There are a lot of great pianists in the world today, but few can boast the charm and charisma that Chinese superstar pianist Lang Lang exudes both on and off stage.  The concerts he has held at major music venues around the world have sold out, and he has received numerous awards in his career.

Lang Lang at 2008 Olympics
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

In addition to his professional success, Lang Lang has also stolen the hearts of thousands around the world. Thousands of Chinese kids take up piano to follow in his footsteps in what is referred to as the ‘Lang Lang effect’. So what makes this 33-year old Chinese musician so special?

Here are a few facts about him that might explain why Lang Lang stands out as a superstar:

1. He found his motivation early

Like most children, Lang Lang began learning piano early and his disciplinarian father ensured he put in his practice hours. However, unlike most early beginners, Lang Lang found his true motivation when someone told him he wasn’t good enough.

By nine, the prodigy felt a failure when a conservatoire professor told him he had no talent. He went into brief retirement – until the age of 10, when he took it up again with renewed fervour. By 20 he had two dozen concertos under his belt and a public profile that has expanded year by year. Now he is on the road some 300 days a year. Via The Guardian

2. He appreciates other musicians

lang lang and mcphee performance
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

Although he is a mentor to thousands of pianists, Lang Lang is humble enough to recognize other accomplished musicians in his specialty.

Lang Lang can put himself down more adroitly, and with more wit, than those critics who cannot see beyond his audacious showmanship and extrovert playing. Can it be that someone w

ho plays Happy at the Grammys with Pharrell Williams can also perform exquisite Rachmaninov? His biggest admirers – among them Simon Rattle, with whom he has recorded concertos by Bartók and Prokofiev, and Daniel Barenboim, his great mentor – certainly think so. His own piano heroes are Vladimir Horowitz, also a great showman; and Maurizio Pollini and Martha Argerich, decided introverts. Via The Guardian

3. He never stops learning and practicing

Lang Lang
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

Despite his superstar status and busy schedule, Lang Lang makes time to learn something new in his trade and will put in his practice hours before any performance.

Where does he live? …“On a plane,” is his half-serious answer, qualifying it to “between New York and China”. He takes time off in the summer, to rest and learn new work, currently Spanish composers Albéniz and Granados…

Lang Lang’s off to do two hours practice before his concert. “All that sitting down,” he says as we part. “You have to be fit to be a pianist: muscles, breathing, flexibility. Via The Guardian

4. He finds ways to make playing piano fun

Lang Lang enjoys playing piano and classical music, and does not understand why these two should not be considered a fun activity. He has a lot of naysayers as a result, but that does not slow him down.

Lang Lang’s features cloud momentarily when he considers the gainsayers. “It makes me sad. It stings a little, yes, but I have to ignore it. We all accept, even enjoy, the way sports stars or Hollywood actors behave. I want to show that classical can be cool and fun too. Is that so bad?” Via The Guardian

5. He uses his gift to benefit others

Lang Lang is always willing to give back to the community. He was even appointed a UNICEF International Goodwill Ambassador to help raise funds for earthquake relief.

6. He is passionate about developing young musicians

lang lang and young pianist
Image Courtesy of YouTube

The accomplished pianist founded the Lang Lang Music Foundation in an effort to inspire young people to believe that music can make life better.

It was the chance of a lifetime for 100 students from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra school who got to perform with superstar pianist Lang Lang at the Orpheum Theatre’s stage on Tuesday.

The celebrated musician is in Vancouver for a sold-out concert at the Orpheum Theatre tomorrow night.

All of the high school and elementary school pianists are from the VSO School of Music, and they doubled up to play on 50 pianos on the theatre’s stage. Via CBC

7. He pursues other passions

In addition to his music career, Lang Lang is also a basketball fan, and is even considering taking up marathon running.

Photograph: Rhys Frampton
Photograph: Rhys Frampton

So is the 33-year-old Chinese pianist, who started up at the age of two after seeing a Tom and Jerry cartoon featuring Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No 2, now the Google of the piano? Given his multiple talents – from international soloist to musical ambassador to exuberant bling-and-glamour fashionista (he has his own perfume, headphones and, coming soon, piano-themed Swiss watch) – maybe it’s not an improbable comparison. Via The Guardian

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