The Disney Book

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He said, “When I was thirteen, I visited Tokyo Disneyland; it was the first time I had heard ‘It’s a Small World’ and the melody stayed with me all day – and long afterwards. Deutsche Grammophon has released The Disney Book, a new album featuring classic Disney songs reimagined by Grammy Award-nominated pianist Lang Lang. That includes the solo piano version that Lang Lang plays at home, a dazzling virtuosic piece that appears alongside a wide range of transcriptions of Disney songs new and old. The album’s first single, ‘Feed the Birds’ from Mary Poppins, which Walt Disney famously declared to be his favourite Disney melody, is out now. Gifted with unique artistic and communicative skills, Lang Lang unites excellence and accessibility unlike anyone else, and builds bridges between Eastern and Western culture.

Lang Lang – The Disney Book (2022, CD) - Discogs Lang Lang – The Disney Book (2022, CD) - Discogs

If I had to choose one Disney melody,” says Lang Lang, “it would have to be ‘When You Wish Upon a Star. At a glance, this could be a summer concert at an historic stately home – were it not for the pastel-pink lighting and medieval-style crests. In celebration of 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, internationally acclaimed pianist Lang Lang is releasing brand new arrangements of iconic Disney melodies in his upcoming album, ‘The Disney Book. Some of the world’s top arrangers, including Sir Stephen Hough, Natalie Tenenbaum and Randy Kerber, created new solo piano and orchestral versions of Disney’s iconic melodies, evoking the soundscapes of Debussy and Chopin, as well as the virtuosity of Liszt and Horowitz.

This enchanting musical journey features new versions of songs from Pinocchio and The Jungle Book to Frozen and Aladdin, reimagined for solo piano or piano and full orchestra especially for him by some of the world’s top arrangers. This enchanting musical journey through iconic movie melodies, reimagined in new versions written especially for him by some of the world’s leading arrangers, invites fans of all ages to enjoy classical music through Lang Lang’s unique interpretations. The album will be released on 16 September on Deutsche Grammophon in collaboration with Disney Music Group, and the first single, ‘Feed The Birds’ from 1964 film, Mary Poppins, is already out. Captured as dawn broke over the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle at the Disneyland Park, the music video captures the magic of Lang Lang’s album and of Walt Disney’s legacy.

Lang Lang and Disney - Lang Lang’s albums, age, wife and more Lang Lang and Disney - Lang Lang’s albums, age, wife and more

Its tracklist stretches back to “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” from Three Little Pigs (1933) and “When You Wish Upon a Star” from Pinocchio (1940) and embraces such contemporary hits as “Remember Me” from Coco (2017) and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto (2021).He subsequently went to Philadelphia to study with legendary pianist Gary Graffman at the Curtis Institute of Music. He also played a headline Royal Albert Hall concert of Disney music, which will be broadcast by Disney+ in September 2023. An upright piano was duly added to the family furniture and piano lessons to the three-year-old Lang’s routine soon after. In celebration of 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, globally acclaimed piano virtuoso Lang Lang releases his latest album, The Disney Book, inviting fans of all ages to enjoy classical music through his unique interpretations. There are also guest appearances from guitaristMiloš, Chinese erhu playerGuo Gan, and Lang Lang’s wifeGina Alice, plus theRoyal Philharmonic Orchestraand conductorRobert Ziegler.

Lang Lang | News | Lang Lang Celebrates 100 Years of Disney Lang Lang | News | Lang Lang Celebrates 100 Years of Disney

On Monday 24 October 2022, Lang Lang comes to the Royal Albert Hall in London for a special Disney themed concert, performing new arrangements from his upcoming album, The Disney Book. The recording is a magical gift for all generations and is especially significant for Lang Lang as he recently became a father. The inspiration for this album came from Lang Lang’s own personal journey and history with Disney films. This enchanting musical journey features new arrangements, written especially for him, of iconic movie melodies and star guests including Andrea Bocelli, Jon Batiste and Sebastián Yatra.The Disney Book, released in time for the Walt Disney Company’s centenary year, covers a broad sweep of movie history and musical styles. Animated characters, he adds, are not constrained by national boundaries or narrow cultural conventions. It’s a melody that stayed with the musician for a long time afterwards – and now features on the new album. He is also the recipient of honorary doctorates from the Royal College of Music, the Manhattan School of Music and New York University. The power of animation to inspire young minds and introduce millions to classical music stands behind Lang Lang’s latest album for Deutsche Grammophon.

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Among the starry composers is pianist Stephen Hough, who is responsible for the new arrangement of ‘Feed the Birds’, alongside sparkling versions of ‘The Bare Necessities’ (from The Jungle Book, 1967) and ‘Do You Want to Build A Snowman? Acclaimed pianist Lang Lang launches his new album The Disney Book, filming the music video for his new single ‘Feed the Birds’ at sunrise in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park in California. Fleet-fingered glissandos, scurrying basslines and intricately carved melodies fill the solo piano versions of ‘Whistle While You Work’ ( Snow White, 1937) and the theme to 1991’s Beauty and the Beast. Lang’s collaborators featured on the release include Andrea Bocelli who performs the Italian version of Phil Collins’ You’ll Be in My Heart from Tarzan, Sebastián Yatra who performs the Lin Manuel-Miranda-penned Dos Oruguitas from Encanto and Jon Batiste who performs his song It’s All Right from Pixar’s Soul. When I was a kid I loved watching Mickey Mouse,” remembers Lang Lang, “And, later, I liked The Lion King – it was so touching, especially when Mufasa dies.I am so happy with the Latino-style songs we have included in The Disney Book,” he adds, “they bring a freshness to the recording.