He is Chinese, married a German-Korean woman, lives in New York – and deals with the music of France on his new release. We’re talking about the pianist Lang Lang. The first part of the new double CD is dedicated to the compositions of Camille Saint-Saëns.
The album opens with his famous cycle “Carnival of the Animals” in the original version for two pianos and orchestra. The recording has become a family affair for the 41-year-old: he is joined on the second piano by his wife Gina Alice Redlinger, who, together with her husband, forms an elegantly sparkling unit. The two are accompanied by the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig under Andris Nelsons. CD1 is completed with Saint-Saëns’ second piano concerto.
On the second CD, Lang Lang dedicates himself to other French composers. He has managed to create an attractive mix: he juxtaposes very well-known male artists such as Ravel, Fauré, Delibes and Debussy with the works of much less well-known French women.
Of the five French composers who conclude the double album, Lili Boulanger (1893–1918) is the most famous. The piano works by Charlotte Sohy (1897–1955), Louise Farrenc (1804–1875), Mélanie Bonis alias Mel Bonis (1858–1937) and Germaine Tailleferre (1892–1983) are significantly less prominent and rarely played in this country. Wrongfully so – as Lang Lang proves.
With his new release, he closes two gaps for German classical music fans: On the one hand, French composers are still underrepresented in concert life. The pianist, who was born in Shenyang in 1982, has fulfilled a dream: “I always wanted to record French music,” he tells the DPA. “The new album shows a completely different side of me.”
On the other hand, the classical music scene is still a long way from true equality. The fact that Lang Lang has chosen five female composers is a first step. He is also willing to share the spotlight with a woman – his wife. In doing so, he paves the way to a little more equality. This benefits the music: Lang Lang sounds more balanced and relaxed than it has for a long time.
“Saint-Saëns” will be released on March 1st by Deutsche Grammophon
