Land Lang Lang Lang: Memory

If it is possible to play the piano charismatically, then that is what Lang Lang does. His total identification with each piece gives his playing a warmth, a personal touch, that is unique. His performance of Mozart's K. 330 is ideally classical. The opening movement seems played with the fingers just touching the keys. The big Chopin sonata is given an imposing, dignified reading, and Lang Lang plays the frisky scherzo--the most perky one Chopin ever wrote--with obvious glee. The performance of Schumann's "Kinderszenen" is filled with characterization: dreamy, filled with wonderment ("Curious Story"), wackiness ("Catch me if you can"), and stillness ("Child falling asleep"); Lang Lang manages to avoid affectation throughout. A bonus CD offers Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 in Vladimir Horowitz's arrangement and is dizzying in its virtuosity. This is a must-have; Lang Lang is not being over-hyped. --Robert Levine