Lang Lang, “Liszt My Piano Hero” (Sony Classical)
Lang Lang. Photography: Bob Krieger, Detlef Schneider One can imagine from the title that pianist Lang Lang must have been enthusiastic. The rest of us have reason to be enthused as well. Franz Liszt was born on Oct. 22, 1811, and if you glance at your calendar you’ll note that his 200th birthday is this coming Saturday. It’s also the day that Lang Lang’s live concert in celebration of the event is being broadcast to theaters around the nation, including two AMC Theatres in Torrance which will screen them (see below) on Monday evening. Despite Ken Russelll’s “Lisztomania,” a bio-pic starring The Who’s Roger Daltrey, a few stragglers among us may not be aware of the fame and stature that the Hungarian-born Liszt achieved during his lifetime. Actually, Lang Lang himself sums it up best: “Liszt was a rock star – he was wild, and women idolized him” That’s all you need to know. Just close your eyes, and listen. Well, keep them open long enough to read this review. The work that Lang Lang has chosen to record ranges in temperament and tone, revealing the artistic reaches of both performer and composer – and Liszt was a keyboard prodigy who toured Europe over and over. By way of a…
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