In Paris - 2 Cd's
By James Manheim
For all the crossover theatrics he has offered as he approaches the end of the second decade of his career, the Chinese phenomenon Lang Lang would not have continued to flourish without solid and even innovative performances of core classical repertory. Following up on his highly successful Chopin Album, Lang Lang scores again with this recording, put together over several nights at the Bastille Opera in Paris. The first part consists of the four Chopin Scherzos, and these play unmistakably to Lang Lang's athletic strengths. Consider the octave triplet passages that make up the main thematic material of the Scherzo No. 3 in C sharp minor, Op. 39. In Lang Lang's hands, these are not just muscular, but a breathtaking single gesture. There aren't many pianists who could carry that off, and better still, Lang Lang molds the gesture into different shapes as the piece proceeds. He has the musicality to carry off risky contrasts between loud and quiet, and in the bravura passages of these most virtuosic Chopin pieces he is simply gripping. Tchaikovsky's The Seasons, Op. 37, are less commonly played than the Chopin, and there are recordings less brittle and more oriented toward the work's French roots than Lang Lang's. But here again there is a remarkable combination of power and suppleness, and it would be hard to conceive of anyone being bored by his performances. Sony's engineering tends to favor the high end, which is already implicit in Lang Lang's playing and did not need any help, but this does not distort his work in this case. Highly recommended for those who loved the Chopin Album, and evidence of continuing worthwhile work from one of the world's most popular classical artists.
Tracks Listings:
Disc: 1
1. Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor, Op. 20
2. Scherzo No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 31
3. Scherzo No.3 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 39
4. Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, Op. 54
Disc: 2
1. The Seasons, Op. 37a; I. January: At the Fireside
2. The Seasons, Op. 37a; II. February: Carnival
3. The Seasons, Op. 37a; III. March: Song of the Lark
4. The Seasons, Op. 37a; IV. April: Snowdrop
5. The Seasons, Op. 37a; V. May: Starlit Nights
6. The Seasons, Op. 37a; VI. June: Barcarolle
7. The Seasons, Op. 37a; VII. July: Song of the Reaper
8. The Seasons, Op. 37a; VIII. August: Harvest
9. The Seasons, Op. 37a; IX. September: The Hunt
10. The Seasons, Op. 37a; X. October: Autumn Song
11. The Seasons, Op. 37a; XI. November: Troika
12. The Seasons, Op. 37a; XII. December: Christmas
Sol Gabetta & Bertrand Chamayou
The Chopin Album
By ClassicFM
Here is an unusual selection of pieces by Chopin, more often known solely for his piano works, as well as compositions by his close friend, the composer and cellist Auguste-Joseph Franchomme.
Argentinian cellist Sol Gabetta and the superb young pianist, Bertrand Chamayou, came up with the concept of this album together and are now touring the repertoire in Europe.
The centrepiece of the album is Chopin's 30-minute long Sonata for cello and piano in G minor – one of the rare pieces Chopin wrote for a solo instrument other than his beloved piano. It makes for striking listening. Also here is the Grand Duo concertant in E major, written jointly by Chopin and Franchomme in 1832. Gabetta and Chamayou have additionally selected one of Franchomme's Nocturnes for Cello and Piano especially for this album.
The repertoire here is little-known and somewhat unfamiliar but Gabetta performs with her trademark grace and intimacy to bring a special, heartfelt romanticism to these works, which are well worth discovering.
Tracks:
Sonata for Cello and Piano
Introduction and Polonaise brillant
Grand Duo Concertante on Themes from Meyerbeer's '
(27) Etudes, C sharp minor, Op. 25/7
Nocturnes, No. 4 in F, Op. 15/1
Nocturne
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