Lang Lang: Schubert "Wanderer-Fantasie"(Part3)

[tszho1995]

ppl should stop commenting about his "acting" U guys cant even play 1 x 10^-9999999 %... we should all just accept the fact that he is amazing. Learn to appreciate his interruption

[eholian]

Well from my experience, this kind of artist is of the type of wanting to awe the ignorant audience by adding the clowny exaggerated expressions. Notice how at the end of the video you see him skimming around for the reaction that he was expecting, as if Schubert wasn't enough. It may also be a reflection of his cultural background, since probably where he's from, everyone plays the same ol' notes, he had to differentiate himself somehow...and apparently clowning is doing it for him.

[mcrettable]

@eholian this is typical... when something different comes along, we (you) cower and hate... why?

[eholian]

@mcrettable Not cower and hate...but objective analysis of a piece I happen to know extensively. And different for the sake of different is not necessarily or always a good thing.

[RevShaqueefa]

His ridiculous facial expressions aside, the playing is fantastic.

[krustyloaf]

Doesn't this guy just have the kind of face you'd love to punch?

[dotcom97]

Bravo! Bravíssimo! The 4th movement is the best!

[59fields]

It's as though there's a metronome controlling the tempo, not a person. Listening to a MIDI would give the same effect. As Brendel says: intellect is everything to the pianist. Lang Lang has incredible talent but as yet no intellect - at least with regard to Schubert.

[bondczar]

So much talent, so little heart. Emotionally fraudulent. Every time I see this performer I feel as though I am witnessing a carnival act. It is only the freakish nature of the performance that draws me to watch it. Sort of like the car accident you can't help but stop to see. I doubt he even likes the music. Schubert must be rolling in his grave.

[tszho1995]

@bondczar if u dont learn the music using ur heart. there is no way u will play it well .so HIS emotions are real. 

[bondczar]

incredible technique, but i can't stand to listen to this interpretation.

[gubbochrubs123]

Absolute favourite part of this piece: 4:18 to 4:32. Schubert's music transcends all boundaries!

[juanpfloristan]

clowny the clown

[cedricrlongreen]

I love the coda section (I know it says Allegro lol) and I love the chord progression at 4:20.

[instylelupo]

Nice

[marionetanyc1]

Well, I tried to find kind words but I know I had a very pained expression- which she was relieved to see- so she interrupted me and said , essentially, "it's a monstrosity, technically proficient with absolutely no understanding at all of the classical European tradition- maybe they'll get it in the future". She's a kind women, but brooks no nonsense when it comes to music. Pianism is not a smug self-satisfied dog and pony show, it's a lovely way to express the human soul.

[marionetanyc1]

Very good BUT please read the following. About 5-6 years ago I ran into a neighbor of mine, originally from Argentina of Austrian Jewish, who is a very very fine pianist of the old school (made her debut at a young age in the 1950's. She had just come back from a tour of S Korea and China, and wanted me to listen to some CD's she was give of Lang Lang and tell her what I thought. (She had been giving me piano lessons for free because she liked my playing so I obliged.)

[daniel15671]

This is simply splendid. Lang Lang gives a magnificent account of this piece.

[arthurtwoshed]

Bravo again !!!!

[grigiusII]

poor Schubert

[voodoodollninja]

Judging by his expression. He must have washed his hair with Herbal Essence.

[jmdeheredia]

quelle fougue dans le mouvement fugativo

les harmonies réverbèrent tant le jeu est dominé par ces doigts magiques

Schubert disait : seul le diable peut jouer cela

jmdh

[jmdeheredia]

fantastique, quelle virtuosité

jmdh

[stagesix6]

Godlike

[chopin6630k]

Pura genialità. Non commento. Per la genialità non esistono parole.

[MrDesperateArtist]

at 3:22, Lang Lang rocks! awesome!

[dagadbm]

well this is not lang lang :P its awesome lang

[Haeronthegreat]

Don't understand why he plays all those impetuous tremolos in the last movement so quietly...

[flute1982]

LANG LANG PLEASE LISTEN Julius Katchen PLAYS THIS PIECE!!

[metteholm75]

Thanks. I treasure this! The Wanderer was always a good story for me ever since I was about 3 and it still is, - and especially in the hands of Lang-Lang. His theatrical talent makes him a good storyteller. Whitout that, this piece would be ..... a bravoura act.

[parule]

Lang Lang is a great actor, a great pianist plus a great manager.

[enzogrella1]

....è bravissimo.....

[muslit]

Lang Lang gets an electric piano tone out of a Steinway. I don't think it really matters one way or another to him.

[her0esfan]

@muslit lol you have conflicting replies lol!

[muslit]

The most amazing performance of this piece I have ever heard.

[muslit]

Lang Lang's fame rests on his theatrics and a name that can rake in the bucks. Oh, and his technique, which he has plenty of. But artistry? I sometimes wonder about his ability to understand Western classical music. I know he's trying.

[Lang99Lang]

what can you say to this interpretation.....he's way to play is completly new and i think that schubert wouldn't mind if he could hear it....the last part is the best...a big fuoca to conclude....and for those who don't like...listen at the final applause....that's what lang lang can do...

[JT0420]

To all those who criticize this young man's interpretation of this particular piece:

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but Lang Lang is the one performing at Carnegie Hall and not YOU. I think that by itself says something

[posh1961]

Thanks,i am glad somebody had the strength to speak against those who try to find fault.Merry christmas anyway!

[dotcom97]

Bravo. If I only listen to him and don't watch his faces, it's perfect.

[mcrettable]

@dotcom97 he requires the faces. embrace them.

[blahblahblahunited]

Give him a break. He played for 30 minutes!

[aytanmidas]

the interpretation of the 4th movement is terrible, I do not think schubert intended to forestall prokofieff´s 3rd movement of his 7th sonata

[fdaltrey]

Surprisingly well behaved.

[glamourouspianist]

a fascinating performance full of excitement!

[prodesica]

è Schubert, non il circo.... Peccato aveva iniziato bene, con cose molto belle.... Ma alla fine vince il cattivo gusto e il lang lang peggiore.

[StephaCicos]

peccato che nell'ultima pagina semplifichi gli arpeggi finali di do maggiore omettendo gli accordi...

[beethomozart]

one of the best pieces for piano composed by that enormous genius which was Franz Schubert, what a pity that he died so young (aged 31), otherwise one can imagine how many other extraordinary melodies could he have written, Nice interpretation by Lang Lang

[shaermy]

What a moron :D

[elmaaroud]

1000000000000 veryyyyy nice**** wanderer-fantaisie

[tonyngjichun]

From 3:08 to 6:32 is the most wonderful movement of this piece.

Splendid!

[Michael272727]

@tonyngjichun

Make it 2:47 to 6:32. Definitely, the most brilliant part of the piece too. Glad to see someone that sees it the same way...even if your post is 2 years old.

[concerto35]

With this work Lang Lang rules. It is one of the most challenging works written for piano and certainly Schubert's most difficult piano production. There is an arrangement of the work for piano and orchestra by Franz Liszt.

May God continue to bless Lang Lang and prosper him in all of his endeavours.

And in the end may the salvation of the Lord be his.

I was certainly proud when I saw him perform for Memorial Day

concerto35

[tonyngjichun]

actualyy, concerto35, it's not too challenging, it's challenging coz it's long, i should say, it's challenging to memorize the whole piece.

The real challenging ones are the Te by Liszt, and Etudes from Chopin.

It's just my own opinion, so forgive me that i disagree you

tonyngjichun

[concerto35]

tonyngjichun: I have played this work in concert in 1992 and it is challenging especially the last movement because of unconventional fingering in some places.

then you have got to take into consideration the speed as well. It may not be the most challenging piece in the piano repertoire, but I can see it being Schubert's most difficult work. Again as you say, it could be a matter of opinion or "personal technique." However, many people think of me as a Liszt pianist!!

[morrisonfurryant]

Who cares what people think of you as?!?!

[arthurfoxache]

This has really warmed me to Lang Lang. Most of his playing that I've heard up to now has been spoiled by liberties with the text and using the music to show off, but this was a really mature performance.

[4mithrandir]

Arthurfoxache, those "liberties with the text" you mention simply means that the pianist has ideas about how the piece should be played, and he is able to bring those ideas to fruition - its called bravura; Horowitz, Ricter, Rubenstein, Brendel, et al, all had it! This pianist has it!!

And you are right, the performance is white-hot!!!

[arthurfoxache]

I just think there's a line between allowing your natural response to the music to come through, and totally disregarding the composer's intentions. e.g. in bar 132 of the 1st mov (part 1 4:40) Schubert marks subito ff, whereas Lang Lang starts this bar p and crescendos over the next couple of measures. Schubert's idea is the more exciting for me.

[HolyShetKadijahh]

Some people are saying he sucks, but iDoubt that's true. iM pretty sure that he plays better than most of us.

[saiserieht]

Richter has set the gold standard for this piece, still unparalleled.

[alcoholicass]

don't forget Brendel !

[sayblues]

really impressive

[drjekyll66]

This is awfull ! Listen to Murrhay P. and Alfred B. this is high end and really classic and roll !!!

Nice time

[Astardis]

I really hate watching him - he looks so spastic whenever he plays and I don't even like his style very much but he has a point here in the last part, I'll have to admit that

[garpy666]

Seriously, the 'presto' section is too slow. Listen to Alfred Brendel's. It's better. End of.

[twangman5]

Fantastic, Mr Lang 'played' brilliantly. Schubert is the daddy. Lang played with youthful vigour and is probably more in tune with how the young Franz would have performed with fire and passion not like a geriatric, this rocks bro'.

[superstrikerace]

although his face emotion is too much but well I think there's a level where you and me can enjoy music like him....

[alcoholicass]

the 4th movement is incredible

[Victor1Piano]

all this piece is incredible [2]

[superhao69]

Lang is well dressed this time.

[3screamingkids]

brahmsian1steve, that is the face of a true musician rejoicing in the piece. A face you will never experience, except in your bathroom.

[afertyus1000]

go fuck yourself yourself lang lang is a good pianist but 'plays' to the camera too much with false emotion and deserves criticism,why you so upset do you look like him!

[afertyus1000]

was the crazy frog modelled on his face?

[samyooljackson]

how bout you post some pics of your face on youtube, or better yet a vid of you playing your piano, so that we can judge your ugly looks, and shitty playing :)

[elsalvador90]

Gosh, what I would do to play like Lang Lang...

[12holiday12]

"Excuse me sir, how do I get to Carnegie Hall?"

"Praactise, son, praaactise!"

[notredamewhs]

Wonderful piece!! Wonderful performance !!!!!!!

[mathpianist93]

This piece requires excellent energy and excellent reflexes. It travels through so much territory that it qualifies as a masterpiece.

[pianozhenzi]

I love LangLang's Wanderer-Fantasie!!!!!!

[pianozhenzi]

I love LangLang's Wanderer-Fantasie!!!!!!

[parule]

At 3:08 the Hitlermarsch begins XD

[mathpianist93]

what do you mean, Hitler's march? Does it sound particularly militaristic to you?

[Daavid321]

This piece is what got me to like LL's playing back in 2003. Bravo!

[amishan92]

This is very hard to perform, and Lang-Lang got it just right!

[AllUserNamesTaken111]

wonderful

[klavigen]

ein wundervolles Musikvideo - Lang Lang ist sicher noch von vielen unterschätzt, weil er vorrangig als Virtuose gesehen wird. Aber hier wird klar, wie sehr er die Musik im Innersten versteht und seine ganze Technik in den dienst der Musik stellt. Er ist wirklich einer der Wenigen, dem die Technik keine Beschränkungen in seinem musikalischen willen aufzwingt. Die Interpretation ist klar, durchsichtig und nahezu vollkommen.