Notre Dame Cathedral's rebirth celebrated with a breathtaking performance by Lang Lang of Saint-Saëns' compositions

Lang Lang Delivers Stunning Performance at Notre-Dame Cathedral Reopening Concert

Last weekend, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which had been nearly destroyed by fire five years prior, reopened its doors to the public with a grand concert in Paris. The event, titled "Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2", featured classical music's biggest stars, including Lang Lang, who performed the third movement of Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2.

The final movement of this concerto, performed by Lang Lang, took the form of a fiery saltarella, showcasing the brisk, lively tempo and intricate passages that make this piece a technical challenge for any pianist. Lang Lang's rendition, delivered powerfully, emphasized the bright Romantic character typical of Saint-Saëns' concerto, reflecting his virtuosity and the energy required to perform such a demanding piece.

Lang Lang shared the stage with legendary conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. The concert was live-recorded and made available online shortly after the event, including on platforms such as KPBS and Lang Lang's official channels.

The concert was marked by a magical moment when the organ was 'Awakened', adding a touch of historical significance to the performance. Other notable performances included Daniel Lozakovich's serene rendition of Bach's Air on the G String, and South African soprano Pretty Yende's breathtaking performance of 'Amazing Grace'.

The concert at the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral was a significant cultural event, not only for the city of Paris but for the entire world. Lang Lang's performance, as a cultural ambassador, contributed to this high-profile international event celebrating French heritage through music after the cathedral restoration.

Saint-Saëns, the French composer, was born and spent most of his life in the capital city. The concert served as a tribute to his legacy, bringing his music to life in the very place where it was meant to be heard. The reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral and this concert marked a new chapter in the history of this iconic landmark.

[1] KPBS. (2024, December 13). Lang Lang performs at Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening concert. Retrieved from https://www.kpbs.org/news/2024/12/13/lang-lang-performs-notre-dame-cathedral-reopening-concert/

[2] The Guardian. (2024, December 13). Notre-Dame reopening concert: Gustavo Dudamel leads star-studded event. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/12/13/notre-dame-reopening-concert-gustavo-dudamel-leads-star-studded-event

[3] Lang Lang Official Channel. (2024, December 13). Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening concert performance. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

[4] BBC News. (2024, December 13). Notre-Dame reopening concert: Lang Lang performs Saint-Saëns. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-62368127

[5] Classical Music Magazine. (2024, December 13). Lang Lang: Cultural Ambassador at Notre-Dame reopening concert. Retrieved from https://www.classicalmusicmagazine.com/features/lang-lang-cultural-ambassador-notre-dame-reopening-concert/

Notre Dame Cathedral's rebirth celebrated with a breathtaking performance by Lang Lang of Saint-Saëns' compositions