A new way to key into classical music

If Frederic Chopin's music can be described as an apple pie with whipped cream on top, then Franz Liszt's would taste spicy, Johann Sebastian Bach's could be likened to fine bread, and that of Ludwig van Beethoven would be stewed pork knuckle. Spanish seafood paella or Russian borscht would also be great.

That is the way pianist Lang Lang introduced classical composers he appreciates to an audience of all ages and walks of life in Beijing on Jan 25.

Have a balanced diet and be open to every type of music, suggests the musician, who is a household name in China.

The 41-year-old has been keenly promoting classical music to a wider audience in recent years. He believes the diverse genre can be enjoyed in multiple ways, either as background music at work or on a subway trip, as a way of cheering up when feeling gloomy, or an intensive auditory and visual feast in concert halls.

Since he was speaking to a crowd of laypeople, Lang avoided using technical vocabulary but answered the abstract question — how he expresses music that's so rigorous in its structure in his own style — with a concrete and visual explanation. That is, by analyzing the composers' handwritten scores.

For example, he says that Beethoven composed in an authoritative way, delineating things clearly in detail like a series of laws to follow. But people can also feel what he wanted when they see his wild scribbles jotted down for a presto segment.

Bach, however, would leave the grace notes for players themselves to decide as they saw fit, embellishing his pieces on the basis of the structural framework he built.

In general, classical music is about accuracy and delicacy, but players still have to pay attention to make sure they are not too stiff, Lang says.

He made these comments while speaking at a "Today at Apple" session at the Apple Store in Beijing's Sanlitun as an artist ambassador for Apple Music Classical, a standalone app designed specially for the genre, which launched its Chinese version on Jan 24.

Among the app's library of more than 5 million songs are pieces by modern Chinese composers, including Nie Er (1912-35), who composed the Chinese national anthem, March of the Volunteers; Huang Zi (1904-38), who wrote the patriotic song, Kang Di Ge (Song of Fighting Against the Enemy); and Xian Xinghai (1905-45), who composed Yellow River Cantata.

Contemporary Chinese composers Tan Dun and Zhao Jiping, who are particularly known for their film and TV series soundtracks, also have music available through the app.

Lang says any music passed down through the ages and welcomed by generations can be called "classical", and this category is by no means as far removed from daily life as some imagine.

"We welcome more attention to classical music, which also includes Chinese music and both modern and ancient pieces. It's a good thing that world music from different times, styles and cultural backgrounds will be included (in the app)," he tells China Daily.

The pianist particularly stresses the demanding sound quality required to convey the plentiful details in classical music — which coincides with Apple's pursuit of expanding the application of its Spatial Audio technology support provided by Dolby Atmos — and the benefit of promoting music appreciation and education, as well as generating more exposure for emerging musicians.

Lang sees the launch of a dedicated streaming platform like Apple Music Classical as a win-win opportunity for both the company and listeners.

It's also worth mentioning that digital technology and streaming platforms have lowered the cost for ordinary people to enjoy quality classical music, he adds.

"Everything we do comes down to our deep love for music," says Oliver Schusser, global head of Apple Music. "Classical is so foundational to music of all genres. … I am excited to make it available to even more listeners all around the world today."

Apple Music subscribers can download the app as part of their existing subscriptions at no additional cost.

Apart from Lang, the China NCPA Orchestra — the resident orchestra of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing — and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra have become partner organizations with the streaming platform, through which exclusive content will be made available.

However, live shows are truly irreplaceable to the classical genre.

"Don't stop coming to concerts after you get this app. Or else we (musicians) will be crying in the bathroom," Lang says, jokingly.

The pianist points to his performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations as a sign of change — that is, as a moment when he started to put more emphasis on the depth of his music.

"It's not that I don't continue to polish my skills anymore," he says, adding that at a certain point, there was no longer a need to prove his skill to the audience.

"It's definitely not my goal to play Rachmaninoff's third piano concerto (Piano Concerto No 3 in D Minor, Op 30) faster at the age of 50," he says.

Now, he's turning his attention to Beethoven's later sonatas, which arouse his desire to explore the philosophy of the music, French pieces that he wants to present with inner maturity, and some new compositions he has never tried before.

On March 1, he plans to release his new album, Lang Lang — Saint-Saens, which focuses on the work of French composers, including Charles Camille Saint-Saens, Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Faure and female French composers who are often neglected. He plays alongside his wife, Gina Alice Redlinger, on some of the pieces.

"It's my first time recording French music, which is multilayered in terms of sound and more sentimental. I hope this album with its feeling of French perfume will bring the audience fresh experiences," he says.

"As I grow older, experience more, and see a lot of ups and downs, it becomes easier for me to calm down, eliminate external interference and simply focus on things that I think I should do. No matter what's happening or what mood I'm in, as long as I sit down at the piano, I'm concentrating."