Christopher Langdown Live in London
This 2-CD set contains the whole of an acclaimed recital at the Wigmore Hall, London, on 9 June 2009 by the awesomely talented young British pianist Christopher Langdown, who gives phenomenal performances of Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata and other virtuoso works, as well as the world premiere of his own Deo Omnis Gloria, a very fine set of three neo-romantic pieces conceived in the late 19th-century style. This debut album shows yet another remarkable talent in the world of modern pianism.
Track Listing
-
Moritz Moskowski:
- 4 Moments Musicaux, Op. 84 − No. 1 in B flat major (1:24)
- 4 Moments Musicaux, Op. 84 − No. 2 in F major (2:27)
- 4 Moments Musicaux, Op. 84 − No. 3 in C minor (2:09)
- 4 Moments Musicaux, Op. 84 − No. 4 in G major (1:52) Claude Debussy:
- Preludes, Book II − No. 3 - La Puerta del Vino (3:24)
- Preludes, Book II − No. 5 - Bruyeres (2:56)
- Preludes, Book II − No. 6 - General Lavine, Eccentric (2:33)
- Preludes, Book II − No. 7 - La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune (4:23)
- Preludes, Book II − No. 8 - Ondine (3:22)
- Preludes, Book II − No. 10 - Canope (2:43)
- Preludes, Book II − No. 12 - Feux d'artifice (4:58) Ludwig van Beethoven:
- Piano Sonata in D minor, ("Tempest"), Op, 31 No. 2 − I. Largo - allegro (9:17)
- Piano Sonata in D minor, ("Tempest"), Op, 31 No. 2 − II. Adagio (7:22)
- Piano Sonata in D minor, ("Tempest"), Op, 31 No. 2 − III. Allegretto (8:18) Frank Bridge:
- Dramatic Fantasia (11:01) Christopher Langdown:
- Deo Omnis Gloria − I. Hymn (4:15)
- Deo Omnis Gloria − II. Lake of Gennesaret (2:49)
- Deo Omnis Gloria − III. Resurrection (4:19) Alexander Scriabin:
- Etude in C sharp minor, Op. 2 No. 1 (2:47)
- Etude in C sharp major, Op. 8 No. 1 (1:36)
- Etude in F sharp minor, Op. 8 No. 2 (1:47)
- Etude in E major, Op. 8 No. 5 (2:22)
- Etude in G sharp minor, Op. 8 No. 9 (4:45)
- Etude in B flat minor, Op 8 No. 11 (4:06)
- Etude in D sharp minor, Op. 8 No. 12 (3:02) Erik Satie
- Gnossienne No. 1 in F minor (3:21)
Reviews
“Christopher Langdown’s immense musicality and unimpeachable musicianship places him in the mind of this listener as one of the finest pianists of Great Britain. Langdown’s programming is both delightfully ironic and brilliant, and it keeps the listener interested during nearly two hour’s worth of lovely music making. Beyond that reading his insightful program notes further enhances the experience.
” —Rafael de Acha
“Langdown is an accomplished and polished artist who, I would submit, possesses the musical intelligence and sensitivity to hear the voices of a number of different composers and to speak to us in their individual tongues. With [Deo Omnis Gloria], Langdown demonstrates his considerable talent for composition as well as for the piano. Strongly recommended.
” —Jerry Dubins
“This CD… presents to us a young pianist whose versatility could lead to a bright future. Christopher Langdown seems to feel right at home no matter which composer he tackles. The variety of the pieces on this recording is enough to satisfy any piano lover’s appetite, and might even present new discoveries to some and shed some new light on old favourites. The recording fully captures the recital’s atmosphere and nervous energy, and delivers a focused and solid sound throughout.
” —Jean-Yves Duperron
“Once you get used to the slightly recessed but very clean sound from Wigmore Hall, this recital becomes very impressive. .. A mind that considers every detail, yet carefully avoids any feeling of the ordinary or academic.
” —Becker
“Christopher Langdown has a lovely tone, smooth legato and a technique equal to the pianistic challenges in this programme. A really good pianist.
” —Stephen Pruslin
“The young pianist and composer Christopher Langdown’s programme at Wigmore Hall on June 9 th was certainly a demanding one, but a challenge to which he rose admirably. The range of repertoire appeared on paper to be particularly wide, but in practice subtle threads ran between the pieces, from Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata (Opus 31 No […]
” —Alexander Leonard
