Lang Lang

Twenty-six-year-old Lang Lang is a world-renowned classical pianist with extraordinary talent and focus. His story illustrates the importance of hard work and the added benefit of a having determined father to help make a dream a reality. He began playing piano at age 3, won his first piano competition at age 5, and was accepted at the Curtis Music Institute of Philadelphia at age 14. Andrew Pang tells Lang Lang's story with a delivery that expresses the pianist's enthusiastic love of music. While he sounds appropriately young, Pang's English doesn't sound natural; his cadence doesn't have the flow of a native speaker. But even though the rhythm is slightly off, it doesn't detract from the story of a uniquely talented and focused young man. N.E.M (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine


There have been a few classical musicians who've attained rock-star status: Liberace, Pavarotti, perhaps Yo-Yo Ma. But they've all been surpassed by Chinese pianist Lang Lang, whose youth--and incredible tradition-defying musical ascendance--seems to reflect the spirit of the times. At a time when China has emerged as one of the dominant world powers, all the while masking a poor human rights record, Lang's story has more relevance than ever. Lang's journey spans several generations, and Feodor Chin's theater background helps him give a lively reading. In China a whole new generation of classical music fans is finding out about the great composers via the homegrown Lang's dazzling star quality and amazing story. J.S.H. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Starred review from November 15, 2008
This richly descriptive memoir presents the keen thoughts of an intelligent, sensitive, and thoroughly modern young man: Lang Lang, one of the world's greatest pianists. It illustrates his life as a child prodigy, offers intimate details about his unusual family, reveals his musical influences, and discusses his life in China as well as shares insightful observations about the rest of the world. Actor/narrator Feodor Chin adeptly re-creates people of all ages and accents, with Lang Lang and his father being the standouts; their anger, frustration, competitiveness, and love for each other never waver. Public, academic, and special libraries serving music students/lovers must add this outstanding and interesting title to their collections. [Audio clips available through www.booksontape.com and www.randomhouse.com/audio.Ed.]Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.