Pianist Lang Lang's Palace of Versailles dream comes true

Lang Lang plays Yellow River Piano Concerto in Beijing on Sept 3 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Chopin's music has accompanied Lang Lang for long.

It all started when he began to learn the piano at age 3, and then moved out of his hometown Shenyang in Northeast China's Liaoning province to Beijing to pursue his music studies.

Lang Lang played Chopin's works at Beijing Concert Hall and also with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra in Japan as a teenager.

In 2013, the pianist recorded an album based on Chopin's music, his first recording devoted to the romantic composer, including Etudes and Ballades.

In addition to promoting this latest album, Lang Lang has a full agenda to perform.

On the night of Sept 3, he also played Yellow River Piano Concerto at a grand gala in Beijing that was held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

By the end of the year, Lang Lang will perform with New York Philharmonic during its 2015-16 season.

As United Nations Messenger of Peace, the pianist will also perform at an event celebrating the 70th anniversary of the world body.

What's exciting for Lang Lang is that he will have his first concert in Cuba next year, collaborating with Cuban pianist-composer Chucho Valdes.

"The best thing about being a pianist is that I can use music to communicate with people from different cultures," he says.

"I hope to make some changes to the world with music."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn