Conductor Daniel Harding and pianist Lang Lang have known each other for many years and have shared the stage many times, but in recent years they have rarely had the opportunity to perform together. Because of the "2024 Shanghai New Year Concert", the two celebrities gathered in Shanghai to celebrate the New Year with Shanghai music fans.
On the evening of December 31, Harding, who is also a pilot, will "fly" the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and present a set of Eastern and Western repertoire. In addition to Lang Lang, bamboo flute player Tang Junqiao also joined the scene. This trip was already extremely popular before it even started. Tickets for the concert were sold out within three minutes of opening, and all the extra seats were sold out in seconds.
This is also the second time Harding and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra join hands after the "2020 Shanghai New Year Concert".
Harding, Lang Lang and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra rehearse
"Harding has transformed from a prodigy to a master, and is an example of success."
At the concert, Lang Lang will play his signature piece - Norwegian composer Grieg's "a Piano Concerto in a Minor." This is the composer's only piano concerto, which depicts the magnificent natural scenery and simple folk customs of the Nordic island country.
Lang Lang has collaborated with many conductors such as Simon Rattle and "Big Bear" Thielemann on this piece, but this was his first time performing it with Harding. "He very clearly pointed out some of the things that the band needs to do," he said. The turn-in response was very fast, and a different and beautiful sound was quickly produced."
The two first met in Spain, touring with the London Symphony Orchestra. Harding's first impression of Lang Lang at the time was that he was good at communication. "He would listen to everyone in the band. Each musician would feel like they were playing with Lang Lang, and the audience would also feel that Lang Lang was playing for them." Play." Harding believes that soloists must not only focus on their inner being, but also have an open mind, pay attention to the sounds around them at all times, and listen carefully to other people's performances. "People like Lang Lang are very rare, and I cherish them very much."
Two Musicians They are all famous child prodigies. "A hero emerges from a young age" is the most appropriate way to describe Harding. He was once called "my little genius" by conductor Abbado. "When many child prodigies grow up, the child is still there, but the prodigy disappears. Harding's transformation from a child prodigy to a master is an example of success." Lang Lang, who calls himself "the old prodigy", said with a smile.
"His sense of music was excellent and he was very relaxed. I seemed to be carried flying." Tang Junqiao's impression of Harding's conductor was also accurate and clear. At the concert, she will lead the bamboo flute and symphony orchestra "Prosperity", using the sound of the flute to play a beautiful picture of blooming flowers and thousands of lights.
This is the first time Harding has conducted a Chinese folk musical instrument as a soloist, and the collaboration with Tang Junqiao is like a brand new adventure. His earliest memory of Chinese music comes from his childhood. A Chinese restaurant he often visited often played traditional Chinese music. Chinese restaurants and Chinese music have been tied together since then, forming a happy childhood memory.
Harding at the rehearsal
"People can only live one life, but I want to have two lives."
In addition to his commanding skills, Harding's identity as a pilot is also talked about. From the music scene to the blue sky, he has truly achieved both success and success. A week before
came to Shanghai, Harding was still flying a plane. As a pilot this month and as a conductor the next month, the 48-year-old Harding switches freely between two completely different life states.
"The job of a conductor is wonderful, but after conducting for 25 years, I want to leave some time for myself, do something different, and change my mind." From a novice who knows nothing to driving an airbus (airbus), Harding spent four years on it. If he did not use command but focused on studying, this learning time could be compressed to two years.
At the age of 40, Harding successfully broke through, obtained a professional pilot's license, and began to interact with different groups of people. "People can only live one life, but I want to have two lives. I did it. The only problem is that there is no vacation. ."
When flying, will the melody of music echo in your mind? "No. Only at this time, there is no music in my ears." For Harding, flying is a kind of relaxation and balance besides music.
“I love flying, but I can’t fly one."Flying all over the world every year, airplanes are like Lang Lang's means of transportation to work. He can't even calculate how much time he spends on airplanes in a year. But unfortunately, he has never flown on Air France, which is flown by Harding.
"You Will you believe me? Harding suddenly turned around and asked Lang Lang. "Of course I believe you!" Lang Lang said with a smile.
Lang Lang is 41 years old. Besides music, he loves football most. He likes to watch the Premier League and the Champions League. Now he also plays football with his almost three-year-old son when he has time. Interestingly, football is also played by Harding. His favorite. He is an avid Manchester United fan. In the symphony orchestra he has conducted, many musicians are fans. The biggest topic in everyone's spare time is football.
However, the two fans have not played football together. “I can only watch and talk on paper, even if I kick, it’s just a few shots towards the empty goal. "Lang Lang said with a smile.
Harding and Lang Lang at the interview site
"When you practice piano, you must start from the inside out and love it from the bottom of your heart."
Is it possible to be a conductor like Harding in the future? Lang Lang shook his head quickly, " A person should have a clear understanding of his career and strive to become the person he most wants to be. The pursuit of art must be pure and focused. This is the only way to succeed. "
For example, when practicing piano, at Lang Lang's age, many people no longer pay attention and focus. Lang Lang requires himself to practice piano for two hours a day no matter where he is in the world, no matter how tired or sleepy he is. , “It feels very uncomfortable not to practice, as if I haven’t eaten well, which is even more important than eating. "
" even feels guilty if he doesn't practice piano. "Tang Junqiao has a heavy teaching workload at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and is active on the stage. Practicing the piano is her most relaxed, enjoyable and happiest moment. There is often the sound of the flute in the studio at night.
"Many children in East Asia have been taught since childhood. You are forced to practice the piano, but you must practice it from the inside out and love it from the bottom of your heart. Only then can you continue to practice. " Lang Lang said.
Harding agreed with this view. He has a son and a daughter who both studied music when they were young. His grandmother also spent a lot of time studying with them, but later gave up. "This is very contradictory: on the one hand, To become a professional musician, one must practice hard; on the other hand, the driving force for practice must come from within, and forcing children from the outside will not yield good results. "Have you ever wanted to give up along the way of
's music journey? "Definitely, we are humans, not machines. Sometimes I will collapse a little if I am pushed too hard, but when I hear music, I find that I still love the piano and the joy that music brings. In this process, you will become a better version of yourself and will not give up. "Lang Lang said frankly.
"The road to music requires us to constantly climb to the top. It is very annoying to have stumbling blocks on the road. Once you break through, you will feel very happy. You will find that music is too important to leave it, because you are constantly passing through it. Music perfects oneself. "Tang Junqiao said.
Harding believes that musicians should try to find a spontaneous feeling and constantly find the love for music from within. "This feeling may disappear, but it will always be found and will always come back. Every time you Everyone will fall in love with music again. ”
Harding, Lang Lang and Tang Junqiao (first from right) at the interview site
