As some of you know, after days of struggle, I finally went to see the Carnegie Hall concert featuring Philadelphia Orchestra with conductor Eschenbach, and of course, pianist Lang Lang, playing Beethoven PC 4. Despite of a total of 10 hours transportation time and the mind tension due to safty concerns (it's my first time having to wander on NY busy streets during midnight by myself!) and all the other hassles, the concert was worth going thru them all!
Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the top 5 orchestras in the US (the other four: Chicago SO, Boston SO, NY PO & Cleveland O) It's my first time hearing them live! As of LL, I'd have to say, it's his best performance so far! He was so calm that day, no unnecessary movements or expressions-- probably because this was his second carnegie hall concert right after his first was heavily attacked by Mr. T for his showmanship. I'd definately say a more controlled LL is much more pursuasive. No matter what, he's simply talented and inspiring! Eschenbach did a good job too - I think it must have contributed to controlling tempo so that LL didn't completely "go for freedom ^^". The performance was truly soulful. At the quiter moments, such as right after 1st mvmt cadenza, that was absolute silence created in the audience. I've NEVER EVER experienced a whole room of audience making absolutely no sound, as if we were all muted!!! The old couple in front of me looked at each other with such awe in their eyes and satisfied smiles. That was TRULY a moment, a moment in heaven.
After the concert, I couldn’t wait to try the newly discovered details in that piece I've never realized before right away, but I didn’t have a piano, so I had to wait all day till today. Hey, what I figured really worked! I really know that I’ve improved on piano playing in this past year, and it attributes to Lang Lang solely. The most I learned on piano from him is attention to details, I think. I owe a lot of thanx to him.
I left Carnegie Hall with so much content. It feels like a long-time craving's satisfied. I also got to meet Lang Lang in a close distance during the intermission. I still can’t believe that I did it-- I was really spontaneous. The Beethoven piece with Lang Lang as a soloist was the last piece before intermission. I had so much emotion inside after their performance. After clapping with the audience till my hands felt burning, I left my seat, without knowing where I was going, but my feet led me straight to the backstage.
I was pretty shocked to see that people were actually lining up in front of the backstage door. The “door ladies” checked each person with a list they have on hand. I thought that every ticket holder had the right to go in until that “door lady” told me: “You have to schedule with the artist’s management before the concert in order to go backstage.” I was disappointed and didn’t know what to do. I stood there with brain fast spinning, trying to figure out a way to get in. Luckily and to my surprise, the lady was so kind that she actually smiled to me and said: “actually you know what? Just go.” At the moment I knew a “thank you” was not enough to express my appreciation, but I was incapable of thinking. All of a sudden I was filled with such happiness that actually made my heart pump fast—and that was the moment I felt what being a “fan” is like first time in my life.
I’ve always hated the word “fan”, coz to me it somehow implies shallowness and “blindness.” But with Lang Lang it’s a whole different story and different feeling. Probably because his Beethoven tonight truly touched me deep in, for the moment I was emotionally attached to his performance, or him……. and maybe that is what being a fan means. Well, I still hate to use the word “fan” on myself … So let’s move on from that idea…
Where was I? O yeah, then I went in. All of us were taking the elevator and guess what? In the elevator I saw Lang Lang’s father Lang, Guoren. He was video taping the people who went backstage. Since I read the book about him, I couldn’t stop looking at him—he’s a legendary father in my mind (not saying he’s a good one, but definitely amazing and respectable). Really, I just couldn’t control myself looking at him and trying to greet him. I smiled to him and suddenly he pointed his video camera to me. I quickly turned my head around. Then seconds later, I turned to him again (coz I really wanted to say hi to him :p), then he turned his VC to me again… Man! He just wouldn’t put that thing away! :D so I gave up the idea of talking to him, haha.
The elevator door opened and I joined the line of people waiting to meet Lang Lang. Now I could see him, so I could observe him and the other people. It seemed to me that most people there were likely to be reporters and the so-called friends, mostly in mid age. So when it came to my turn, he actually paused for seconds before saying anything—he must be wondering who I was =D At that moment, I really didn’t know what to say (I didn’t prepare for this) and the line behind me really didn’t allow me to have a nice chat with him. So basically I just greeted/complimented him and asked to take a photo together.
From my encounter with Lang Lang, I actually found him quite different from what I thought before. From those interview video clips, I thought that he’s a “people person”, who knows exactly how to handle different people. However, from my observation this time, he’s very diplomatic, but not as talkative as I thought before. I fully understand that he must be extremely exhausted. After a big concert he couldn’t go home and rest; instead, he had to face all these unrelated people. What’s good besides $$$ in having a big career like he does now and had always strived for? I also could not stop wondering… does he have a real life--Since he’s almost flying and performing on stage everyday in the world, and when he has time, I bet he would be practicing. Or probably this whole thing is indeed his real life and is all that he wants and cares about. I really hope that he could slow down a bit and have some relax.
I’m glad that I had the chance to meet Lang Lang, a genius. To observe more and thus know more about him (I think) is interesting as well, although the encounter was really very brief. I’m sure I will go to more of his concerts, and if there will be a chance, I will talk more to him, just for the sake of curiosity and admiration (I even superficially thought that by standing close to him, I’d gain inspiration.)
It was quite late after the second half was finished. I left the hall with endless excitement and thoughts and let my body and mind wonder on the busy streets in New York. The lights brightened the late night sky; people of all colors still hung around on the streets. All of a suddenly I lost all the worries. I took a deep breath and my lungs were filled with passion and inspiration. At the very moment, I found attached to this air I was breathing. I started to love this place. I knew I would be back again.
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Post By：2005-9-14 0:19:50 [只看该作者]
我问了他些小问题他也很耐心的一一解答，看上去头脑很清醒，不像他的音乐一样弥幻。