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Lang Lang may play classical music, but he’s definitely a rock star.
Sporting anti-gravity anime hair and Versace suits, Lang Lang (pronounced long-long) sure is the man. And he likes to party. But he only drinks Coke, he says. Well, maybe red wine sometimes.
And the 27-year-old Chinese pianist has the skills. Inspired by a Tom and Jerry cartoon, Lang Lang has been playing since the age of 3. Since then, he’s crossed into the international landscape, performing with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and many orchestras all over the U.S.; he reached a whole new audience when he played at the Beijing Olympics.
His latest album, a Tchaikovsky piano trio with violinist Vadim Repin and cellist Mischa Maisky, is a moving chamber-music study, released last month.
We interviewed Lang Lang over the phone from Tel Aviv, where he shared his thoughts about his craft, his sex appeal and his future.
Q: Why piano versus other instruments?
A: I don’t know why, it just feels more solid, more cool for me.
Q: Your father gave up his job to go to Beijing with you to pursue piano, leaving your mom behind to work — how did you deal with that pressure to succeed?
A: I used to live with a lot of pressure, because I always worry, if I’m not successful, they sacrificed too much for me. ... What would be the future for my family? ... But my father didn’t really tell me that he was not really working. He made some stories up, so I didn’t really worry about it. But, when I think about it, looking back, if he told me everything very clearly, I think it would be really hard for me to live up to such a heavy dream.
Q: You’re very expressive while playing — is that something you’re conscious of?
A: Sometimes ... but when I’m really into it I just let myself get lost in the music.
Q: Some critics feel like you’re too showy.
A: In the end, everyone needs to be yourself, rather than what people think you are. ... (Otherwise) you live in the shadow of somebody else. ... You limit yourself.
Q: How do you make sure you get better, when you’re touring all the time?
A: (By) talking to great musicians about the style of the sound of the music. And also, trying to listen to some other great musicians, or great ensembles, orchestras playing. Or by doing chamber music to learn some things that pianists don’t have, like vibrato things on a violin, or those special trills they play on flute or clarinet, or working with singers on how they breathe throughout a piece.
Q: What do you do for fun?
A: Parties I really love. I sometimes need my mom to tell me to stop, because I really love to go out.
Q: Are you comfortable with People Magazine naming you as one of 2008’s Sexiest Men Alive?
A: That was quite funny last year when People Magazine voted me this kind of thing. I was quite shocked, because I don’t have a six pack. ... I feel that (when) anyone plays piano, it looks pretty sexy. ... When you play beautiful music ... you feel hot.
Q: What are you looking for in somebody?
A: I like girls who likes to travel and who cooks well (laughs) and who is pretty, doesn’t matter if Chinese or not ... and like music. ... They have to like piano, otherwise, it would be very difficult.
