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• 1. At 10:34pm on 27 Aug 2009, bubblinglaurab wrote:

  A brilliant performance of the Chopin Piano Concerto by Lang Lang, so amazingly absorbed by the piece and played exquisitely, a joy to hear and watch.

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• 2. At 11:45pm on 27 Aug 2009, Rowby2009 wrote:

  The first half was absolutely super (once we moved on to the Chopin!)- Lang Lang both showman and superb performer. Nice to see a few people on their feet applauding at the end too. An excellent spectacle, energy and everyone seemed to go for a half time drink with a smiles on faces.
  
  The second half, Alpine Symphony, I found heavygoing in comparison, as I did on Monday's prom when Gerviev and the LSO's amazing performance of Nagasaki was followed by a heavygoing Shostakovich 8. Well played but too long in a hot albert hall!
  
  In general I think the piano has triumphed at this year's proms (it was intended to, one could presume), but the symphonic offering has lacked excitement.
  
  I put my views on the messageboards about no Tchaikovsky symphonies at all featuring this year - and in my opinion the balance is going too far in the direction of force fed education and premieres and there is too much mainstream stuff, one would expect to see from such a festival, that is missing
  
  For the first time I think the Festival hall has a far more interesting autumn programme on offer.
  
  For tonight, a thoroughly enjoyable second half but I hope we have more symphonic fun on offer at next year's proms. Apline and Shosty 8 were both misses for me this weeki at the Albert Hall.
  
  We all like different things. Im sure many enjoyed the Apline tonight - for me, though, Lang Lang stole the show. An excellent performer and someone that can be a big big pull ingetting more young people going to the proms.
  
  

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• 3. At 10:07am on 28 Aug 2009, jkooltrumpet wrote:

  
  This was definitely a tale of two halves for me.
  
  I couldn't really engage with, or comprehend, the Saunders premiere - I didn't hear the first version, but on the basis of this revised edition would probably not rush to hear it!
  
  I had heard Lang Lang quite a few times on the radio, and seen him on TV, but never live. Although I had heard differing opinions on him I was interested to hear him in person, particularly playing such a great concerto as the Chopin 2. Unfortunately I found his performance extremely self indulgent, egotistical and immature. Although I am not a pianist, I found his playing completely over the top, lacking in finesse or understanding. I just felt sorry for the Orchestra who had to accompany him… I didn’t think the reaction at the end was particularly appreciative, so why did Lang Lang feel the need to perform an encore? From the small group of people I was stood near up in the gallery, it seemed that they had come just to see Lang Lang and weren’t too fussed about what he played, or indeed how he played it!
  
  Thankfully the second half more than lived up to expectations, and made up for the first half! The Alpine-Symphony was the main reason I had gone to this prom, as well as to hear the Staatskapelle Dresden and neither disappointed! It is hard to single out specific sections as the whole orchestra were on top form, however I couldn’t leave this review without mentioning the horns, trumpets and trombones. Simply breathtaking! The Orchestra is clearly steeped in a history of performing this music, and this was evident throughout. Fabio Luisi seems like a fine conductor – it is a shame that he hasn’t yet conducted a huge amount over in London. Hopefully on the back of this performance the proms will invite him again for future seasons.
  
  I was pleased to see that the performance was broadcast on BBC4 and am looking forward to watching the second part again online!
  

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• 4. At 2:16pm on 28 Aug 2009, iwant2enjoy wrote:

  OK the mix this year may not be to my taste but I am prepared to listen - and listen is all I want to do. The Saunders piece was something to try and get to grips with at a first hearing - but I did not wish to listen to the child talking through the first couple of minutes - what was worse was the parents responding!
  I totally fell into the Chopin and on the contrary I was heartened to see someone - Lang Lang - having such a passion for what he was playing - it is a self indulgence and I was priviliged to see and hear it and was totally absorbed. Once again however the applause after the first movement left me needing to settle back into the piece at the start of the second movement when I needed to be already engrossed.
  The applause at the end was well deserved and the encore well received.
  The second half was also a delight and the orchestra and conductor were as one which was welcome after having attended the Philharmonia playing Ravel 2 weeks earlier.
  The sense of the alpine environment was only marred by the lingering smell of the cheese and onion crisps being devoured by the person next to me in the interval. The perils of a 50 minute piece become evident in the amount of fidgiting and coughing which last night reached a crescendo. I have no idea whether the couple in front left as a result or just on a whim but in both standing up and requiring all others to stand along the row and let them out they once again disturbed my pleasure of the piece. I could of course have asked the Korean couple in front to let me see any bits I missed as they spent most of the concert recording snippets on their mobile phone and conferring with each other.
  Any concerns I may have that the child talking was part of the Saunders piece were dispelled when the child chimed up again just before the end of the Alpine Symphony.
  I like listening to music and going to concerts - I just don't want to share in other peoples conversations, hobbies or gastronomic delights when I've paid a great deal of money to sit in a box and indulge. No doubt I will be labelled as a snob or elitist etc - I am not - please put on a concert and invite people to bring kids and babies - - I will bring my 7 month old grandson - it would be great to expose them to music - let them cry and talk and ask questions throughout - the difference is the conductor, orchestra and audience will know what to expect.
  The concert was great - but I think the proms are becoming less and less for me.

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• 5. At 6:04pm on 28 Aug 2009, listenerinhampshire wrote:

  I only heard/saw the second half of the concert on TV so inevitably was unable to pick up all the subtleties, balance etc. However, I have to say that the playing of the orchestra was outstanding - some of the very best heard so far in this season's proms. This was a most rewarding performance of a work not often heard live and Fabio Luisi gave a totally committed and inspiring interpretation. This orchestra and conductor must surely be heard again in London very soon please!

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• 6. At 11:07pm on 28 Aug 2009, narraboth wrote:

  I am a Chinese.
  When I was in Sheffield and Lang Lang went there for a concert, many Chinese people who never listened to classical music go for him. Yes, just out of nationalism.
  But I have to say, I can't bare his Chopin. I can't even finish the first movement.
  His technique is quite ok, but the speed, the phrasing, the atmosphere... all wrong. Nothing like Chopin. If I am going to listen to some good Chinese pianist, I will play a CD of Fu Tson (not Li Yun-di, sorry).
  The only thing I can praise is: I am glad that he doesn't make strange face when playing piano anymore.

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• 7. At 08:57am on 29 Aug 2009, markaveryRSPB wrote:

  From my blog www.rspb.org.k/markavery
  
  Naturally cultured
  
  Yesterday evening I was a guest of the BBC at the Proms.
  
  The first bit of music was not my cup of tea but was mercifully short.
  
  The second was a Chopin piano concerto played by Lang Lang (so good they named him twice?). One of the effects of watching music, particularly with a soloist, is that I tend to start concentrating on the player rather than the music. Lang Lang’s shiny shoes flashed in the lights, he had some distracting mannerisms but the striking thing was that his hands appeared to drift across the keyboard whilst the notes tumbled and cascaded in abundance and profusion.
  
  It was amazing to watch – rather like watching Usain Bolt apparently strolling effortlessly to a new world record. I wish there were something that difficult that I could do that well.
  
  All very well, you may be thinking (or not!), but what does this have to do with nature? In the programme notes Lang Lang is quoted as saying that when he plays Chopin, he sees beautiful images and feels close to nature – there you go!
  
  The last piece was Strauss’s Alpine Symphony, which describes a day’s walking in the Alps including flower-rich meadows and birdsong. This is music to bathe in – the 100+ piece orchestra sends out waves of melody. Strauss was quite clear where he stood when he talked of ‘the worship of nature, eternal and magnificent.’
  
  Nature is inspiring - it inspires great scientists and great artists - and the rest of us too!
  
  

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• 8. At 6:20pm on 30 Aug 2009, maturemusiclover wrote:

  I am full of admiration for what Lang Lang has achieved, in his efforts to popularise classical piano music, especially in China. Millions of children learning an instrument can only be marvelled at. There is also no doubting his technical ability and virtuosity.
  However, I found his account of this fantastic Chopin concerto very disappointing. I thought his timing and particularly his phrasing did not do the music any justice. In the final movement especially, I found his playing very eccentric and egocentric; it lacked sensitivity at times. The dialogue between piano and orchestra thus became strained somewhat. The conductor and this very fine group of musicians did a great job in the circumstances.

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• 9. At 9:34pm on 01 Sep 2009, Veltan wrote:

  Well, I have no doubt the afficianados of contemporary classical music will wax eloquent about the Saunders piece that opened this Prom. For me this scrape scratch and rattle stuff is 'sound-scape' not music and I find it irritating and pointless. The child was a welcome distraction until the parent left the auditorium with their child.
  
  The Chopin was stunning...I see and read comments about self-indulgence etc.... I was captivated by the Chopin and by Lang Lang's performance. I did not feel sorry for the orchestra because I felt all of them on the platform were engrossed in making music....the duet between the bassoon and piano was delightful...the second movement was very moving. It is all about performance and that is what Lang Lang gave us. He communicates, for better or worse with his audience!
  
  The Alpine Symphony was spectacular and I enjoyed this orchestra's obvious affinity with the piece. I am still not sure if I like it though, I need to her more Strauss.

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• 10. At 4:31pm on 02 Sep 2009, CBCambridge wrote:

  Whatever liberties Lang Lang might have taken with the Chopin, the performance was nonetheless spellbinding so involved and committed was the soloist and orchestra. It was wonderful to hear and see. Sadly I was late switching on so missed the contemporary piece but was glad to sample the Alpine Symphony, especially when played by such a wonderful orchestra whose Kempe recording of the mid '70 taught me this work. And they haven't lost any elan since then: burnished knowledgeable playing crowned the evening. The Staatskapelle Dresden can never come to the UK too often so far as my ears are concerned. They yield nothing to Berlin! CB

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