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Home , Italian Concerto (Bach), Lang Lang discography

PROGRAM: MARCH 20 / 8:00 PM BING CONCERT HALL

ARTIST PROGRAM Lang Lang, piano J. S. Bach: Italian in F Major, BWV 971 (pub. 1735) [Untitled] Allegro Lang Lang is managed by Andante Columbia Artists Music, LLC. 1790 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 www.camimusic.com : The Seasons, op. 37b (1875–1876) Jean-Jacques Cesbron January: By the Fireside Ronald A. Wilford February: Carnival March: Lark’s Song Lang Lang is an exclusive recording artist of April: Snowdrop . May: White Night June: Barcarolle Lang Lang’s performance is generously supported July: Reaper’s Song by Marcia and John Goldman. August: Harvest September: The Hunt October: Autumn Song November: Troïka December: Ballroom Waltz

INTERMISSION

Fryderyk Chopin: Four Scherzi (1831–1843) Scherzo No. 1 in B Minor, op. 20 (1831–1832) Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, op. 31 (1837) Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp Minor, op. 39 (1839) Scherzo No. 4 in E Major, op. 54 (1842–1843)

PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Please be considerate of others and turn off all phones, pagers, and watch alarms, and unwrap all lozenges prior to the performance. Photography and recording of any kind are not permitted. Thank you.

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JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH the First Piano Concerto, the three string of a White Night at the time of the midnight (1685–1750) quartets, and many smaller works built a wide sun. June is one of the more popular pieces ITALIAN CONCERTO IN F MAJOR, reputation. He was an industrious worker. Four from the collection. Its title, Barcarolle, comes BWV 971 (PUB. 1735) first performances have been documented from the rocking motion of its middle section. within a two-week period in March 1870 July portrays the repetitive actions of the Over a 15-year period, 1726–1741, Bach and three premieres in as many weeks in Reaper’s Song while the August Harvest is a published four collections of keyboard music, November 1875, both periods being typical showpiece requiring nimble fingerwork. Its demonstrating an extraordinary command of the pace at which Tchaikovsky worked. scherzo-like agility and the hunting calls of of the keyboard styles of the day. Annual Tchaikovsky’s need to make a living also drew September are both reminiscent of genres publications of a single partita led to Bach’s him to music criticism for the newspaper favored by Mendelssohn in his Songs without first collection, in which all six partitas—his Russkie Vedomosti and to accepting smaller Words. October mines a characteristic vein Opus 1—exhibited his mastery of the suite commissions, including a substantial quantity of melancholy in a duet between the hands. form. He titled the collection Clavierübung, of occasional music, much of which is lost. In “I continue to bake musical pancakes; today, or “Keyboard Practice.” Part Two of the January 1875 he began a monthly assignment a 10th has been tossed,” he joked to a friend. Clavierübung, containing the Italian Concerto to provide a piano piece appropriate to Rachmaninoff made the glittering sleigh bells in F Major, BWV 971, and the Overture in the month in which it was to appear in a St. of November (Troïka) one of his favorite recital the French Style, BWV 831, followed during Petersburg musical-theatrical periodical called encores. Finally, for the Christmas night ball the 1735 Easter fair. Four years later came Nuvellist. The resulting twelve short piano described in a verse by Vasily Zhukovsky, an eclectic collection of organ music. Then pieces went through several editions after Tchaikovsky provides the gentlest of waltzes. the fourth and final part of the Clavierübung their initial publication and were to become presented the as its the composer’s best-known piano music. crowning glory. The Italian Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s approach to the project seems FRYDERYK CHOPIN (1810–1849) Overture in the French Style brilliantly transfer to have been somewhat casual, with magazine FOUR SCHERZI (1831–1843) orchestral music to the keyboard, in the two editor Nikolai Bernard selecting both subtitle leading national styles of the Baroque—the and appropriate accompanying verse by a Chopin was exploring new territory when he Italian and the French. On the title page of the Russian poet. January, for example, is subtitled wrote single virtuoso scherzo movements Concerto nach Italienischem Gusto (Concerto By the Fireside, and the accompanying excerpt outside the context of the symphony and after the Italian Taste), Bach specifies the two- from Pushkin reads: “A little corner of peaceful the piano sonata. Without the framework of manual , allowing him to delineate bliss, the night dressed in twilight; the little fire contrasting sonata movements, he made a the solo line of the Vivaldi-like Italian concerto is dying in the fireplace, and the candle has point of providing contrast within the scherzo on one manual and the orchestral textures on burned out.” itself. The principle behind the four scherzi is the other (or on the two together). The Italian that of alternating dramatic and lyrical ideas. A Concerto sold well and became popular as Vremena goda, Bernard’s title for Tchaikovsky’s lively outer section often encompasses a more Bach’s only original keyboard concerto for collection, translates as “The Seasons,” lyrical middle episode, though the shape of solo instrument. One of his sternest critics, the though “The Months” might make for a each scherzo does vary. The heroic opening composer and writer Johann Adolph Scheibe, better fit. The pieces are in simple ternary chords of the First Scherzo (1831–1832) was forced to admit: “This keyboard concerto form, carefully crafted, often with surprisingly and the subsequent dynamic, scampering is to be regarded as a perfect model of a well- challenging technical demands, given their passagework seem to throw a challenge to designed solo concerto.” intention as music for the home. The music his Parisian piano rivals. The turbulence of is often inspired. The wistful middle section the work is relieved by a contrasting central of January, for example, appears to lead episode, where the young Chopin recalls his PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY directly to Tatiana’s Letter Scene from the homeland in a melody from a Christmas folk (1840–1893) opera Yevgény Onégin. February portrays an song, Lulajże Jezuniu (Sleep, Little Jesus). THE SEASONS, OP. 37B (1875–1876) exuberant carnival scene while the Lark’s Song In the opening outburst of the B-flat Minor in March is more restrained and delicately Scherzo (1837), a question-and-answer-like In January 1866, the 25-year-old Tchaikovsky drawn. The waltz-like April Snowdrop has a statement is followed by a vivid, plunging moved from St. Petersburg to Moscow to take winning innocence and grace—not surprising melody. Dramatic contrast is present from a position teaching music theory at the newly since Tchaikovsky had just completed Swan the outset and continues for all three sections opened Moscow Conservatory. Over the next Lake, the first of his three great ballets. May of a work that referred to 10 years, his earliest symphonies and operas, captures the beauty as well as the exuberance as “Byronic.” A triumphant coda culminates

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in the key of D-flat major rather than in the 56th Grammy Awards, where he performed It takes a special kind of dedication to come home key of B-flat minor, bringing to an end with Metallica; the Opening Ceremony of from a small Chinese town, Shenyang, to one of Chopin’s most popular works. The the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where more travel to the big city as a small child, and Third Scherzo (1839) is the shortest of the set. than four billion people around the world to win the attention of the country’s finest Its opens with several bars of indeterminate saw his performance; the Last Night of the music professors. And then to leave behind tonality and unexpected rhythm, with all 12 Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall; or your home country altogether to join the tones of the chromatic scale and four beats to the Liszt 200th birthday concert with the world-famous Curtis Institute of Music in the bar, rather than the customary three. The Philadelphia Orchestra and Charles Dutoit, Philadelphia in the United States. Lang excitement then promised by the resolute, which was broadcast live in more than 300 Lang achieved all of this early on: he started plunging octaves is amply realized in the movie theaters around the United States playing piano at age three, won the Shenyang stormy, virtuoso coda. The middle section and 200 cinemas across Europe (the first Competition and gave his first public recital by is a haunting, somewhat mystical chorale, classical music cinemacast to be headlined the time he was five, entered Beijing’s Central punctuated by cascades of shimmering notes. by a solo artist). He forms enduring musical Music Conservatory at age nine, and won It is an extraordinarily bold and beautiful partnerships with the world’s greatest artists, First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky effect. The Fourth Scherzo (1842–1843) is at from conductors such as , Competition for Young Musicians and played once the longest and most refined of the four, Gustavo Dudamel, and Sir to the complete Chopin études at the Beijing playful and witty at times, pensive at others, a artists from outside classical music—among Concert Hall at 13. He left for America, masterpiece of subtle writing for the piano. them dubstep dancer Marquese “Nonstop” Curtis, and the great piano teacher Gary —© 2015 Keith Horner Scott, king of the crooners Julio Iglesias, Graffman, and when his moment came, he and jazz titan . He even was ready. That moment happened when, builds relationships with corporations who at age 17, he was called upon to make a will help him get classical music to ever more dramatic last-minute substitution for the people. Thanks to his Sony ambassadorship, famous André Watts to perform in the for instance, he brought Prokofiev’s Seventh “Gala of the Century,” playing a Tchaikovsky Piano Sonata to the soundtrack of the hugely concerto with the Chicago Symphony popular computer game Gran Turismo 5 and Orchestra. It made him what journalists like 6! And he builds cultural bridges between to call an “overnight star,” and the world’s the East and West, frequently introducing finest concert halls quickly beckoned. Chinese music to western audiences and vice versa. Today, his resume reads like a bestseller (indeed, his biography, Journey of a Thousand Yet Lang Lang never forgets what first Miles, has been published by Random House inspired and continues to inspire him: great in 11 languages and was released to critical artists, above all, the great composers—Liszt, acclaim—and as part of his commitment Chopin, and the others—whose music he to the education of children, he released now delights in bringing to others. Even a version specifically for younger readers, that famous old Tom and Jerry cartoon entitled Playing with Flying Keys). He has been “The Cat Concerto,” which introduced him heralded as the “hottest artist on the classical as a child to the music of Liszt—and that music planet” by the New York Times, has LANG LANG childlike excitement at the discovery of played sold-out concerts in every major city If one word applies to Lang Lang, to the music—now stays with him and propels him in the world, and is the first Chinese musician, to the man, to his worldview, to in what he calls “his second career,” bringing to be engaged by the , those who come into contact with him, it music into the lives of children around the , and the New York is “inspiration.” It resounds like a musical the world, both through his work for the Philharmonic orchestras. motif through his life and career. He inspires United Nations and through his own Lang millions with his open-hearted, emotive Lang International Music Foundation. As Time magazine recently included Lang Lang playing, whether it be in intimate recitals he inspires, he is inspired. As he is inspired, in the “Time 100,” its annual list of the 100 or on the grandest of stages—such as the he inspires others. It is this quality, perhaps, most influential people in the world, as a 2014 World Cup concert in Rio, with Plácido that led the New Yorker to call him “the symbol of the youth of China and its future. Domingo, to celebrate the final game; the world’s ambassador of the keyboard.” Lang Lang is the cultural ambassador of the

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cities of Shenzhen and Shenyang. In July 2012 in concert, performing for sick children in where children can study piano, participate he relayed the Olympic torch in London just hospitals, delivering classical music recitals in in master classes and competitions, attend before the opening of the XXX Olympiad. underserved and remote communities, and concerts, and purchase educational products. donating his musical talents to raise awareness Lang Lang himself continues to give master And if the Chinese passion for piano isn’t of other charitable causes. These charitable classes regularly throughout the world at solely due to him, he has played no small part efforts have led to the launch of the Lang the invitation of the most prestigious music as a role model in encouraging more than Lang International Music Foundation, with its institutions, including the Curtis Institute of 40 million Chinese children to learn to play goals of cultivating tomorrow’s top , Music, the Juilliard School, Manhattan School the instrument—a phenomenon described by championing music education at the forefront of Music, and the Hannover Conservatory, The Today Show as “the Lang Lang effect.” of technology, and building a young audience as well as all the top conservatories in China, Steinway Pianos, for the first time in its through live music experiences. The Financial where he holds honorary professorships. Elite 150-year history, named a piano model after Times described Lang Lang as “evangelical universities such as Oxford, Harvard, and a single artist when it introduced the “Lang in his efforts to spread the popularity of Columbia have invited him to give talks. Lang Piano” to China. That piano, specially classical music.” And in May 2009, Lang Lang designed for early music education, is now on and three chosen young scholars from the Lang Lang enjoys reaching audiences of all its fifth iteration. foundation—between six and ten years old— sizes and few come bigger than that of the performed together on The Oprah Winfrey YouTube Symphony Orchestra, of which Lang The child Lang Lang was and who, perhaps, Show in “Oprah’s Search for the World’s Lang was the first official Ambassador—a is always with him would surely have Smartest and Most Talented Kids.” role, created by YouTube and Google, that approved of the way he gives back to children combined two of his great loves, music around the world. His volunteer activities In 2011, Lang Lang Music World was and outreach through technology. More include mentoring young talented pianists, launched, a multifunction arts complex traditionally, tens of thousands of people convening 100 piano students at a time located in Shenzhen and Chongqing, China, have enjoyed Lang Lang’s performances

40 STANFORD LIVE MAGAZINE MARCH 2015 “The hottest artist on the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, George H. received the highest German civilian honor, classical music planet may W. Bush, George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, former Germany, in recognition of his distinguished well be the Chinese pianist President Hu Jin-Tao of China, President service to music, and in January 2013, he was Lang Lang.” Horst Köhler of Germany, H. R. H. Prince presented with the Medal of the Order of Arts —New York Times Charles, former French President Nicolas and Letters by the French Minister of Culture. Sarkozy, French President François Hollande, in open-air concerts in parks and venues Dutch Queen Beatrix and His Majesty King He is one of the world’s most prolific and around the globe, including Central Park in Willem-Alexander, and Polish President highest-profile recording artists. The featured New York City, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Lech Kaczynski. Among many landmark soloist on the Golden Globe-winning score Angeles, the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, events, he was honored to perform recently for the film The Painted Veil, composed by Theaterplatz in Dresden, and Derby Park for President Barack Obama and former Alexandre Desplat, he can also be heard on in Hamburg. Lang Lang participated in President Hu Jin-Tao at a White House State the soundtracks of The Banquet, composed the opening concert at Munich’s Olympic Dinner, as well as at the Diamond Jubilee by , and My Week with Marilyn. All of Stadium with Mariss Jansons, marking the celebratory concert for Queen Elizabeth II at his have made the top classical charts commencement of the World Cup Games Buckingham Palace. as well as many pop charts around the globe. in 2006. In celebratory concerts for the His of Beethoven’s First and Fourth closing of the 2008 Euro Cup finals, Lang Wherever he can, Lang Lang tries to give Piano Concerti with L’Orchestre de Paris and Lang played with the Vienna Philharmonic back. In 2013, he was designated by the Maestro debuted at under the baton of in front Secretary-General of the United Nations number one on Billboard’s Classical Chart. of Schönbrunn Palace. And he marked the as a Messenger of Peace focusing on Lang Lang also appeared on Billboard’s New New Year’s Eve gala opening of the National global education. He has worked to raise Artist Chart in the highest-ever position for a Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing funds and awareness for earthquake relief classical artist. In 2007, he was nominated for with another great conductor, Seiji Ozawa. in China and Haiti. These efforts included a Grammy Award, becoming the first Chinese auctioning the red Steinway piano he played artist to be nominated for Best Instrumental In December 2007, Lang Lang was a during his 2008 New York Central Park Soloist. He has recently recorded the movie guest soloist at the Nobel Prize Concert concert, donating the net proceeds to the soundtrack for the Japanese blockbuster film in Stockholm, an event attended by Nobel American Red Cross China Earthquake Nodame Cantabile, Chopin’s 24 Études for laureates and members of the royal family. Fund, and organizing a benefit concert at Project Chopin (the largest project in honor He performed as a soloist in Oslo for the 2009 Carnegie Hall, donating the net proceeds of Chopin’s bicentenary), La nuit de mai Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony and in a to UNICEF’s Earthquake Relief Fund with Plácido Domingo, and, of course, that concert for President Barack Obama. in Haiti. He also currently serves on the opening sequence for Gran Turismo, the most Weill Music Institute Advisory Committee successful video game to date. Lang Lang has made numerous TV as part of Carnegie Hall’s educational appearances, including The Today Show, program and is the youngest member of In February 2010, Lang Lang joined Sony The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Carnegie Hall’s Artistic Advisory Board. Music Entertainment as an exclusive recording Morning America, CBS’s The Early Show, artist; his first album with Sony featured a 60 Minutes, Wetten, dass..?, and El Número Honors include being named one of the 250 live recording of his 2010 recital at Vienna’s Uno, among many others. He has been Young Global Leaders picked by the World legendary Musikverein (including a segment featured on every major TV network and Economic Forum and receiving the 2010 filmed in 3D). His next CD, Liszt, My Piano in news and lifestyle magazines worldwide, Crystal Award in Davos. In May 2011, Lang Hero, and DVD, Liszt, Now!, celebrated the including such diverse publications as the Lang received an Honorary Doctorate of 200th anniversary of the birth of the great New Yorker, Esquire, Vogue, the Times, Music from His Royal Highness the Prince composer, while 2012 saw the release of The the Financial Times, GQ, Cosmopolitan, of Wales at the Royal College of Music, and Chopin Album. His latest released album is Die Welt, Reader’s Digest, and People. he received his second Honorary Doctorate a recording with and in Musical Arts at Manhattan School of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra of all the In addition to President Obama, Lang Lang Music in May 2012. In December 2011, he masterpieces of Mozart. has performed for numerous international was honored with the highest prize awarded dignitaries, including former Secretary- by the Ministry of Culture of the People’s For more information, visit www.langlang.com/ General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, Republic of China. More recently, he has www.langlangfoundation.org.•

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