Chopin: The Piano Concertos

 (17 customer reviews)

It's startling to read in the product description that Lang Lang has sold only 100,000 CDs in the U.S., despite his sold-out concerts and mass popularity. (Perhaps downloads account for the small disc sales.) On the four occasions that I've heard him, I was impressed by his sensitivity in Chopin, not to mention his overall command of touch and technique. At heart I think Lang Lang is a lyrical player, and although he can sound like a fish out of water when it comes to traditional German style, Chopin affords a lot of personal leeway (this latitude has also benefited his compatriot Yundi Li).

The Chopin performances on this CD will not suit anyone looking for extravert fireworks and nervous energy a la Argerich, or for the noble command of Michelangeli and Pollini. Zubin Mehta establishes a conventional framework that isn't high in energy, and the soloist enters Concerto #2 in a ruminative mood. Despite the ease of his passagework, Lang Lang phrases almost with hesitancy...Read more

I absolutely love these recordings. I saw Lang lang in live performance of Chopin piano concerto no 1 in San Francisco in 2008, and have been looking for his recordings ever since. Both the live performance and the recordings touched my heart with the poetic and unique interpretation of these well-known pieces. He really brings out the beauty of each note with such artistry, making the audience savor every moment.

This Chopin Concerto offering by Lang Lang is beuatiful. Both Meta and Lang Lang have a vision of beuaty that is subtle and sauve. The recording needs to be listen to several times, at the first listening the rubatos may seem bit extreme, but if you listen very closely, you will hear a marvelous left hand that is steady as rock, with right hand bel canto filigree that can melt your heart. Lang Lang tone is golden, and Metha keeps the Orchestra from overpowering piano. There are many great recordings of the Chopin Concetos, and Lang Lang's offering is a fine addition.