MMM | Lang Lang at Carnegie Hall

17 NOV 2024: Praised as a virtuoso magician of the keys from China, with the potential to turn the classical world upside down.

Lang Lang chose a wide-ranging program for his solo debut in 2003. After a more classical first half with works by Robert Schumann and Joseph Haydn, he interprets the Chinese composer Tan Dun after the intermission, finally culminating with Franz Liszt's Don Juan Fantasy.

Throughout his playing, hardly any pianist is as close to his audience as Lang Lang. His expressive body language anticipates the mood of the compositions. "He makes it easy for the audience, even those who have no idea about classical music," observes body language expert Stefan Verra.

Even as a small boy, Lang Lang is drilled to be a pianist by his father: He is to become the best piano player in the world. He is rarely allowed to see his mother so that she does not keep him from practicing. When he invites his father on stage at the end of his Carnegie Hall debut to improvise together on a Chinese folk song, one chapter of life ends – and a new one begins.

This defining moment deals with the difficult relationship between freedom and the sacrifices we make for it. It is about musical perfection and personal relationships, about virtuosity and emotions – themes that are reflected in Lang Lang's performance and in his life. Not only for Lang Lang himself, but also for his long-time companions such as conductor Christoph Eschenbach, composer Tan Dun and his teacher Gary Graffman, this concert was a magical moment. Pianist Claire Huangci has also known Lang Lang since a young age, and Bruce Liu is currently considered the new shooting star on the piano.

English series title Magic Moments of Music
Duration 43 min / 52 min
Author Lily Küntzle, Claus Wischmann
Producer Holger Preusse
Co-Producer Christopher Janssen
Production Company ZDF/Arte, sounding images
Distribution VOD / SVOD C Major