14 San Diego Uptown News | January 7–20, 2011


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Heralded as the “hottest artist on the classical music planet” by the New York Times, 28-year-old Lang Lang has played sold out recitals and con- certs in every major city in the world and is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and all the top American orchestras.


FROM PAGE 12 SYMPHONY


a very different master of the ivory keys descends upon Copley Symphony Hall: Lang Lang. The pianist invigorates every piece he plays with a youthful exuberance and panache that has superstar written all over him. Indeed, in classical music you would be hard-put to find a more meteoric career trajectory.


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This writer first encountered him during his premiere U.S. recital tour at the McCallum The- atre in Palm Desert, Calif. when he was a lad of 18. His dreamy interpretations of a challenging program had him swaying in an almost ecstatic trance, so much so that one feared he might slide off the piano bench at any mo- ment. The audience was spell- bound.


Now at 28, he seems to have lost none of his theatrical flair, nor his willingness to play fast and loose with the tempi of some of the world’s most notable piano concertos. His weekend in San Diego offers the chance to hear his unique interpretations of Beethoven’s Fourth, Schumann’s A minor and that old chestnut, Tchaikovsky’s First, each on dif- ferent days.


Lang Lang gained a strong


groupie following outside the sheltered world of classical mu- sic after his performance at the spectacular opening ceremonies of the 2006 Olympics in Beijing. Then he collaborated with jazz legend Herbie Hancock at the 2008 Grammy Awards, further expanding his considerable fame. Love him or hate him for his musical audacity, Lang Lang sells out most concerts worldwide, as he did last year in San Diego. As CBS’s “60 Minutes” noted, “He’s a spellbinding performer with a flair for drama.”


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For the following weekend of Jan. 21 and 22, a whole new audi- ence may be headed for Copley Symphony Hall as part of the Winter Pops series. Judy Garland aficionados—and you know who you are—will enjoy the diva on two jumbo video screens while guest conductor Doug Katsaros assays the gifts of one of the


greatest divas in show biz. From “The Trolley Song,” written by Encinitas resident Hugh Martin, to standards such as “The Man Who Got Away” and “Over the Rainbow,” the San Diego Symphony will provide an accompaniment befitting a musical legend. Interspersed will be clips from the Emmy Award- nominated CBS series “The Judy Garland Show” showcasing some of her famous film roles. The final weekend concludes Jan 23 with a 2 p.m. reduced- price performance of Saint-Saens “Carnival of the Animals” with Summer Pops conductor Philip Mann bringing to life the furry creatures to a new poetry written by Jack Prelutsky. It’s a great way to introduce children to the joys of classical music in a short concert that even a 4-year-old will find captivating.


That evening, the symphony


takes a break while Tango Buenos Aires, from—where else—Buenos Aires, spin out irresistible movement tapestries punctuated with tango’s proud postures and sensual couplings. If you love the exotic sounds of the bandoleon, small accordion, and amazingly flashy footwork, this is the show for you. It’s an early primer for Valentine’s Day. For concert information and ticket sales, visit sandiegosym- phony.com or call 235-0804. Or visit the Copley Symphony Hall ticket office located in downtown San Diego at 750 B St.u


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