music is the most important part of his life for him. “She calms me down, cheers me up when I’m feeling bad.” For parents, music is also the best gift they can give their children. “I see that in my son. He is so happy when he listens to music.”
In 2008, Lang Lang set up a foundation that is currently committed to early musical education in the USA, China and Great Britain. In the future, the “Lang Lang International Music Foundation” also wants to become active in Germany.
For him, Leipzig is the “holy Bach city,” said Lang Lang, who became known worldwide through his performance at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In the following years he played, among other things, at the awarding of the Nobel Prize to former American President Barack Obama, at the 60th anniversary of the throne of Queen Elizabeth II and in front of Pope Francis in the Vatican. Last year he stepped down the day after the coronation of King Charles III. and Queen Camilla at the coronation concert at Windsor Castle.
Before he goes on stage, a routine has crept in over the years, the pianist said: “For example, I always try to take a short nap.”
Lang Lang and Leipzig
The Gewandhaus Orchestra was one of his favorites, and Andris Nelsons was “one of the most important conductors ever,” Lang Lang praised Leipzig music highly. Because Nelsons is down-to-earth and extremely empathetic, Lang Lang enjoys working with him. “He supported the album with everything he had and took it to a new level together with his orchestra.”
On March 16th, Lang Lang will also be a guest in Leipzig during his tour in Germany. Further concerts are planned in Stuttgart and Frankfurt am Main, among others.