A Review on Lang Lang and his Friends at Carnegie Hall

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-Lang Lang with violinist David Chan and cellist Hai-Ye Ni. Concert photos ©2009 Chris Lee

-Marc Yu performs Schubert’s Rondo in A Major with Lang Lang.

-Lang Lang & Friends take a bow Concert photos ©2009 Chris Lee.

At Carnegie, Lang Lang's humility and generosity were amply on display. This was an evening in which he would introduce us to his friends -- young performers on the cusp of success, others of great talent who had not shared his luck.  Mrs. Arthur Schwartz  ("Dancing in the Dark") used to sit with her young son at the piano while he practiced, because he got so lonely staring at his Czerny exercise book. Introducing 10 year old Marc Yu, who was making his Carnegie debut, Lang Lang was a caring paternal presence.  While Mr. Yu is familiar to the concert stage having appeared in solo recitals and on numerous A list TV shows like Oprah and Leno, sitting with his mentor to perform Schubert for four hands, you sensed a comfortability-- the gift of the second pair of hands, playing the lower registers, providing support, letting the youngster shine.  As their bodies moved together, the bond and inspiration was apparent. Lang Lang tells us that Schubert composed this four hand music to be played among friends, so the stage was perfectly set for evening.

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