Lang Lang and Hancock announce extraordinary London performance
“…a genre-crossing revamp of George Gershwin’s ”Rhapsody In Blue” was the perfect showcase for these two hugely talented ivory tinklers” – Entertainment Weekly on 50th Grammy Awards performance.
After their duelling-keys performance together of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue at the 50th Grammy Awards the hottest pianist on the classical music planet, Lang Lang and iconic jazz pianist Herbie Hancock will join forces in concert for a limited number of European and North American dates later this year.
The pair will perform at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 11th July 2009. Tickets for this unique performance will go on sale Friday 27th February at 9am. Lang Lang and Herbie will be performing a programme that will include Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in arrangement for two pianos and orchestra, Vaughan-Williams Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra plus solo, duo and four hand repertoire for piano accompanied by the Philharmonia Orchestra and conducted by John Axelrod.
Heralded as the “hottest artist on the classical music planet” by the New York Times, 26-year-old Lang Lang has played sold out recitals and concerts in every major city in the world and is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the top American orchestras.
In August 2008, over 5 billion people viewed Lang Lang’s performance in Beijing’s opening ceremony for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad where he was seen as a symbol of the youth and future of China. He has played with the world’s best orchestras and with the most renowned conductors.
Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music with an illustrious career spanning five decades and 12 Grammy® Awards.
He began playing piano at the age of seven years old and later won the attention of the legendary Miles Davis joining his band from 1963-1968. Hancock was one of the first jazz musicians to embrace the use of synthesizers and explore funk, resulting in many “cross over” successes like “Cantaloupe Island”, “Watermelon Man”, “Chameleon” and “Rockit”. His 2007 album, “River: The Joni Letters” won the 2008 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, only the second time a jazz album has won the award. The Philharmonia Orchestra is one of the world’s great orchestras.
Acknowledged as the UK’s foremost musical pioneer, with an extraordinary recording legacy, the Philharmonia leads the field for its quality of playing, and for its innovative approach to audience development, residencies, music education and the use of new technologies in reaching a global audience. It is committed to presenting the same quality, live music-making in venues throughout the country as it brings to London and the great concert halls of the world. Full ticket details Saturday 11th July 2009 – Royal Albert Hall