(Los Angeles, Calif., April 10) – World-renowned classical pianist Lang Lang attended the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday morning, April 10, 2024 at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the 20th century, only the great classical pianists Horowitz, Rubinstein, Serkin, and Paderewski had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but in the 21st century, Lang Lang was still the first. The ceremony was presided over by Steve Nissen, President and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and congratulated Dickon Stainer, President and CEO of Universal Music Group's Global Classical & Jazz Division, and Michele Anthony, Executive Vice President of Universal Music Group.
In his acceptance speech, Lang Lang said that music is cohesive, allowing people from different cultural backgrounds to communicate with each other and stimulate emotional resonance. He sees sharing music as his mission and hopes to continue to inspire as many people as possible to learn an instrument, whether it's piano or something else. He said: "I would like to thank every friend for their support along the way, my fans, and my motherland, China. The piano is the most precious gift of my life and I will always be grateful. At the end of the star awarding ceremony, Lang Lang also played two pieces of music, including a Chinese repertoire.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a legendary cultural landmark managed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the City of Los Angeles, honoring outstanding celebrities in the fields of film, television, recording, radio and live performance. Since 1960, the Hollywood Walk of Fame has attracted millions of people from all over the globe.
Before Lang Lang, only 7 Chinese movie stars such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Huang Liushuang had won star honors on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, said Lang Lang has made outstanding contributions to the classical music scene, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is excited to celebrate his extraordinary talent by awarding him a star on the Walk of Fame.
Lang Lang is a world-renowned pianist whose record sales have topped many classical music charts in the world and achieved great success in the mainstream music industry, and was once selected by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world of the year. Lang Lang has been working with world-class orchestras and conductors to bring outstanding performances to classical music fans, and his concerts have been sold out in many cities around the world. In recognition of his invaluable contributions to society, culture and classical music, Lang Lang has been awarded honorary doctorates by seven of the world's top universities. He has performed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Opening Ceremony and the World Cup Final Celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, performed at the opening ceremonies of the Shanghai and Dubai World Expos, appeared on the stage of CCTV Spring Festival Gala seven times, and collaborated four times at the Grammy Awards with artists such as metal band Metallica, Pharrell Williams and Herbie Hancock to bring beautiful music to a wider audience through mass media such as television. Lang Lang has performed for many heads of state, including President Barack Obama at the White House, Pope Francis at the Vatican Sports Congress, and at the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Concert. In April 2020, he participated in the global star-studded virtual charity concert "One World: Together at Home", which was broadcast globally via television and online.
While having achieved high artistic achievements, Lang Lang, who has been performing all over the world all year round, has not forgotten to devote himself to public welfare and charity. Founded in 2008, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and its "Keys of Inspiration®" program have opened music classrooms and courses for nearly 200 schools in Asia, North America and Europe, helping 200,000 students to receive music education. A 10-year UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and in 2013 appointed a UN Messenger of Peace by the UN Secretary-General, Lang Lang is widely recognized for his commitment to mobilizing support to improve the lives of children around the world. Lang Lang enjoyed playing for hundreds of millions of people at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and happily went to schools for migrant children in poverty-stricken areas to play the piano for dozens of children, using the power of music, culture and art to inspire more than 40 million children to learn piano.
Lang Lang's records have sold millions of copies, and he is not only widely popular but also recognized by the industry. Over the past two decades, he has won 11 times the German Classical Music Award (formerly the Classical Echo Award), one of the highest international awards awarded to classical musicians. Released by Deutsche Grammophone, Lang Lang's many albums have sold well around the world, including "The Piano Book" in 2019, "Gothenburg Variations" in 2020, and "Lang Lang's Disney" in 2022. Among them, "The Piano Book" has set a record for the sales of classical piano albums in the 21st century, with 850,000 copies sold so far and 1 billion online views. In his new album Lang Lang: Saint-Saëns, which was released in March this year, he brings a feast of French classical music to the audience with the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig, conductor Andris Nelsons and his wife Gina Alice. The album also includes "Carnival of the Animals," a classic that has enchanted generations of young listeners and introduced millions of people to classical music, continuing Lang Lang's mission to attract classical music to children.
In 2023, Lang Lang will join the British Channel 4 program "The Piano" as one of the judges, winning the attention of a new batch of people to the piano. As one of the world's most influential classical musicians, Lang Lang has more than 20 million followers on social media worldwide. Promoting classical music through his influence stems from Lang Lang's belief that "music makes life better – it can heal, unite and inspire people to be better." ”
About Lang Lang
Lang Lang was born on June 14, 1982 in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China, to a family with a strong desire for art. Lang Lang began to learn piano at the age of three, and won the first prize in the Shenyang Children's Piano Competition at the age of five, and performed his first public performance. At the age of nine, Lang Lang was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing with the first place in the entrance qualification examination. Two years later, he won the first prize in the 5th Beijing Xinghai Cup Piano Competition. The 12-year-old Lang Lang won the first prize of the Ettlingen International Youth Piano Competition in Germany, and the following year he went to Japan to participate in the second Tchaikovsky International Competition for Young Musicians, where he won the first prize. At the age of 15, Lang Lang was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music in the United States and became a Chinese disciple of Graffman, the dean and world-renowned piano educator.
Lang Lang really became known to the world in 1999, when he appeared as a temporary substitute for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's "Century Gala" concert, and conquered the hearts of everyone present with Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. This successful temporary rescue set off a whirlwind in the international music scene. In 2001, Lang made his debut at Carnegie Hall, the BBC Proms and Wigmore Hall, and began a long period of collaboration with world-class conductors such as Daniel Barenboim, Gustavo Dudamel and Sir Simon Rattle. In 2002, the Bernstein Prize for Artistic Achievement, named after the late famous conductor Bernstein, was awarded for the first time in Hamburg, Germany, which aims to reward the world's "artists who have made the most contributions to art". In 2010, Lang Lang won the Mendelssohn Prize in Leipzig, the hometown of composer Mendelssohn. In 2013, he won the International Artist of the Year award at the BRIT Classical Music Awards, becoming the first instrumental artist to receive this honor. In 2019, he won the "French Victory Award" and became the first Chinese winner. Lang Lang is not confined to the realm of classical music, but breaks through traditional boundaries, and often collaborates with musicians such as pianist Herbie Hancock, singer and producer Pharrell Williams, metal band Metallica, singer Andrea Bocelli, pop superstar Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, John Legend and other musicians. In recognition of his contributions to society, culture and classical music, Lang Lang has been conferred honorary doctorates by seven of the world's top universities, including an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Leeds, an honorary doctorate in social sciences from the University of Hong Kong, an honorary doctorate in music from the Royal Academy of Music, an honorary doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music, a doctorate in fine arts from Birmingham City University, an honorary doctorate from New York University, and an honorary doctorate from the Central Conservatory of Music.
About the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame celebrates art, entertainment, and everything related to Hollywood. The star-laying ceremony was broadcast worldwide, connecting fans with their favorite artists. The Walk of Fame is administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the City of Los Angeles, and those who receive honors are selected by a committee of peers. The maintenance of the Star Seal, ceremonies, and attractions is funded by sponsors. The Walk of Fame is free and open to all. To learn more and find your favorite stars, visit walkoffame.com.
About the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Since 1921, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has worked to promote and enhance the business, cultural, and civic well-being of Hollywood. The Chamber of Commerce is Hollywood's largest business organization and serves as a diverse venue to promote and implement significant ideas that advance business and improve the Hollywood community. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce oversees the operation of both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Sign. Official website: hollywoodchamber.net