Ask Lang Lang

Lang Lang Zack Seckler / Getty

One of the best-selling classical artists in the world, 26-year old Chinese pianist Lang Lang has performed with music's most renowned orchestras and plays sold-out solo concerts across the globe. He just completed his memoir, Journey of a Thousand Miles. Use the form below to submit your questions for Lang Lang, then look for the upcoming interview in TIME

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154 Questions >>

Submit your question to Ask Lang Lang (154 other responses).

Posted by Isaac Muchengwa in London:
When you you performed Rhapsody in Blue with Herbie Hancock earlier this year, apart from - , of course, your visible body expressions, how did that make you feel inside, your soul and heart. Do you think you lived your dream, if any envisioned prior to that perfomance in February?
Posted by Luis Carlos Gonzalez R. in San Jose, Costa Rica.:
What is the best piano compsition ever written in your opinion?
Posted by Zenas Shi in Carmel, IN:
Lang Lang,

What is your interpretation of the Hungarian Rhapsody by Liszt that you play for your encore?

Thank you,
Zenas Shi
Posted by Patricia Ho in Palo Alto, CA:
Does performing in the Beijing Olympics' opening ceremonies give you a sense of patriotism? How does it feel to perform for your country?
Posted by Orlena Lee in Toronto:
Hi Lang Lang,

What advice would you give young pianists who would like to pursue a career as a successful concert pianist like yourself?
Thanks!
Posted by Cyrus Park in Vleuten:
What is your biggest achievement outside of music?
Posted by Umesh Panchaksharaiah in Richmond CA:
Dear Mr. Lang, thanks for taking my question. How does one manage to retain and convey the emotions in a musical piece, when practicing the same piece hundreds of times tends to rob the interpretation of emotions.

Thank you and wish you continued great success.
-Umesh
Posted by Julian Carroll in rochester ny:
What is your favorite sport?
Posted by María Camila Vásquez in :
Do you think starting to study the piano at 24 is a waste of time? How does one overcome the frustation of late starters?
Posted by Harry Matthew Morsely in New York:
1..Who're your best woman pianist now and then..??.................

2..What do you think of pianist Billy Joel's " A happy marriage, like New York is a state of mind. " style songs...??......................

3..What kind of arts and books you like to having as my gifts.??
Posted by Marcela Schaefer in Tampa, FL:
Have you always known that you wanted to become a professional musician? Have there been moments in your life where you wished you were doing something else? How many hours a day do you practice?
Posted by Jaxon Bridge in New York:
A lot of talented musicians who play well are surprisingly unable to improvise. I've decided this is a very different skill. I am wondering if you like to "play around" and make stuff up as you go along... to improvise, in other words.
Posted by Leechian Lim in Kuala Lumpur:
Hello Lang Lang,

What do you think makes the best pianist?

Thank you.
Posted by Paul Chow in Toronto:
Wunderkind Lang,
Who is your favorite living pianist?
Who is your favorite past pianist (I mean deceased) ?
Posted by Ellen Li in Singapore:
How does your career as pianist help you define the meaning of your life?
Posted by sumin cui in xinxiang china:
According to your personal experience , what is most important factor of your succeed ?
Posted by Steven Lin in Beijing:
Don't you think it's too early to publish a memoir when you're only 26-year old? What's your motive?
Posted by Stefanie Yeung in Chadds Ford, PA:
Hi Lang Lang!
When you first came to America, what were your first impressions?

What advice do you have for aspiring classical artists?

When you first began studying music, did you ever imagine you'd end up where you are now?
Thanks!
Posted by He Cai in Madison:
Hi, Lang Lang,

You are a Chinese pianist. So Chinese culture or western culture, which one do you think benefit you more?
Posted by Yunjie Wang in Beijing:
you set a good example for the young generation who were born after
1980 in china and the whole world.
GO ON ,LANG LANG!
GO ON ,CHINA!
Posted by Edith Widayani in Jakarta, Indonesia:
in terms of playing classical music, there are a lot of challenging moments when you have to acknowledge the composers' mind and ideas. how do you approach a piece that you're playing for the first time, and how do you make it your own?
Posted by meijin huang in Nanchang:
You are very good!
Best wishes to you!
Posted by Li Yu in BEIJING:
Hi, Lang Lang! My qustion is, what in your opinion is the most effective way to promote traditional Chinese music to the rest of the world?
Posted by Li You in Apex, NC:
Yo-Yo Ma has devoted much of his efforts to promoting cross-culture understanding through music, do you have plans to integrate Chinese music into your classic Western music platform? And further, do you see yourself opening up to much broader music traditions (of Japan, the middle-east, South American, Africa, etc.) as you continue to develop your music career?
Posted by Raymond Lattimore Cavness in Piney Flats, TN:
In the early 1960's there was an American based program by the name of Foster Parents Plan. My family sent funds to this organization for an extended time and they sent regular progress reports on a 12 year old lad and his family that they picked for us to sponsor in Hong Kong. The boy's name was Chun Wan Kwong , Inquires to the Plan led to our being told that the family name is Chun and his given names the last two. Which Lang is your family name?. I have often wondered what might have become of Wan Kwong but I have no way of locating him as I have been advised that Foster Parents no longer operates in Hong Kong. Can you offer any help along this line or suggestions as to possible search possibilities? I love most all instrumental classical music but can barely play the radio myself. Wishing you Good luck and much success on your tour.
Posted by Irina P in Los Angeles:
Lang Lang,

I've read you were discouraged early in your career, because your teacher didn't think you were good enough to make it. What kept you going?
Posted by Liu Z.N. in Shanghai:
For years, so many children learn to play piano at an early age here in China. I wonder, apart from your own talent and hard work, what's the biggest external factor that led to your success and made you one of the million?
Posted by Michael Johnson in New York:
How is it that you have the same name twice?
Posted by Pony ma in in China:
Hi Lang Lang
Do you think you already achieve your goal in your career? If not, what's your goal or your dream?
What's the thing you most like? and what's the thing you most dislike?

Thanks you!
Pony Ma
Posted by song archi in BeiJing:
Who is your most favorite music artists in China,and why . Thank you!
Posted by Barry Werger in Claremont:
Greetings! What do you think is the most important thing you can do to help keep classical music a living and evolving world, rather than a static canon? How do you choose new composers to support, and how do you balance new and "standard" repertoire?
Posted by James Jiang in Norwich:
As a young person grows up with pop music, it's not easy for me to find the charm of classic music and enjoy it. What's your say for this?
Posted by Mandy in GUANGZHOU:
LANGLANG,COME ON!
Posted by Deng Wen in BeiJing:
Hi LangLang!

Do you think you are a great man like your dream?
Posted by timothykwameonyame in ACCRA, GHANA:
In terms of classical music,you are no 1.now how can we get you to teach some of us young and up coming.However iam in the choral musical group in my churc here in GHANA.Is there any ways and means that you teach people outside your country? If yes how.GOD BLESS YOU.
Posted by Shan Huang in Melbourne, Australia:
To all those kids who are learning piano because their parents want them to become the next you, what inspirational message would you give to them?
Posted by Becky Li in New York, NY:
Dear Lang Lang,

Is your playing style affected by tragedies, such as the recent earthquake(s) in China, or the flooding all around the world, including SE Asia and the U.S. Midwest?

Thank you for sharing your talent with the rest of the world!

Best,
Becky Li
Posted by Nathan Kendall in London:
Hi Lang Lang,

I'm love Liszt's music but I find people scoff when I mention his name, as if implying for some reason or another, he's not worthy of adoration!
As you're world renowned for playing his Hungarian Rhapsodies, have you encountered this snobbery towards Liszt, and do you think it has tainted your acclaim? …unless you also think Liszt isn't that great?

Very best

Nathan
Posted by frank sarah in Jining:
Do you feel proud to be a Chinese?
Posted by Tom Andrews in portland, oregon:
Hi Lang Lang,

I've always been an admirer of the dynamic range and power of Vladimir Horowitz. As a recording engineer, when I listen to Vladimir's studio recordings, especially with headphones on, I often hear a lot of editing and multiple splicing of different takes into a final version.

Is recording technology both a blessing and a curse for classical musicans? What do you think is important to achieve during the recording process? How do you approach maximizing dynamic range of the piano in a live hall or venue?
Posted by Recep Adıgüzel in Istanbul:
What does music mean for you?
thanks
Posted by michael huang in beijing:
Dear Lang Lang,
since you were three years old you have spent most of your time and most of your energy for playing the piano, and your family has been taking care of any aspects of your live always keeping an eye on you.

I wonder whether there has ever been space in your life for personal things, such as developing an intimate relationship to a person you fell in love with?

Thank you for your honest answer!
Posted by Pan Fayang in China, Anhui Province, Anqing:
how do you perceive the differences between the eastern and western music pieces in varies aspects, so as to perform these two disparate types of music well?
Posted by Martha Blackburn in Marlton, NJ:
If you could travel anywhere in the world for vacation and NOT be required to perform/have interviews/be in the public eye, where would you go?
Posted by Xin Cheng in Toronto:
Apart from music, do you have other great passions?
If you were not a pianist, what other career paths would you have taken?
Posted by Peter Zhang in Houston, Texas:
If you didn't pursue playing piano, what would you be doing?
Posted by Gilberto Coker in Obregon, Mexico:
what inspired you to play piano?
Posted by Ashlie Meyer in Cincinnati, OH:
Do you enjoy playing non-classical pieces, like movie soundtracks or jazz pieces?
Posted by Adam Marchesseault in St. Johnsburry:
Although I'm only 17, you've really been an inspiration to me. Your music is absolutely awe-inspiring, and as a long time pianist I must know: When you play, do you focus on the music itself or just lose yourself in the music and play it by how you feel?
Posted by Ryan Warren in Sherwood, Arkansas:
When did you first realize you wanted to be a pianist?

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