Lang Lang pays an irresistible tribute to the ‘French Beethoven’

Megastar pianist Lang Lang tackles two of Saint-Saens’ most popular works in his irresistible new double album.

Pianist Lang Lang perfomstwo of Saint-Saens works on his new album. Picture: Ian Ach/Getty Images

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The composer Camille Saint-Saens was considered by some to be France’s answer to Beethoven, while others thought he was a grumpy old conservative who was scathingly critical of the new wave of French Impressionism from Debussy and Ravel. He famously said that he thought Stravinsky was insane!

Nowadays we just value his music, and there’s no doubt that he created some of the most intellectually satisfying and enjoyable works of the 19th century Romantic era. Full of memorable melodies, subtle orchestration and some top-notch operas, his repertoire was substantial, but only a handful of his works are regularly performed. He certainly merits further exploration for there are all sorts of gems to be uncovered on CD and streaming platforms.

Two of his popular masterpieces, The Carnival of Animals and the second piano concerto, find their way on to the latest release on Deutsche Grammophon by Chinese megastar Lang Lang. He is joined for the two piano version of Carnival by his German Korean wife Gina Alice and the Gewandhausorchester conducted by Andris Nelsons.

Lang Lang’s new album is out now.

Stretching to a generous one hour and 47 minutes, this is a must-have double album for all the family. Children will love Carnival with its lumbering elephant double bass solo, pianists practising their scales, the hopping kangaroos and, of course, the graceful swan cello solo.

Lang Lang considers the second piano concerto “magnificent but underrated” and this performance certainly sparkles brightly, from its nod to Bach in the organ-like solo introduction, through its irresistible scherzo second movement to its exciting and catchy finale.

The soloist is on top form, and Nelsons and the Leipzig band make this the go-to recorded version of the work.

From Saint-Saens Lang Lang turns to popular solo pieces by a who’s who of French composers, including some by the long-ignored works of women like Louise, Ferrenc, Charlotte Sohy, Germaine Tailleferre, Mel Bonis and Lili Boulanger. Among the “hits” are arrangements of the Flower Duet from Leo Delibes’ Lakme, Gabriel Faure’s Pavane and In Paradisum from the Requiem, and Maurice Ravel’s evergreen Pavane pour une infante defunte.

Gina Alice joins Lang Lang for Claude Debussy’s enchanting Petite suite and this elegantly produced release is capped by excellent liner notes by Limelight editor-at-large Clive Paget.

This is one you’ll want to play over and over again.

Lang Lang Saint-Saens is available from Presto Classical for $34.25 (2 CDs), $24.75 (MP3 download) or $68.50 (vinyl).