Is Lang Lang the best pianist in the world?!
Question: Some people say that he's phony and doesn't know what a phrase is, but I think he's really good.
Answers: Some people say that he's phony and doesn't know what a phrase is, but I think he's really good.
There is no number 1 pianist in the world. Everyone will have their favorites and those they don't like.
Music is very subjective and its not fair to say someone is better than others. Angela Hewitt is not better than Lang Lang like someone said, however, Lang Lang is not better than Angela Hewitt.
I have worked with Angela Hewitt before and she is an excellent interpretor of Bach's music. She won the 1986 International Bach Comeptition that celebrated the 200th anniversary of Bach's passing. She has recorded all of his works and now has begun work on Rameau and Ravel.
Lang Lang however does not play Bach as much. He is known for his romantic and early 20th century work. So... how can one compare the two pianists when they play completely different types of repertoire?
As for me, I respect Lang Lang's wonderful talent but I chose to listen to other pianist. The pianist I look up to and adore unfortunately have all passed away - Arthur Rubenstein, Shura Cherkassky, Horowitz, Karl Schnabel, Richter and Rosalyn Turek to name a few.
If you asked Lang Lang, Yundi Li, Martha Argerich, Jon Kimura Parker, Evegny Kissin or Leon Fleischer if they are the best pianist in the world, they would all decline. They wouldn't even suggest the best pianist because there is no such thing. They respect all of their colleagues and the work they do.
I have never thought of who is the best, however I do have those I admirer and enjoy listening too... In the end, i respect them all because they are wonderfully gifted artists who work endlessly as musicians.
In Addition:
Yes, Hewitt has much more experience. I respect her with all my heart as I am lucky to have worked with her, however when did music become sports? We rank the top teams, the top athletes... in music we do not put a rank to each musician. Lang Lang has a career, and so does Angela Hewitt. Do you think they care who is better? From knowing Angela Hewitt, I can tell you that she has never once in her life thought of herself to be better than anyone. She would be embarrassed to hear someone claim her to be a better pianist than another.
He's OK, but my favorite(s) are Katia and Marielle Lebeque. They are sisters who perform together. When they play the works of George Gershwin, they are truly dyn-o-mite!
No, he is not. Nor is anyone else - there can be no such thing as no two pianists are identical and all will have their strengths and weaknesses. Any question asking 'who is best ...' is pointless and meaningless.
Angela Hewitt is better.
He has raw talent and had potential...but he has become a gimmick of sorts due to his over the top flamboyance. Flamboyance is ok if there is deep musicality backing it up...sadly I don't think he has this...and his technique is frankly sloppy at times...(have you seen his version of Liszt's famous hungarian rhapsody? its terrible)...It is aq shame...with more experience and study he could have been good...but his career was pushed way too soon at a point when he was not musically mature. Here are some people you should be listening to instead (among many others of course...),,,they are all still alive...although Ashkenazy conducts more than plays piano now...
Martha Argerich http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8LoC3siq...
Vladimir Ashkenazy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpZr_cbYb...
Evgeny Kissin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y9Wiqsd9...
Ivo Pogorelich http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a-PbeCTN...
Antonio Pompa-Baldi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu-1W1k1Q...
Valentina Lisitsa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS_foc_Nx...
Sergio Tiempo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LnLLt-Pi...
EDIT - btw...Angela Hewitt is better than Lang Lang....yes music is subjective...however...there is also a science to it and there must be a standard for determining talent and proficiency on every instrument and in every aspect of art and music. It is just plain fact that her experience and knowledge of music far outweighs his.
No he's not! I am the best!!!
lol...no, Lang Lang is pretty good...I haven't heard much of his playing but from what I have heard, I like it.
He might not be the best, but he seems the most popular.