Born in Shenyang in the Chinese province of Liaoning, internationally acclaimed pianist Lang Lang now spends most of his time travelling the world for performances and missions. Reggie Ho met up with him recently in Shenzhen, where he has opened a music academy and is planning two more music schools for the young.
HOW DO YOU PICK AIRLINES?
I pick what I can have, depending on the times. I think I have travelled on every airline in the world. Sometimes I travel first, sometimes business, sometimes private. Flatbeds are nice, and I also like massage chairs – some of them vibrate only a little bit, but some are really professional. I think Middle Eastern airlines are some of the best. Some Asian airlines are good too.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON THE PLANE?
Sleep, that’s number one. I always try to adjust jet lag; coming back to Asia from Europe, I don’t speak the whole night, I just sleep all the way, and when I wake up I am at the right time. I also listen to music on the plane, all types of music… hip-hop, pop rock, jazz and opera… so I am learning new things, to see how music develops. Alicia Keys, Herbie Hancock, John Legend and Jay-Z are some of the artists I listen to.
HOW ABOUT HOTELS?
I really love to stay at Langham hotels, not only because I am their spokesperson, but because they really treat me like I am at home. I come in and get the best massage and room service. I always want to have some Chinese food, and you know in London or Los Angeles it’s very hard to get good Asian food. My stomach is really made in China.
WHERE DO YOU USUALLY TRAVEL?
Every year I spend two and a half months in China, three in the US, another month or so elsewhere – next year I’ll do South America. I spend probably the most time in Europe – Germany, France, the UK and Italy – in the traditional classical music capitals.
WHERE DO YOU PRACTISE WHEN ON THE ROAD?
Steinway provides me with pianos in my hotel rooms. Normally I can practise until midnight with silent pedals.
DO YOU TAKE VACATIONS? WHERE AND WHEN DO YOU GO?
In summertime. Last summer I went to the south of France, to five cities over a week, every day was like an adventure… Cannes, St Tropez, Monaco, Nice and some little towns I don’t even know how to say
in French. But next year if I do vacation, I’ll probably find a place that is a little cooler. The south of France was great, but it’s really hot.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PERFORMANCE VENUES?
I always have very special performances at Carnegie Hall because of the acoustics. Also another place that really creates magic is the Amsterdam Concertgebouw; that concert hall always gives you perfect feedback.
