Like a rock star

Mozart was a child prodigy who stunned Europe and his works are considered masterpieces to this day. Liszt was a great pianist and played to many sold-out concerts long ago. Ditto with Strauss II whose waltzes were like the disco tunes of his era or even the Russian pianist Vladimir Horowitz of the more recent past. Listening to their works or reading about them have given me the idea that these artists must have been like the rock stars of their time, idolized everywhere they went.

That’s the key phrase, everywhere they went. They all had to go on tour to gain fans because they all came from an earlier time. In fact, I do not think any of them ever thought it possible or even imagined performing and being watched by billions of people at the same time. Billions watched Chinese pianist Lang Lang when he performed at the opening of the Beijing Olympics. Only 27 and totally impressive, Lang who had been playing the piano since he was three and winning competitions since he was five, was indeed like a rock star during that moment.

Those who want to hear more of Lang and who want to find out what the fuss about this kid is about, will be glad to know that his Live In Vienna album is now available. This was recorded at the Musikvereinssaal on the last leg of a successful tour around the world. Included are his first ever recording of two Beethoven sonatas, the Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 2 and the Piano Sonata No. 23, Op. 57, popularly known as the Appassionata. Also in his repertoire are Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 7 Op. 83 and Iberia, Book 1 by Albeniz. Then because this year marks Chopin’s 200th anniversary, Lang Lang included three of the Polish composer’s most beautiful works: Etude Op. 25, No. 1; Polonaise No. 6, Op. 53, also known as the Heroic; and the Grande Valse Brilliante No. 2, Op. 34 No. 1.

The repertoire makes an excellent sampler about what Lang can do. There is the show off stuff, Appassionata, the crowd pleasers Chopin’s waltz and polonaise and for variety, the modern Prokofiev to showcase the hammer fingers. The gem here though is the Albeniz. Too bad it is only Book One. Still it is more than enough to give us an idea of how much more we can expect from Lang. The melody sings of Spain and it is beautiful. And his fingers present Iberia as part gypsy, part Moor, bathed in sunshine or prostrate in battle but always magnificent.

 Wow is all one can say. Double wow when you consider this is a live recording. Nothing needs be said anymore.

Bugs Bunny At The Symphony

And because Lang Lang’s first encounter with classical music was while watching a Tom & Jerry cartoon, I thought it would be nice to segue from his Vienna recording to Bugs Bunny At The Symphony featuring the Sydney Symphony conducted by George Daugherty at the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

You know Bugs? He is not really a likeable bunny but he is one of the biggest stars of Warner Bros. cartoon shorts. This album is from a show wherein a live symphony orchestra plays music while classic Looney Tunes films are projected on the screen. It started with Bugs Bunny On Broadway on Broadway 20 years ago. It turned out so successful, they decided to do others and this one is the latest.

Unfortunately what we have here is not a DVD wherein you can listen to the music and also watch Bugs and Elmer and Daffy and Tasmi and Porky, etc. on the screen. But fortunately too, the films are so familiar that you can close your eyes, listen to the music and easily imagine what is going on. And I do not mean just Tom & Jerry or Sylvester and Tweety from the old days, newer stars are also represented like Scooby Doo and The Flintstones.

The music for these were those created by Carl Stalling and Milt Franklin. But they mostly based their score on pieces by Liszt, Wagner, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Rossini, Smetana, Strauss II and others. The adaptations are pure genius. Here once more is proof that true music, good music does not only stand the test of time. It can also stand anything, even the misadventures of Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote.

Forget that idea that this is a CD for kids, although they might also enjoy it. Bugs Bunny At The Symphony is for anybody like you and me who ever enjoyed a Warner Bros. cartoon. I know there are a lot of us who will love this album.