FIVE QUESTIONS
At 22, Lang Lang is enjoying 'a good life'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Lang Lang makes his Hawai'i debut with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra this weekend at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. As a child, he was inspired by a Tom and Jerry cartoon in which they played a piano. Andrew Eccles LANG LANG Guest soloist with Honolulu Symphony in the Halekulani MasterWorks concert 8 p.m. today, 4 p.m. Sunday Blaisdell Concert Hall $21, $33, $43, $51 and $64 792-2000 or (877) 750-4400 (Ticketmaster); ticketmaster.com Featuring: Lang Lang on Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Opus 26; Tchaikovsky's "Selections from Swan Lake," Stravinsky's "Petrushka." Samuel Wong conducts.

"I've been touring the last 35 days, visiting five continents — Australia, New Zealand, China, parts of Europe, America and more — in my work with UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)," so I'm ready for a vacation, said Lang Lang, 22, by phone from his Philadelphia home (he also has a home in his birthplace, Shenyang, in northern China).

A prodigy who started on keyboards at age 3, Lang Lang said travels have expanded his horizon, his fan base, his reputation. "It's a good life. I meet a lot of different people, make friends, see the world, go to parties, have adventures," he said.

"It's good as long as you do well, so I work really hard. Much harder than other people. After all, my parents made many sacrifices to fulfill my dreams." His dad, Guoren Lang, is here with Lang Lang; a reunion with his mom will follow in Hong Kong.

Lang Lang, truly a man on the go, answered Five Questions:

How did you settle on piano as your instrument of choice?

"I'm a piano man; piano is the basic thing, fundamental in everything else you might do. I like it because, well, it's bigger than a violin or cello, looks nice and is like a stereo. And as I kid, I remember a Tom and Jerry cartoon where they played the piano. That was such an inspiration."

You started lessons at age 3, started winning competitions at 5, were a blooming prodigy by 13. What was the driving force for you — the challenge of winning or the thrill of being in front of an audience?

"It was always because I loved to play and perform. Competitions were important, because they gave me opportunities to further my goal. My dream was not just to play well and win, but to be a great pianist, like Horowitz or Rubenstein."

You were the first Chinese pianist engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and other leading orchestras. Was it because you were young and Chinese, or was it strictly on talent?

"In the real world, you have to be talented, but lucky, too. I've been fortunate. By the end of the day, you have to play well, if you get opportunities. Being Asian, I think, was harder than being American or European. But classical music has changed; we have wonderful artists like (cellist) Yo-Yo Ma and (conductor) Seiji Ozawa. They helped change the view of Asian performers. Fifty years ago, there were few Chinese or Japanese artists. But as I recall, being a little boy and playing piano, there always was a question mark. Can I play? I needed to prove that I could ... well."

Teen People once dubbed you one of 20 influential teens; consequently, you've had crossover teenage fans. In your estimation, are more American teens turning to the classics and bypassing hip-hop and rock?

"I think my appearances with Jay Leno on 'Tonight' and 'Good Morning America' really helps to get the word out on classical music and what it's all about. I really believe that classic music gives you feelings, gives you ideas, gets you thinking and ultimately gives you a new life. If you give it a chance. However, I think a good performance of anything is worth listening to, no matter if it's the classics, pop, rock or jazz. Many people think just because they don't understand classical music, they don't listen. But if you hear Mozart, Chopin or Liszt or Rachmaninoff, you get a better appreciation of the wonderful music they composed."

So what do you listen to or play in your leisure time — or is it only practice, practice, practice?

"I love opera, some pop music; I did a crossover track with a famous Chinese pop artist. I listen to Chinese, African, Indian, all kinds of music. Most days, I practice; except when I'm traveling. I think we all need to add color in our lives."

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.