Star pianist Lang Lang has been happily married for a year. In an interview, he reveals how love has changed his life.
Star pianist Lang Lang (38) has fulfilled a great dream and after a long wait recorded the Goldberg Variations by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), the album will be released on Friday (September 4th). What is special about the piece? "The Goldberg Variations are not only the most complex piece in piano literature, it is also the longest piece that has ever been written for the piano," says Lang Lang in an interview with the news agency spot on news.
Lang Lang has been playing the piece for over 20 years, but has only just recorded it. It takes years to understand the Goldberg Variations "intellectually and artistically" enough for a good interpretation to be possible. He got feedback, input and lessons from classical music stars like Daniel Barenboim (77) and Christoph Eschenbach (80). For his fans he will also play a small concert on his YouTube channel on Friday (4 p.m.) to present the new album.
Lang Lang raves about Queen Elizabeth II.
Lang Lang is considered to be the star pianist of the present. "I am very happy with how my career has developed," says the 38-year-old looking back. "From an early age I was determined to be a concert pianist. I worked very hard to make this dream come true." In addition to the hard work, you also need "a lot of luck" and the right teachers and mentors to make it. Despite his great career, Lang Lang has remained down to earth. The reason for this is his mother: "My mother, who has always traveled with me and still does it today, kept me on the ground and taught me what really counts in life."
In his many appearances, Lang Lang has already played for former US President Barack Obama (59) and Pope Francis (83), among others. However, Queen Elizabeth II (94) left the greatest impression on him. "She said to me: 'Oh, there comes the gentleman with the flying fingers – I wish I had fingers like him'. She has this wonderful dry British humor that is simply captivating," he enthuses about the British monarch.
"The problem is not the children, but our society"
With his Lang Lang International Music Foundation he wants to inspire future generations for classical music. Why is it so difficult these days to get young people interested in this genre of music? "Because there are not enough music lessons in schools," replies Lang Lang. In Germany the situation is "still relatively good compared to other countries such as the USA".
Lang Lang is trying, together with his organization, to bring more piano lessons to North American schools, especially in underprivileged places. "I've found that most children develop a relationship with classical music naturally. It's not the children that are the problem, it's our society." In addition to learning new music literature, one of his greatest wishes is to continue to have an influence on musical education.
"Life is so much better since I can share it with Gina"
He is also looking forward to "my new life as a husband". In June 2019, Lang Lang secretly married the pianist Gina Alice Redlinger at Versailles Palace. Even a year after the marriage, the couple enjoy "every minute" together, the two are doing "excellent". "Life is so much better since I can share it with Gina," says Lang Lang.
"She travels with me everywhere and supports me. We exchange ideas about music and we laugh a lot – that's really important." Separating private and professional life is "no problem" for the two. "It's actually great to share my passion for music with my partner," says Lang Lang. "That's probably because I don't see music as a profession, but rather as a mission."