Carnegie Hall Live: Lang Lang Plays Bach, Schubert And Chopin

WQXR Radio | By Anastasia Tsioulcas

Published May 29, 2012 at 9:02 AM EDT

1 of 7 — Long famous for his flash and dazzle at the keyboard, pianist Lang Lang gave a surprisingly introspective concert of Bach, Schubert and Chopin at Carnegie Hall on May 29, 2012.

Long famous for his flash and dazzle at the keyboard, pianist Lang Lang gave a surprisingly introspective concert of Bach, Schubert and Chopin at Carnegie Hall on May 29, 2012.

Melanie Burford for NPR

2 of 7 — A peep from backstage at Carnegie Hall.

A peep from backstage at Carnegie Hall.

Melanie Burford for NPR

3 of 7 — About 120 spectators sat onstage with Lang Lang during this performance.

About 120 spectators sat onstage with Lang Lang during this performance.

Melanie Burford for NPR

4 of 7 — Lang Lang says that part of what has drawn him to the Schubert is the spaces between the notes.

Lang Lang says that part of what has drawn him to the Schubert is the spaces between the notes.

Melanie Burford for NPR

5 of 7 — The irrepressibly congenial pianist is said to be personally responsible for some 40 million Chinese children having taken up the study of Western classical music.

The irrepressibly congenial pianist is said to be personally responsible for some 40 million Chinese children having taken up the study of Western classical music.

Melanie Burford for NPR

6 of 7 — Lang Lang ended the announced program with Liszt favorites: the Romance S. 169 and "La Campanella."

Lang Lang ended the announced program with Liszt favorites: the Romance S. 169 and "La Campanella."

Melanie Burford for NPR

7 of 7 — Lang Lang acknowledges the New York audience's enthusiastic response.

Lang Lang acknowledges the New York audience's enthusiastic response.

Melanie Burford for NPR

PROGRAM:

BACH Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major, BWV 825

SCHUBERT Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960

CHOPIN Twelve Etudes, Op. 25

LISZT Romance, S. 169

LiSZT Grande Etude de Paganini, S. 141 "La Campanella"

Hovering just on the edge of turning 30, Lang Lang has to be acknowledged as the most famous classical pianist on the planet. Popular legend has it that this one player and his mind-blowing success have spurred tens of millions of Chinese children to learn the piano (an idea bolstered by a ten-part video series on his website called "The Lang Lang Effect").

What Lang Lang is best known for is the sonic fireworks he brings to his performances. He often favors big, bold music with outsized verve, whether it's Rachmaninov or new turns on Chinese folk songs. But in this concluding concert of Carnegie Hall's 2012-13 season, Lang Lang turned his attentions to some more introspective compositions: Bach's Partita No. 1 in B-flat Major, BWV 825; Schubert's Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960; and Chopin's 12 Etudes, Op. 25.