The reporter learned that the latest ** "Lang Lang: Saint-Saëns" by Deutsche Grammophon (DG) records will be released on March 1 in the form of digital, double CD, and double vinyl. Lang Lang collaborates with his wife, the young pianist Gina Alice, and the Gewandhaus Orchestra and conductor Andris Nelsons of Leipzig, Germany, to perform the most popular classical classics, the newly excavated repertoire and two large-scale orchestral works of Saint-Saëns, forming a wonderful collection of French ** selections.
It is worth mentioning that "Lang Lang: Saint-Saëns" was recorded in advanced Dolby Atmos, and listeners will have the opportunity to enjoy the version of Dolby Atmos on major platforms. At the heart of the album is Saint-Saëns' virtuoso Piano Concerto No. 2, as well as the "Grand Zoo Fantasia" for two pianos and orchestra, and the magical Carnival of the Animals. In addition, it also includes more than 10 solo piano and four-hand works, including both famous songs of the French ** era and the relics of French female composers who have been neglected.
At the ** trial meeting held in Beijing a few years ago, Lang Lang specially introduced the original intention of **. "I've always wanted to create an all-French **, at first I wanted to use the impressionist Debussy and Ravel as the core, but then I felt that I needed something more vibrant, so I thought of Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2, which I have always loved to play. In the past, I was always advised to play Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 or Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, because not everyone knew about Saint-Saëns, but I was very happy to finally have the opportunity to record Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 as the title piece. At the same time, it is also accompanied by the very familiar "Carnival of the Animals", in which "Swan", "Aquarium" and "Elephant" are popular, as well as works by Debussy, Ravel and several new composers. ”
Lang Lang decided to start "Carnival of Animals", which has intoxicated generations of young listeners and introduced millions of people to the classics, which comes from his sense of mission to guide children's listeners to appreciate the classics. "Many of us remember hearing Saint-Saëns' famous Carnival of the Animals as children. The work is full of ingenious ideas beneath the surface of joy. In a humorous way, the composer made a very real expression. ”
"Of course, it was also a wonderful thing to record this work with my wife, Gina Alice. She played the 'Elephant' section, and it was also my son's favorite song, and he liked the double bass after listening to it. For Gina Alice, this recording is a personal milestone for her. "For many years, I have been very appreciative of Nelson and his Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra," she said. It has been a privilege to work with them and I want to do my best and enjoy every moment of my collaboration. Practicing and recording this work with Lang Lang felt like a different level of communication, and I am sincerely grateful for this opportunity. ”
The recording is also a tribute to the historical ties between the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Saint-Saëns: Saint-Saëns premiered his Piano Concerto No. 2 in Paris in May 1868, followed by a second performance at the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig in October. Andris Nelsons noted that "the orchestra has a special connection and interpretation of the language of Saint-Saëns" and said that the collaboration with Lang Lang was "very fulfilling".
Lang Lang is especially grateful to conductor Nelsons, who was known as the busiest conductor in the world last year, and is now the director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig. "Nelson is a true biography of my favorite conductor Yang Songs**, and he is really very much like Yang Songs, and that emotion and dedication to art are vividly embodied. Lang Lang said.
In Germany, the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig is renowned with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Staatskapelle Dresden. "This orchestra has premiered the largest number of works by Saint-Saëns, including the symphony and two other piano concertos. The sound of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig is very recognizable, with a strong concentration and a solid when it is weak, so it is suitable for such a work. Lang Lang said.
In addition, Lang Lang is very interested in adding some popular solo and four-hand works to **, starting with Ravel's "Pavan in Mourning for the Princess". He also recorded Saint-Saëns' Toccata, "like a rollercoaster, more exciting than the third movement of the concerto"; Faure's Pavan and Requiem's "Paradise Sutra" and "Duet of Flowers" from Delib's opera Lakmé are arranged by Emil Naumov for a four-hand ensemble, both voices performed by Lang Lang. Debussy's Suite, in which Lang Lang collaborated with Gina to record a two-piano version, described playing this evocative piece as "painting a painting".
Lang Lang: Saint-Saëns also highlights the works of five French female composers, Lily Blanger, Mélanie Bonis, Louise **Que and Germain Tayèère, which were only known in recent years. Lang Lang said, "This is the first time I have come into close contact with a French female composer. In this era, regardless of race, skin color, gender, what matters is your artistic presentation. In order to record this film, I was able to unearth these beautiful treasures and let more people know about these great female composers, and it is very gratifying to be able to share them with everyone."
It is reported that Lang Lang will continue to perform Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 during this season's tour, including the Berlin State Opera (11 March), the Berlin Philharmoniker** (12 March), San Diego (12 April), Cleveland (2 May) and Paris (12 June). He and Gina Alice will perform "Carnival of the Animals" in Paris on June 14 and "Carnival of the Animals" and "Piano Concerto No. 2" at the Rheingau Festival in Wiesbaden on July 21.
Author: Jiang Fang.
Text: Jiang Fangtu: Global**Editor: Wang YanResponsible Editor: Xing Xiaofang.
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