Lang Lang Plays Recital With LA Orchestra

The concert is part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association’s 2007/08 Colburn Celebrity Recital series.

Considered by The New York Times to be the “hottest artist on the classical music planet,” 25-year-old Lang Lang has demonstrated an extraordinary level of musicianship in the widest range of repertoire. His artistry and ability to connect with audiences on a personal level have established him as an international sensation and one of the most exciting and sought-after artists of our time, seen by millions throughout the world in concert, on televised concert broadcasts and in documentaries. He has worked with the world’s best orchestras under the most renowned conductors, 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 all the top American orchestras.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic's Colburn Celebrity Recitals offer virtuoso performances by world-renowned artists. Remaining performances include: violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter (Tuesday, April 8, 2008), and violinist Midori (Sunday, April 13, 2008).

LANG LANG began playing piano at the age of 3, won the Shenyang competition, gave his first public recital at the age of 5 and entered Beijing’s Central Music Conservatory at the age of 9. He went on to win first prize at the Tchaikovsky International Young Musicians Competition and played the complete 24 Etudes of Chopin at the Beijing Concert Hall at 13. At 17, Lang Lang’s break into stardom came when he was called upon for a dramatic last-minute substitution at the “Gala of the Century” where he played the Tchaikovsky Concerto with the Chicago Symphony. Following this debut, he performed successful concerts around the world. He has appeared twice on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, on Good Morning America and 60 Minutes, and has been featured in every major television network, news and lifestyle magazine worldwide, including Vogue, GQ, Die Welt, Reader’s Digest and People. Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as the “biggest, most exciting keyboard talent encountered in many years,” Lang Lang has progressed from one triumphant appearance to the next. He has performed for global leaders around the world including Prince Albert II of Monaco, 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, President Abdul Kalam of India, H.R.H. Prince Charles, as well as President Vladimir Putin of Russia.

In the summer of 2007, Lang Lang performed open-air concerts to tens of thousands of people, including at Berlin’s famous Waldbühne, where he performed with Maestro Barenboim and the Berlin Staatskapelle. In 2008, he will also participate in a special concert with Cecilia Bartoli and Vadim Repin honoring Maria Malibran, has a 12-city U.S. recital tour that includes a concert at Carnegie Hall as part of their Great Artists Series and a tour to the past Summer Olympic cities with the China Philharmonic. Later in the year he will perform a solo recital at the London Proms. Lang Lang records exclusively for Deutsche Grammophon/Universal and every CD he has made has entered the top classical charts as well as many pop charts around the globe. His newest release, Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 4 with Orchestre de Paris and Maestro Christoph Eschenbach, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Classical chart.

Lang Lang also appeared on Billboard's New Artist chart at the highest position for any classical artist. In 2004, he was appointed International Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). As a result of his enormous popularity with children, Steinway created the “Lang Lang Steinway” designed in five different types for the early musical education of children. This is the first time Steinway has used an artist’s name to produce pianos in its 150-year history. He was recently nominated for a Grammy due to his work on the new release and is the first Chinese artist to be nominated for Best Instrumental Soloist. He has also been named an honoree for the Recording Academy’s Presidential Merit Award. His previous release, Dragon Songs, departs from the western music of Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Mozart and Liszt for which he is most known and takes Lang Lang’s audience on a groundbreaking journey through “his” China in this documentary film on DVD and soundtrack album. The year 2008 will feature a new recording with the Vienna Philharmonic of Chopin’s 1st & 2nd Piano Concertos. He is also featured soloist on the Golden Globe-winning score, The Painted Veil composed by Alexandre Deslpat, and can be heard on the soundtrack of The Banquet composed by Tan Dun. Lang Lang received honorary professorships at all the top conservatories in China where he gives master classes regularly, as well as at Juilliard, the Curtis Institute and Hannover. -- www.laphil.com