Lang Lang, 1982–, Chinese virtuoso pianist. A child prodigy, he studied at the Central Music Conservatory, Beijing, and the Curtis Institute, Philadelphia. Noted for the romantic, emotive nature of his playing, he made his American debut in 1998 with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, but he became a star overnight in 1999 when he received superb reviews when he replaced the ill André Watts to play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He subsequently has played with many of the world's finest orchestras as well as with popular musicians and groups. Among his best-known live performances are those at the Nobel Prize ceremonies, Stockholm (2007), at the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics, Beijing (2008), and at the Diamond Jubilee concert (2012) for Queen Elizabeth II, London. Named (2004) UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador to support young musicians, he created (2008) the Lang Lang International Music Foundation to encourage young pianists and to cultivate children's love of music.
See his autobiography, Playing with Flying Keys (2008)
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