Frédéric Chopin, one of the composers featured, was a genius who transformed the piano from a percussive instrument into an operatic one, making it sing with his unique fingering.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Lang Lang's musical philosophy is to play the greatest repertoire by the greatest composers, believing audiences will follow without needing to 'dumb down' the program.
Interpretation
Lang Lang learned the 'Appassionata' Sonata from recordings and teachers like Gary Graffman, Christoph Eschenbach, and Daniel Barenboim, who made him work on it for many years.
Performer Biography
Lang Lang, a pianist still in his twenties, plays to more people annually than his predecessors did in a lifetime, thanks to his energy and embrace of technology.
Historical Context
Beethoven's 'Appassionata' Sonata was conceived against the backdrop of war, with French forces occupying Austria, leading Beethoven to decline an invitation to perform for French officers.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded live in February 2010 at the Musikverein in Vienna, a concert hall Lang Lang considers iconic alongside Carnegie Hall.
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