Talk to an audio consultant

LANG LANG - RECITAL - TANGLEWOOD *SACD*

Since his dramatic and triumphant last-minute appearance at Chicago’s RaviniaFestival (filling in for an indisposed Andre Watts) in August, 1999, 18-year-oldpianist Lang Lang has burst upon the international musical scene withunparalleled excitement and acclaim. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as one ofthe biggest and most exciting keyboard talents encountered in many a year;already performing with the world’s leading orchestras; and soon to make hisCarnegie Hall debut, this captivating young pianist has shown himself to be anartist of maturity and depth well beyond his years.

On this SACD, the virtuoso program showcases Lang Lang’s wide-ranging abilities as both amasterful technician and stylistic interpreter. Opening with a sparklingperformance of Haydn’s Sonata in E major, Lang Lang tears into the dauntingSecond Sonata of Rachmaninoff in a breathtaking performance that leaves nodoubt of his astonishing skills. The second half of the recital opens with tenderreadings of Brahms’ introspective Piano Pieces, Opus 118. A hauntingperformance of works by Tchaikovsky sets the stage for the piece deresistance: the hugely virtuosic Islamey 'Oriental Fantasy' by Balakirev.Notable for its fistfuls of notes (played by Lang Lang with complete aplomb), itwas first performed by legendary 19th-century pianist Nikolai Rubinstein. FranzLiszt played it in his later years as a means of honing his technique.

The 2001/2002 season will find Lang Lang in subscription debuts with the PhiladelphiaOrchestra under Wolfgang Sawallisch, the New York Philharmonic and NDRHamburg Symphony, both under Christoph Eschenbach, and the St. PetersburgPhilharmonic in a tour of Japan. He will also give debut recitals in London atWigmore Hall and in Paris at the Louvre.

Track Listing:

Joseph Haydn: Sonata in E Major, HobokenXVI:31

1. I. Moderato
2. II. Allegretto
3. III. Finale: Presto

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Sonata No. 2 in B-FlatMinor, Op. 36 (Revised 1931 Edition)

4. I. Allegro Agitato
5. II. Non Allegro - Lento
6. III. Allegro Molto

Johannes Brahms: Six Pieces, Op. 118

7. I. Intermezzo in A Minor
8. II. Intermezzo in A Major
9. III. Ballade in G Minor
10. IV. Intermezzo in F Minor
11. V. Romanze in F Major
12. VI. Intermezzo in E-Flat Minor

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky:

13. Dumka (Russian Rustic Scene), Op. 59
14. Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 19, No. 4

Mily Balakirev:

15. Islamey (Oriental Fantasy)