OTTAWA, ON – What does piano orchestra with a 100 kids from Ottawa sound like? Surprisingly good, actually. As part of the National Arts Centre Orchestra season launch last week, renowned pianist Lang Lang joined the newly minted NACO Artistic Director Alexander Shelley to present an afternoon masterclass to 6-18 year-old pianists from across Ottawa.
Wearing white shirts and black pants, 100 eager kids took to the 50 pianos on stage donated by Roland Canada for the event. A mixture of proud parents, the curious, and diehard Lang Lang fans filled the audience.
Hosted by Julie Le Gal, the program included Schubert’s Marche militaire, Op. 51, No 1; Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F-sharp; Michael Torke’s “Tiger in the Sun,” and plenty of banter in between.
The mood was light and full of Lang Lang’s signature style presented with enthusiasm for the next generation of pianists.
Conductor Alexander Shelley looked to be having fun and offered his own advice to the wide-eyed kids.
The kids had an opportunity to ask Lang Lang questions, which included, “What is your most memorable concert,” “Do you still get nervous,” “How many hours do you practice,” “What is the best way to get children interested in Classical Music,” and “What made you want to start playing music.”
Lang Lang screened his favourite cartoon: Tom and Jerry’s “The Cat Concerto,” and recounted first hearing Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2,” as a significant event in his early musical life.
The participants were selected from a range of musical experience and abilities, meeting for the first time together for the event. The opportunity to personally meet one the classical rock stars of the world is a memory they won’t soon forget.
101 Pianist is the brainchild of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and is dedicated to cultivating tomorrow’s top pianists and building a young audience.
Clip: Schubert’s Marche militaire, Op. 51 from Friday afternoons masterclass: Video: Musical Toronto
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