Lang Lang Houston Concert reviews
An unforgettable experience
Lang Lang started with a crisp performance of Bach's Partita No.1 in B-flat Major. This was followed with a highly emotional beginning to Schubert's Sonata in B-flat Major, D.960. It was sensitive, agile and powerful. The Chopin Etudes were played with vim and vigor, as well as passion. Lang Lang's relaxed style led to some incredibly gentle moments, then he'd be back forcefully with fff extravaganzas.
This was a wonderful performance.
There are two places for improvement:
I wanted two tickets - I had to buy two single tickets in two separate transactions - the Ticketron software doesn't seem to be able to say we have two tickets left at different price points and in different parts of the house.
The program notes are wanting - no BWV number on the Bach, no description of the music. I heard a critic on the radio saying the general public don't want to hear when a piece modulates from one key to another. But that's what makes a concert meaningful - explaining the different movements of the Partita, describing how the sonata form is used in the Schubert, for example is interesting. Some people next to me did not go to classical concerts regularly - so a good explanation of the composers, their style, the structure of the music would have helped them.