Lang Lang Records New Soundtracks for Sony PlayStation's Gran Turismo® 5 and Sony Christmas TV Commercial

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony MASTERWORKS -- Internationally renowned pianist Lang Lang records the soundtrack for Sony PlayStation's blockbuster video game Gran Turismo® 5 which is in stores now.  Sony Classical releases the soundtrack digitally via all major service providers on December 14th and physically the week of December 20th.

The soundtrack features famous piano works by Chopin, J.S. Bach, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Joplin, Holst and Beethoven throughout various parts of the game.  Prokofiev's Precipitato appears prominently in its entirety in the first half of the opening sequence of Gran Turismo® 5.  To see the performance, click here: http://us.gran-turismo.com/us/news/d5484.html.

Lang Lang says: "Gran Turismo is the most exciting racing game in the world and I have been a fan of it for many years. I feel honored to have this opportunity to connect with people who have never been in a concert hall before and show them that classical music is not just a part of history, but is actually very present and relevant today."

Lang Lang, Brand Ambassador for Sony Corporation, is known for his affinity for new technologies and his constant endeavors to bring classical music to the largest possible audience.  His involvement in the official soundtrack for Gran Turismo® 5 marks a new chapter in the artist's synergetic approach to combine classical music with new technology.

In celebration of the holidays, Lang Lang also recorded a song called "A Sony Christmas Carol" which serves as the music bed for the UK Sony Christmas TV commercial for the 'VAT-back' campaign.  The commercial features actor Sir Derek Jacobi as Ebenezer Scrooge in a modern day portrayal of the Christmas classic "A Christmas Carol" and includes an epic 2-minute "mini-movie" version.  The score includes a virtuosic piano part written especially for Lang Lang by leading young film composer Ilan Eshkeri, whose credits include Stardust, Kick-Ass and The Young Victoria.  It was supported by a 35 piece orchestra and recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios.

About the score Lang Lang says: "Recording the music for this advertisement was hugely enjoyable, Ilan's score perfectly complements each part of the storyline, and the uplifting ending is a great moment.  So much is communicated in the two minutes that you almost feel as though you have watched an entire movie!"

To view the commercial please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLJdBv6d3PM.  Also, view behind the scenes footage of Lang Lang performing the music for the commercial at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPTTGld-DRo.

Recently, Lang Lang released his Sony Classical debut CD Live In Vienna on LP, various CD and DVD formats including a Blu-Ray Disc featuring "Lang Lang – The Third Dimension" filmed in 3D.

Sony Classical is the label group in charge of classical music within Sony Music Entertainment, based in New York and Berlin and responsible for the international productions of Sony Classical, RCA Red Seal and Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, as well as a vast catalogue that goes back to Enrico Caruso. Sony Classical is the home of artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Lang Lang, Joshua Bell, Murray Perahia and Vittorio Grigolo, as well as containing the musical legacy of Glenn Gould, Arthur Rubinstein, Vladimir Horowitz, Arturo Toscanini and Leonard Bernstein.  In the USA, Sony Classical is represented by the Sony MASTERWORKS label group.  For email updates and information please visit www.SonyMasterworks.com.

Tracklisting for Gran Turismo® 5:

1. Franz Liszt: Liebestraum No. 1 "Hohe Liebe"
2. Frederic Chopin: Etude In E Major Op. 10 No.3
3. J. S. Bach: "Air" On the G String from Orchestral Suite No. 3
4. Gustav Holst: The Planets Op. 32 "Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity"
5. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, No. 14 "Var.II, Danse de la Fee-Dragee"
6. Frederic Chopin: Polonaise Op. 40 No. 1 "Military Polonaise"
7. Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor Op. 3 1/2, "The Tempest" Largo – Allegro
8. Scott Joplin: The Entertainer * (featured in car setting scene)
9. Frederic Chopin: Waltz in D Flat Major Op. 64 No. 1, "Minute Waltz"
10. Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Sonata No. 7 in B Flat Major Op. 83, Precipitato * (opening sequence)
11. J. S. Bach: "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" Chorale from Cantata No. 147 * (final sequence)

SOURCE Sony MASTERWORKS