The Disney Book

Product Information

As a pianist, educator and philanthropist, as well as an influential ambassador for the arts, Lang Lang has fully embraced new technology and innovation, leading the way in bringing classical music into the 21st century. I loved the challenge of transforming these popular songs, beloved by generations of children and parents, into solo piano pieces, rooted in the classical tradition of the great transcribers of the past. The inscription below the pianist’s stool reads ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’, the song featured in 1940 animation Pinocchio and the signature sound of California’s Disneyland Park. The album’s first single releasing today is a song beloved by fans and heralded as Walt Disney’s favorite song from“Mary Poppins:” ‘Feed the Birds. Lang Lang hopes that the album will bring new audiences to the piano – and may even go on to inspire some listeners to explore classical music.

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

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. There’s inevitably room for Elsa’s earworm ballad “Let It Go” from Frozen (2013) and the equally catchy “It’s a Small World” (1964), which Lang first heard as a 13-year-old visitor to Tokyo Disneyland.There are also appearances from singer Andrea Bocelli (‘You’ll Be In My Heart’ from Tarzan, 1999), pianist Jon Batiste (‘It’s All Right’ from Soul, 2020) and guitarist Miloš, who performs ‘Remember Me’ the lullaby from 2017’s Coco. The Disney Book is now available in two different version: the 14-track regular edition and a 28-track deluxe edition. If I had to choose one Disney melody,” says Lang Lang, “it would have to be ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’.

The Disney Book (Deluxe Edition) - Album by Lang Lang ‎The Disney Book (Deluxe Edition) - Album by Lang Lang

He has also performed for numerous other international dignitaries, including four US presidents and monarchs from many nations. You cannot just jump around from Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes, The Transformers, Japanese manga and The Flintstones. 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. The album has been a highly collaborative project, bringing together artists from across the world to create the very best selection of arrangements. A truly international production (recording sessions took place in London, New York, Shanghai and Paris), The Disney Book traces the history of music in Disney films from the 1920s to the present day, whilst also reflecting Lang Lang’s own personal journey.Ranging from Pinocchio and The Jungle Book and Frozen to Encanto, the album also includes several collaborators from across the globe. The Disney Book taps into the legacy of one of the most influential cultural enterprises of the last century, a claim supported by the deep penetration of Disney soundtracks into childhood memories almost since the soundtrack was invented. Sir Stephen Hough comments: “I’ve been a huge admirer of Lang Lang for years and I was delighted to be asked to arrange some Disney songs for him. The most unforgettable songs from Disney’s iconic films, reimagined by the greatest living pianist, Lang Lang’s The Disney Book tells the story of a century of magical, joyous entertainment for all.

Lang Lang’s New Single ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno Listen To Lang Lang’s New Single ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno

He is also the recipient of honorary doctorates from the Royal College of Music, the Manhattan School of Music and New York University. In addition to the sparkling solo piano music are colourful orchestral works and a host of celebrity guest artists, such as Lang Lang’s wife Gina Alice, who sings ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ (“It’s so beautiful, I really felt like a wish is being granted when I hear it,” says Lang Lang). Fast forward to 2016 and he was performing at the grand opening of Shanghai Disney Resort with a unique rendition of “Let It Go” from Frozen. Translating songs into instrumental versions is not an easy task and Lang Lang was committed to getting the style right. Lang Lang’s boundless drive to attract new audiences to classical music has brought him tremendous recognition: he was presented with the 2010 Crystal Award in Davos and was picked as one of the 250 Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum.He has formed ongoing collaborations with conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Gustavo Dudamel, Daniel Barenboim and Christoph Eschenbach and performs with all the world’s top orchestras. Superstar pianist Lang Lang spoke to us about the inspirations behind his new album ‘The Disney Book’ featuring new arrangements of iconic movie melodies. Animated characters, he adds, are not constrained by national boundaries or narrow cultural conventions.

Lang Lang Celebrates 100 Years Of Disney With New Album ‘The

As the piece ends, the dawn chorus takes over – a perfect fairytale conclusion to the unveiling of Lang Lang’s latest project, an extensive collection of imaginative arrangements of much-loved songs recorded for The Disney Book released on 16 September 2022. Lang Lang is joined by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the special, with performances of Disney classics including “Let It Go”, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, “You’ll Be in My Heart,” with Alfie Boe and “When You Wish Upon a Star” with his wife, Gina Alice. This new collection of songs will transport listeners through a musical journey of some of their favorite Disney songs, reimagined in new versions written especially for Lang Lang by leading arrangers from across the globe. Heralded by the New York Times as “the hottest artist on the classical music planet”, Lang Lang plays sold-out concerts all over the world.I hope that people of all ages will enjoy [the arrangements] and experience the joy that we all felt the first time we saw a Disney film. In 2013 Lang Lang was designated by the Secretary General of the United Nations as a Messenger of Peace focusing on global education. Similar to his hugely successful 2019 album Piano Book, a collection of Lang Lang’s favourite pieces as a child which he hoped would motivate young musicians, The Disney Book aims to inspire people of all ages to explore classical music. Alongside Hough’s fizzing arrangements is a sophisticated Mary Poppins medley by Natalie Tennenbaum and a plaintive version of ‘My Own Home’ ( The Jungle Book) by Thomas Lauderdale. Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine, during the past decade he has performed for such dignitaries as President Barack Obama, Pope Francis and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as giving sold-out concerts with all the world’s top orchestras and conductors.