FLASH FRIDAY: Lang Lang Hits Movie Theaters With A Bang

Today we are turning our attention to one of the biggest and brightest rising stars in classical music whose seriously awesome piano prowess will be in full view this weekend in two special showings on October 22 and 24 when Fathom presents his solo debut, broadcast internationally in movie theaters - pianist phenomenon Lang Lang performs Lizst's Concerto No. 1 live from Philadelphia on Liszt's 200th birthday; Lang Lang & LIZST LIVE. While Lang Lang has taken the classical music scene by storm at only 29, this event will provide the opportunity for an even larger international audience to fall under the spell of his emotional, sensitive and powerful piano skills in concert, with the added advantage of witnessing Lang perform with the symphonic support of the Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of Charles Dutoit - an orchestra of special personal meaning to Lang. Raised in China, but studying in Philadelphia for nearly a decade makes this a truly momentous culminating event for Lang Lang's life and career as a man and as an artist and we can certainly bet that the Kimmel Arts Center is the perfect venue for such an aural feast for the senses featuring some of Liszt's most famous and beloved compositions - or, better yet, your own local cineplex thanks to the Fathom programming. Come tomorrow night's anxiously awaited live cinema broadcast debut, performances of Liszt's Concerto No. 1 and Liberstraum No. 3 seem to be forgone conclusions, yet what else from the expressive catalogue of Liszt's work shall Lang perchance sample for our pleasure? The Hungarian Waltz No. 2, perhaps? La Campanella? What else? Maybe a surprise or two? Be there tomorrow to find out for once and all!

More information on Lang Lang & LISZT LIVE is available at Fathom's official site here.

Ivories Spotlight

In honor of Lang Lang's international movie theater debut with the Lang Lang & LISZT LIVE broadcast, today we are going to showcase some of his best and most beloved Liszt performances to date - as well as some Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Debussy, Wagner and Gershwin for good measure - including spine-tingling performances taken from concerts around the world and even one at the White House - as a guest of original Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, no less! Over the course of our digital journey, we will sample some of the movie soundtracks he has contributed to - THE PAINTED VEIL included - and, also, shine a light on some of his lesser-known, but nonetheless compelling, pianistic output - including touching collaborations with his parents and an insightful interview with Time. Plus, a 52-piano performance of a theme from THE RINGS, a birthday jig, "Hey, Jude" with the president and much, much more! (Note: despite the title of this article, his name is actually pronounced "long long," believe it or not.)

First up, we have one of the most rich and languidly lilting Franz Liszt melodies of all time - in the form of his Liberstraum No. 3 In A Flat Minor - complete with Lang Lang offering forth one of his most thrilling and touching performances to date. Let us hope we are treated to an encore of this seemingly autumnal-sounding theme tomorrow!

Also, see him performing Liszt's Liberstraum live at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony from 2009 here, in what is perhaps his most fondly remembered, cherished and recognized performance to date.

Next, go behind the piano and see this revealing interview with Lang Lang - conducted by Time Magazine and taken from nearly three years ago - where he opens up about his career goals and his desire to bring Liszt and classical music in general to a much larger international audience. His cinema concert debut seems to be the ideal continuation and realization of those dreams, for sure! 

Here is Lang Lang delivering a sublime performance of Liszt's "La Campanella".

Now, view Lang Lang giving life to one of Liszt's most famous and technically complex pieces - the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 In C Sharp Minor - in this live concert capture from Tuscany.

Given that this is predominately a Broadway-centric column, it would be impossible to let a performance of a Gershwin classic as fantastic as this pass us by, so do not Miss Lang Lang's idiosyncratic take on "Rhapsody In Blue" here!

See Lang Lang performing for President Obama at the White House as part of Paul McCartney's lifetime achievement reception - and even singing a bit of "Hey, Jude" - in this enjoyable clip!

Showing a bit of his softer side, next up, here is Lang Lang in a double-dose of clips featuring his parents.

First, here is he is performing a duet with his father as his father plays the traditional Chinese instrument, the Er-Hu. Obviously, talent in his genes!

Second, here is Lang Lang serenading his mother with his own fabulously played but questionably sung Lang-ian arrangement of the world's most famous song, "Happy Birthday". How cute!

And, given today's somewhat heavy content quotient, for curiosity's and fun's sake: here is Lang Lang being congratulated and dancing a festive birthday jig on his birthday in Germany in 2010.

Following that, we have a triptych of non-Liszt performances, acting as ample evidence that Lang Lang is adept and able mastery of far many more composers than just Liszt, even if Liszt may always remain his favorite and hold a special place in his heart. Without further ado, witness Lang take on some of the most challenging compositions of Chopin, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky with remarkable ease and never breaking a sweat, proving once and for all that there may be no foreseeable limit to his Herculean pianistic talent.

Chopin's Etude No. 3, Op. 10 In E Major

Beethoven's Sonata No. 23 Appassionata Op. 57 No. 23

Tchaikovsky's Nocturne

If those three examples of Lang Lang's versatility were not quite enough to satiate dissuaders who decry he should stick to Liszt, here are two more especially entertaining examples, with one coming from Debussy and and one from Rachmaninoff.

Debussy's La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concert No. 2

In addition to his ability to bring new life to the work of many deceased composers, Lang Lang has also contributed his formidable skills to the soundtracks of a few feature films by current ones, most notably THE PAINTED VEIL. Listen to his emotive playing of the alluring Alexandre Desplat river theme from the film as played by Lang on the soundtrack here.

Last, but certainly not least, here is Lang Lang leading 102 pianists on 52 pianos playing Wagner's epic Flight Of The Valkyries from THE RINGS at London's Royal Festival Hall. One word leaps to mind: Wow!

As a special bonus, here is a glimpse of Lang Lang's spicy onstage encore from a recent youth orchestra concert in Brazil. Caliente!

With a talent as pure as the white of ivory, Lang Lang has proven that new audiences are available and willing to experience new types of music and entertainment and that all that is needed to make that happen is to merely be born a compellingly charismatic individual with the most awe-inspiring piano technique in a century or more - which he most certainly is. Lang Lang can do it all! The future looks blindingly bright for him, so be sure to be one of the millions to watch his ascent to the top of the music scene this weekend as he plays Liszt live for an international audience on Liszt's 200th birthday!