The piece that makes the pianist Lang Lang rave: a waltz that was probably written by the composer Frédéric (Fryderyk) Chopin (1810-1849) lasts less than a minute and a half. Lang Lang has now recorded the song with the title “The Waltz in A minor “Found in New York””. It sounds a lot like Chopin, the 42-year-old told the German Press Agency: “The harmonies, the poetry, the structure. As I understand it, it’s Chopin.”
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For the world of classical music, it’s great that there is a new piece that people in the 21st century haven’t heard yet. Take a fresh look at this great tradition. And it would be great to discover even more works by great composers, perhaps Brahms or Rachmaninoff, said Lang Lang on the sidelines of his appearance at the “Bambi” awards in Munich. The digital single, released by Deutsche Grammophon, is available now.
Short and straightforward
The Chopin waltz is not very complicated, but rather easy to play. “Anyone who can play the piano can play it.” However, the piece is very short: less than 90 seconds. “If you play very slowly, it’s maybe 90 seconds,” Lang Lang said with a smile.
The pianist described the small work as very melancholic. It sounds like you’re coming out of dark clouds and reading a poem. And then you hear it again and feel a little better. “But only a little, a slight hope.”
Music as medicine
«Especially in today’s world, we need music more than ever. There are many problems and a lot of tension. Music melts the heart and makes problems forgotten. In a way, music is good medicine,” said Lang Lang, and continued: “Whether you listen to a Schumann symphony or Beethoven’s Ninth – it is always a healing process.” It’s like we’re busy and anxious and then we take a deep breath. “This music is like a little vacation.”
Chopin was one of his favorite composers, Lang Lang said. «He was my absolute favorite when I was a child. But when I grew up, there were so many other composers that I also thought were great.” Chopin is as important to a pianist as Paganini is to a violinist.
According to the New York Times, the piece was discovered by chance in the Morgan Museum in Manhattan by curator Robinson McClellan while sorting through cultural collectibles. The work, which is quite short at 48 bars, is simply titled “Valse” (Waltz) and the name Chopin, the newspaper reported. According to several experts, it was said to have come from Chopin’s pen. It contains typical penmanship elements of the Polish composer – but no signature.
The piece that makes the pianist Lang Lang rave: a waltz that was probably written by the composer Frédéric (Fryderyk) Chopin (1810-1849) lasts less than a minute and a half. Lang Lang has now recorded the song with the title “The Waltz in A minor “Found in New York””. It sounds a lot like Chopin, the 42-year-old told the German Press Agency: “The harmonies, the poetry, the structure. As I understand it, it’s Chopin.”
For the world of classical music, it’s great that there is a new piece that people in the 21st century haven’t heard yet. Take a fresh look at this great tradition. And it would be great to discover even more works by great composers, perhaps Brahms or Rachmaninoff, said Lang Lang on the sidelines of his appearance at the “Bambi” awards in Munich. The digital single, released by Deutsche Grammophon, is available now.
