Posted on: June 3, 2009 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 1

The classical megastar, Lang Lang, and iconic jazz pianist, Herbie Hancock, will pair up in concert for an inaugural world tour this summer. Following their highly successful 2008 Grammy® highlight performance of “Rhapsody in Blue,” it seemed only natural that the pair would bring their unique backgrounds to an even greater collaboration on the world stage. The two pianists kick of this unprecedented tour at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland on July 5th and will play in France, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Italy and across the US. Gracing prestigious venues across the globe, including the famed Royal Albert Hall, London and the spectacular Arena di Verona, Italy, the tour will culminate at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on August 7th and 8th.

Lang Lang and Herbie Hancock will be performing Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” in arrangement for two pianos and orchestra and Vaughan-Williams “Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra,” conducted by John Axelrod. Each performance will feature the accompaniment of a world-class orchestra from the hosting city. The program will also showcase solo, duo and four-hand repertoire for pianos.

Heralded as the “hottest artist on the classical music planet” by the New York Times, 26-year-old Lang Lang has played sold out recitals and concerts in every major city in the world and is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the top American orchestras. In August 2008, over 5 billion people viewed Lang Lang’s performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympic opening ceremony. As well as touring non-stop worldwide to sold-out crowds, Lang Lang recently launched the Lang Lang International Music Foundation to foster classical music education for children.

Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music with an illustrious career spanning five decades and 12 Grammy® Awards. He began playing piano at the age of seven years old and later won the attention of the legendary Miles Davis, joining his band from 1963-1968. Hancock was one of the first jazz musicians to embrace the use of synthesizers and explore funk, resulting in many cross over successes like “Cantaloupe Island”, “Watermelon Man”, “Chameleon” and “Rockit.” His 2007 album, “River: The Joni Letters,” won the 2008 Grammy® Award for Album of the Year, only the second time a jazz album has won the award.

EUROPE

July 5th

Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland

L’Auditorium Stravinski

July 6th

Lyon, France

Grand Théâtre Romain de Fourvière

July 10th

Essen, Germany

Philharmonie Essen – Alfried Krupp Saal

July 11th

London, England

Royal Albert Hall

July 12th

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Ahoy Theater

July 13th

Verona, Italy

L’Arena de Verona

July 16th

Ljubliana, Slovenia

(TBC)

July 18th

Ravenna, Italy

Pala De Andrè Arena

NORTH AMERICA

July 28th

Chicago, IL

Ravinia Pavilion

July 30th

Philadelphia, PA

Mann Center for the Performing Arts

August 1st

Newark, New Jersey

Prudential Hall

August 5th

Toronto

Massey Hall

August 7th

Los Angeles, CA

Hollywood Bowl

August 8th

Los Angeles, CA

Hollywood Bowl

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