[Herald Review] Lang Lang returns to Seoul for solo recital

In his first solo recital tour in Korea in five years, international piano superstar Lang Lang received cheers and applause fit for a classical icon Tuesday night.

With a sizable international fan following unheard of for most classical musicians, the 33-year-old Chinese pianist is certainly no stranger to having the welcoming fanfare of a rock star. Some ticket-less spectators could be seen watching the virtuoso’s concert from a TV screen in the lobby of the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall.

Seoulites are accustomed to watching Lang Lang perform in concertos with large orchestras, but Tuesday was the first time in a long time that his fans could focus their ears and eyes solely on the pianist and his instrument. 

Taking the audience through the 12 months of the year, Lang Lang opened the evening with Tchaikovsky’s “The Seasons.” “Noel,” the 12th movement of the piece, left the audience welcoming the mood of wintry glee.

Lang Lang is well known for his exaggerated body gestures, elongated pauses and melodramatic facial expressions while performing -- making him not everyone’s cup of tea. However, Lang Lang’s signature style of theatrical playing really shined in the presto third movement of Bach’s Italian Concerto “BWV 971.”

Some music critics have argued that his constant use of somewhat frantic gesturing adds a modern-day dynamic element to his playing, while others see it as terrible distraction to the sentiments of the music. Whether a fan of his style of play or not, Lang Lang was no-holds-barred when it came to using the face and body to convey his musical interpretation.  

Following his performance of Bach, the artist concluded his recital with Chopin’s “4 Scherzos,” a repertoire that showcased all sides of the pianist -- slow and sophisticated to fast and frantic. 

Lang Lang will next head to perform concerts in Taipei, Taiwan and Dresden, Germany at the end of the month.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)