Pianist Lang Lang shares music experience on latest album in New York

World-renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang brought his new album Piano Book in New York on Tuesday to share his thoughts on piano playing and music education.

Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs pieces of his new album "Piano Book" during a press conference in New York, April 9. This album was released on March 29 and has already entered the top 10 of iTune's pop charts, which shows the popularity of classical music nowadays. Lang Lang shared his thoughts on piano playing and music education during the conference. [Photo: China Plus/Qian Shanming]

Consisting of 41 popular and accessible pieces such as Beethoven's Fur Elise, Debussy's Clair de Lune, and traditional Chinese ballad The Jasmine Flower, the collection records Lang's own journey of piano training since childhood.

"These pieces have been my favorites and they inspired me to be a pianist at the first place," said Lang at a meeting with the press in Midtown Manhattan.

Globally released on March 29, the Piano Book has already become the fastest-selling streaming classical album of 2019, topping classical charts in China, the United States, Japan, France and Britain, according to its distributor Universal Music Group.

Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs pieces of his new album "Piano Book" during a press conference in New York, April 9. This album was released on March 29 and has already entered the top 10 of iTune's pop charts, which shows the popularity of classical music nowadays. Lang Lang shared his thoughts on piano playing and music education during the conference. [Photo: China Plus/Qian Shanming]

Even to Lang's own surprise, the album also entered the top 10 of iTune's pop charts, an area of fierce competition for popular singers.

"It felt like dreaming during the past week," said the 36-year-old pianist. "This unexpected popularity demonstrates that people appreciate good music regardless of its type."

Lang also hopes that this album can inspire millions of piano learners around the world to improve their skills and make them truly love the instrument.

"The album is also a gift to my students," he added, referring to children attending music schools or programs he helped establish across the world through the Lang Lang International Music Foundation.

Chinese pianist Lang Lang performs pieces of his new album "Piano Book" during a press conference in New York, April 9. This album was released on March 29 and has already entered the top 10 of iTune's pop charts, which shows the popularity of classical music nowadays. Lang Lang shared his thoughts on piano playing and music education during the conference. [Photo: China Plus/Qian Shanming]

"I hope that after listening to the album, they won't get bored practicing these pieces but feel those classics by their heart," said Lang.

Apart from digital and CD versions, the Piano Book will also be released with music scores on April 12 and as vinyl records on June 14.