World renowned pianist Lang Lang left his listeners in awe during his debut recital in Manila last January 30 at Rockwell Proscenium Theater, Makati. Aptly billed Lang Lang Live in Manila, the concert was sponsored by Drown Free Philippines Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Rockwell.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos led the audience who filled the theater to capacity. In the audience were China Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan and National Artist for Music Ryan C. Cayabyab.
Lang Lang (middle) with master class participants flanked by Prof. Cecile Basilio-Roxas (far left) and Prof. Anthony Yu Say (far right)
Zenas Lozada, one of the country’s leading concert pianists and chairperson of the board of trustees of Drown Free Philippine Foundation, expressed her thanks on behalf of the foundation, the concert’s beneficiary. Project director Cecile Basilio-Roxas, concert pianist and pedagogue, said the concert was a “rare and intimate opportunity” to experience Lang Lang’s “breathtaking virtuosity!”
At the outset, Lang Lang enthralled the audience with his full, sensitively nuanced, and resonant playing. He caressed the keys with virtuosity.
Mozart’s Rondo in D Major, K.485 opened the program. One noted his well-tempered singing tone, as he went through arresting thematic octaves with utmost control.
In the two Beethoven sonatas that followed, Lang Lang clearly delineated the stylistic nuances inherent in the works, the Pathetique Sonata in C Minor, Op. 15, an earlier work, and the penultimate Sonata in A-flat major, Op.110.
Lang Lang acknowledges the applause.
In Pathetique, Lang Lang met with ease the technical demands of the first movement, almost with nonchalant stance. His playing was simply beguiling. He met the difficult demands of the piece, especially those tiring tremolos that his left hand adeptly played, and the speed that required endurance. Lyricism infused his playing of the second movement, the adagio cantabile, that starkly contrasted with an energetic third movement that concluded the piece.
In the next Beethoven sonata, the second to the last of the 32 sonatas Beethoven composed, the Sonata No. 31 in A-flat major, Op. 110, Lang Lang’s command was formidable! He struck a striking balance between the lyrical and the fugal rigor of the work, thus eloquently showing both the melancholy and triumphant aspects of the work.
He played the first movement with such expressive gentleness, contrasting it with a playful second movement. In the concluding third movement, he played with such passionate charm as he surged through the two fugues, separated by a pensive section. Here, Lang Lang eloquently showed the two sides of his virtuosity, evident not only in technical brilliance but also in the consummate expression of sentiment.
After the interval, Lang Lang played two Iberian works adeptly crafted by Isaac Albeniz and Enrique Granados. Both composers are stalwarts in incorporating Spanish folk styles and rhythms in their works, making them strong pillars of nationalism in Spanish music.
In the first, Lang Lang sang through six selections (of the original eight) that highlighted particular regions in Spain, concluding with Cuba. Lang Lang brought out the dance rhythms that infused the piece, with the exception of Asturias, which showcased guitar music. Cuba and its lilting rhythm wrapped up the selection.
In Granados’ Quejas, o la mata y el ruisenor (Complaints, or the maiden and the nightingale) from Goyescas, Op. 11 No. 4, Lang Lang swept through the variated passages, capped by a brilliant cadenza complete with the trills of a nightingale.
Two works of Lizst concluded the program: Consolation No. 2 in E Major and the Tarantella from Annees de Pelerinage, Book 11 (Italy). Lang Lang displayed technical prowess. In the first, the melodic lines etched between his right and left hands, the characteristic ease of a seasoned performer was so evident. Certainly, the last piece was a showpiece which Lang Lang played with virtuosic ease.
Lang Lang at the master class
As the last note faded, the audience rose in ovation. Shouts of “bravo” punctuated the thunderous applause. Lang Lang acknowledged several curtain calls which quieted down only when he returned to the piano for an encore, two at that, to the delight of the audience. At the final note of his own arrangement of the theme from La La Land, the applause was incessant. Once more he took his seat and brilliantly played Chopin’s Waltz in E-flat Major, Op. 18.
At the final note of his own arrangement of the theme from ‘La La Land,’ the applause was incessant
He capped the concert with a Happy Birthday, in honor of Nestor Padilla, board chairman, president and chief executive of Rockwell Land, who stood up to acknowledge the greeting.
A day before his concert, Lang Lang held a master class at the Proscenium Black Box, organized by Prof. Anthony Yu Say of the faculty of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Conservatory, the piano teacher who has produced students who have won in several national and international competitions.
The class had four active participants, and was attended by 180 people, among them piano teachers and students, and a few music enthusiasts. It was a fruitful encounter with the master himself, said Professor Say.
Lang Lang was impressed with the playing of the participants. He gave suggestions for improvement, said Professor Say, and all were in awe even of his demonstrations.
Mabuhay, Lang Lang!
