Lang Lang: Beethoven · The Piano Concertos

A long-held dream comes to life: Lang Lang releases his first complete recording of Ludwig van Beethoven’s five piano concertos. Together with Andris Nelsons and the Gewandhausorchester, he explores the complete cycle, drawing on years of study, performance and personal engagement with Beethoven’s music.

The album also features Piano Sonata No. 31, Op. 110, and Lang Lang’s piano arrangements transcriptions of the Allegretto from the Seventh Symphony and the “Ode to Joy” from the Ninth. Beethoven · The Piano Concertos arrives on 5 March 2027 as a 5LP box set and 3CD digipack. Special collector’s editions include the Pure Analogue recording of the Fifth Piano Concerto.

Lang Lang’s first complete Beethoven concerto cycle

Lang Lang began learning Beethoven’s piano concertos as a teenager, and they have been part of his concert repertoire since the early years of his career. He previously recorded Concertos Nos. 1 and 4 for Deutsche Grammophon. Now, with the experience of many years on stage, he returns to all five works for his first recording of the complete cycle.

“With time, I’ve learned to hear beneath the surface – to understand how every detail contributes to Beethoven’s larger musical architecture,” says Lang Lang.

With Andris Nelsons and the Gewandhausorchester

Andris Nelsons and the Gewandhausorchester join Lang Lang for the five concertos. The orchestra’s close connection with Beethoven’s music dates back to the composer’s lifetime. Its Beethoven tradition shapes the recording, alongside the musicians’ openness to new ideas.

The Pure Analogue edition of Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto

A special Pure Analogue recording was made of the Fifth Piano Concerto, known as the “Emperor”. The limited and signed 1LP Pure Analogue White Label with Covercard is available as a dedicated vinyl edition.

Another collector’s edition pairs the Pure Analogue LP with a CD of the concerto, allowing listeners to experience the performance in both formats and discover the distinctive qualities of analogue and digital sound.. For the analogue recording, sound engineer Rainer Maillard used seven microphones and Siemens V72 tube preamplifiers to record directly to magnetic tape. The recording was also edited traditionally, using scissors and adhesive tape.

Sonata No. 31 and two piano transcriptions

The album features three solo performances by Lang Lang. Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 31, Op. 110, has a special place in his musical history: he performed it at his entrance audition for the Curtis Institute of Music.

The programme also includes piano transcriptions of the Allegretto from the Seventh Symphony and the “Ode to Joy” from the Ninth. The Allegretto was arranged by Asiya Korepanova, and the “Ode to Joy” by Peter Schindler.

Physical editions at the DG Store

Beethoven · The Piano Concertos is available in several physical formats and collector’s editions:

• 5LP Box Set + Signed Vinyl-Size Artcard + Polaroid
• 5LP Box Set + Signed Vinyl-Size Artcard
• 5LP Box Set
• 1LP – Limited Signed Pure Analogue White Label + Covercard
• 1LP + 1CD – Pure Analogue
• 3CD Digipack + Signed CD-Size Artcard
• 3CD Digipack
• 1CD Jewelcase

Experience Lang Lang’s first complete recording of Beethoven’s five piano concertos with Andris Nelsons and the Gewandhausorchester. Discover the cycle as a 5LP box set or 3CD digipack, and choose the limited Pure Analogue edition of Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto.

Discover the special editions of Beethoven · The Piano Concertos at the DG Store now!