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
is there a cd available to be purchased with hancock and lang lang performing rhapsody in blue ???????
Thanks,
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