Lang Lang’s albums, age, wife and more facts about the star pianist
From judging Channel 4’s ‘The Piano’ with Mika to carrying the London 2012 Olympic torch, here's everything you need to know about the star Chinese pianist Lang Lang.
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1. How old is Lang Lang?
Lang Lang is 40 years old. Born on 14 June 1982, the Chinese musician first started playing the piano at the tender age of three. He won the Shenyang Competition and gave his first public recital before the age of five and entered Beijing’s Central Music Conservatory aged nine.
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2. Lang Lang's education
To pursue a career as a concert pianist, Lang Lang decided to leave China for Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute, where he worked closely on his technique with legendary pianist Gary Graffman. He was just 17 when his career took off and he became an overnight sensation after playing Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto at the “Gala of the Century” with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
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3. What is Lang Lang's net worth?
A global piano sensation, Lang Lang is no stranger to success and is currently worth an estimated $30 million (£22m). As well as selling millions of albums around the world and regularly topping Classical charts, his achievements include a nomination for a 2007 Grammy Award and he was even named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine.
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4. Lang Lang's arm injury
In an unfortunate turn of events, the star was diagnosed with tendonitis in 2017 and his arm injury became so severe that it could have cost him his career. Many pianists suffer with the condition as a result of their extensive playing – but luckily, Lang Lang made a speedy recovery.
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5. Lang Lang's wife
After months of rumours surrounding their 'secret engagement', Lang Lang married fellow pianist Gina Alice Redlinger in June 2019, in an enviably glamorous ceremony in France. The pair performed a duet of Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No.5 for Classic FM in 2021 and went viral with more than a million views on YouTube.
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6. What does Lang Lang mean?
The name Lang Lang means ‘brilliance of the sky’.
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7. Lang Lang on video game soundtracks
Lang Lang recorded piano works for the soundtrack to the video game Gran Turismo 5. This included versions of the traditional Londonderry Air, and the third movement from Prokofiev's seventh Piano Sonata.
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8. Lang Lang and Herbie Hancock
At the 2008 Grammy Awards, Lang Lang teamed up with jazz legend Herbie Hancock for a performance that was seen by 45 million viewers. Hancock said of Lang Lang, "You hear him play, and he never ceases to touch your heart."
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9. Lang Lang International Music Foundation
In 2008, Lang Lang launched his International Music Foundation to help children of all backgrounds access music education. The Foundation provides schools with free pianos and teaching materials, champions talented young pianists with mentorship and performance opportunities, and runs an annual music camp.
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10. Lang Lang – YouTube superstar
Lang Lang holds the title of the first Ambassador of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra, a global endeavor devoted to sharing the love of music and celebrating humanity's vast creative diversity. A concert at Sydney Opera House in March 2011 was live streamed to millions of viewers.
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11. Lang Lang - the trademark
Steinway pianos have created five versions of a ‘Lang Lang™ Steinway’ for young players. It is the first time in the company’s history that it has used a performer’s name on a piano, and his name has become a trademark.
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12. Lang Lang's London 2012 sprint
On 22 July 2012, Lang Lang carried the London 2012 Olympic Torch through Hornchurch on its Redbridge to Bexley leg.
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13. Lang Lang records Bach’s Goldberg Variations
On 14 September 2020, Lang Lang realised a lifelong dream of recording Bach’s monumental Goldberg Variations. A landmark achievement for any pianist…
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14. Lang Lang and Disney
Lang Lang celebrated 100 years of Disney in 2022 with a new album ‘The Disney Book’ featuring iconic melodies from Pinocchio to Encanto, all reimagined for the piano. He also played a headline Royal Albert Hall concert of Disney music, which will be broadcast by Disney+ in September 2023.
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15. Lang Lang on Channel 4’s The Piano
In February 2023, Lang Lang joined with pop star Mika to judge contestants on Channel 4’s The Piano, in which amateur players took their pianistic talents to four of the UK’s busiest train stations: London St Pancras, Birmingham New Street, Leeds and Glasgow Central.
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16. Lang Lang on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Lang Lang received a star on the Los Angeles’ iconic Hollwood Walk of Fame, in a ceremony in April 2024. As the star was unveiled, Lang Lang said in a speech: “The common ground is always music, whether you grew up in Beijing or Boston, it reminds us that we are not that different at all.”
