Lang Lang’s physical movement, something for which he has been criticized, didn’t seem extraneous or distracting at this concert, but he conveyed a palpable warmth and charisma throughout the evening. "Quiet before the storm" passages were especially thrilling as he ended each ballade with blurred fingers racing to climatic endings.
The concert began with three Mozart sonatas, numbers 4, 5 and 8. The 5th sonata’s opening was unhurried, showing plenty of daylight between notes, then alternated between lingering melodic sweetness and left-hand bombast.
Though technically transparent, Lang Lang seemed to gravitate toward stylistic excess during the Mozart works, especially during the slow movements of the 5th and 8th sonatas. Paradoxically, the 4th sonata’s opening Adagio movement was exquisitely interpreted with breathtaking delicacy and a melody that seemed to suspend time.
The quicker movements were also dazzling with mercurial runs and tasteful trills that ended many passages.
The near capacity audience noisily applauded at the end of the concert, earning two encores, a beautifully sculpted Chopin Nocturne and the same composer’s famous show-stopping Waltz in D-flat Major, "Minute Waltz."
The pianist phenom lived up to his billing, creating a memorable evening — something that will have increased meaning, especially if Lang Lang’s stratospheric trajectory continues on course.