Lang Lang

With this album, Lang Lang presents a treasure trove of musical discoveries: Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2, recorded with a stellar cast, the Gewandhausorchester and Andris Nelsons, is for Lang Lang a true romantic masterpiece that rivals the greats like Rachmaninoff or Liszt. By pairing it with Carnival of the Animals, a whimsical menagerie that has captivated young hearts for generations, Lang Lang continues his heartfelt wish to promote the love of classical music to kids and it also gives him a chance to collaborate with his wife, pianist Gina Alice. Complementing these works with hidden gems – unearthed solo compositions by five female French composers as well as beloved French classics – has created a feast for the ears, promising a captivating experience.

“Many of us remember Saint-Saëns’s famous Carnival of the Animals from childhood. There are a lot of clever ideas underneath all the fun. He’s making a real statement, but in a very humorous way,” says Lang Lang. The pianist was also keen to include some well known smaller-scale solo/four hands works, among them Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte, the Pavane by Fauré, as well as arrangements like the “Flower Duet” from Delibes’s opera Lakmé. For Debussy’s Petite Suite he is again joined by Gina Alice, who describes playing this evocative work as like “painting a picture”.

Finally, Lang Lang shines light on music by five female French composers largely overlooked until recent years. Lili Boulanger, arguably the most famous among them, became the first woman to win the coveted Prix de Rome. Lang Lang gives a spellbinding performance of Boulanger’s sublimely beautiful D’un jardin clair.