Biography of Lang Lang

About the Artist

Heralded as the "hottest artist on the classical music planet" by the New York Times, 26-year-old Lang Lang has played sold out recitals and concerts in every major city in the world and is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the top American orchestras. In August 2008, over 5 billion people viewed Lang Lang's performance in Beijing's opening ceremony for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad where he was seen as a symbol of the youth and future of China. He has played with the world's best orchestras and with the most renowned conductors. Starting with the 08-09 season Lang Lang is sharing music in all aspects possible, particular to children by focusing on education and outreach programs for their involvement in music. He will hold residencies in six cities this year: Chicago, Toronto, San Francisco, London, Rome and Stockholm. The residencies will include master classes, chamber concerts, school visits and live chats with university students, orchestral concerts, performances featuring traditional Chinese musicians and music, 4 hands repertoire with children and vocal piano duo recitals including one with Cecilia Bartoli. The educational events will be in cooperation with the Lang Lang International Music Foundation launched in New York with support of the Grammy's and UNICEF in October 2008. During the summer of 2008, his biography, Journey of a Thousand Miles, published by Random House in eight languages, was released to critical acclaim. Due to his commitment to the education of children, he released a version of his autobiography specifically for younger readers, entitled Playing with Flying Keys. Lang Lang began playing piano at the age of 3 and by the age of 5 he had won the Shenyang competition and given his first public recital. Entering Beijing's Central Music Conservatory at age 9, he won first prize at the Tchaikovsky International Young Musicians Competition and played the complete 24 Chopin etudes at the Beijing Concert Hall at age 13. Lang Lang's break into stardom came at age 17 when he was called upon for a dramatic last-minute substitution at the Gala of the Century, playing the Tchaikovsky concerto with the Chicago Symphony. Lang Lang has performed for numerous international dignitaries including the former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, President George H. W. Bush, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, President Hu Jin-Tao of China, President Horst Koehler of Germany, H.R.H. Prince Charles, as well as Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. In 2004, he was appointed International Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Lang Lang gives Master Classes regularly throughout the world including at the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music and Hannover Conservatory as well as all the top conservatories of China.