Lang Lang: Saint-Saëns (2-CD)

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 Rachmaninov and Liszt. By pairing it with The 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 children 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 — creates 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 compelling arrangements including 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”.

Saint-Saëns The Carnival of the Animals
Lang Lang piano
Gina Alice piano
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Andris Nelsons conductor
June 2023, Gewandhaus, Leipzig

Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22
Lang Lang piano
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Andris Nelsons conductor
June 2023, Gewandhaus, Leipzig

Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte
Lang Lang piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Debussy Petite Suite
Lang Lang piano
Gina Alice piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Fauré Requiem, Op. 48, “In paradisum”
Lang Lang piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Delibes Lakmé, “Flower Duet”
Lang Lang piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Saint-Saëns Six Études, Op. 111, No. 6: Toccata d'après le cinquième concerto
Lang Lang piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Fauré Pavane, Op. 50
Lang Lang piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Farrenc Etudes, Op. 26, No. 10 in F-Sharp Minor
Lang Lang piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Sohy Pièces romantiques, Op. 30, No. 4: Romance sans paroles
Lang Lang piano
June 2023, Gewandhaus, Leipzig

Tailleferre Valse Lente
Lang Lang piano
June 2023, Gewandhaus, Leipzig

Bonis Miocheries, Op. 126, No. 13: La toute petite s’endort
Lang Lang piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Boulanger D’un Jardin clair
Lang Lang piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Saint-Saëns The Carnival of the Animals, “The Swan”
Lang Lang piano
July 2023, Salle Colonne, Paris

Discs: 2
Record Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: March 1, 2024