As a pianist, pedagogue and philanthropist, Lang Lang has become one of the most influential and committed ambassadors for the arts in the 21st century. He gives sold-out concerts in venues worldwide, and works regularly with renowned conductors such as Simon Rattle, Gustavo Dudamel, Daniel Barenboim and Christoph Eschenbach, and with the world’s leading orchestras.
Whether performing in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing or for children in state schools, he is a master of communication through music. He is known for enthusiastically immersing himself in other musical worlds, and his performances at the Grammy Awards with Metallica, Pharrell Williams and the jazz legend Herbie Hancock were watched by millions.
Lang Lang entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing at the age of nine and at the age of 13 won first prize in the Tchaikovsky Competition. He went on to study with Gary Graffman at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. At the age of 17 he made his international breakthrough when he stood in for André Watts in the ‘Gala of the Century’, performing Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.
He is committed to worldwide musical education. In 2008 he founded the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, with the aim of training the best pianists, promoting musical education and reaching young audiences through live musical experiences. In 2013 the United Nations made him a UN Messenger of Peace, focussing on global education. In 2010 he was honoured with the Crystal Award for his tireless efforts in attracting new audiences to classical music. He was also included on the World Economic Forum’s list of 250 Young Global Leaders.
Lang Lang has received honorary doctorates from the Royal College of Music, the Manhattan School of Music and New York University. He has been honoured with the highest award from the Ministry of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) of the People’s Republic of China, with the German Federal Cross of Merit, and with the title of Officier des Arts et des Lettres.
He has performed for numerous international dignitaries, among them four US presidents, and monarchs from many countries. In 2016 he gave a concert at the Vatican at the invitation of the late Pope Francis.
