Lang Lang: Connecting Hearts with Every Note 以琴聲連結世界•郎朗

ENGLISH 英 & CHINESE 中 : Fête Chinoise Editorial Team
Photography: Nemo, Olaf Heine, Richard harbaugh, Xun Chi, and Courtesy of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Patrick Iun
As Featured in Annual Book of Incredible People Edition No. 11: The next Chapter

WIN A SPECIAL COPY OF EDITION 11 AUTOGRAPHED BY LANG LANG
WITH A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THE TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

In a world where music transcends language, Lang Lang is a global ambassador, carrying the soul of Chinese heritage to the world’s grandest stages. With a Steinway piano at the command of his fingers and audiences across continents rising in standing ovation, he continues to redefine what it means to be an artist — not only by mastering his craft, but by embodying the power of cultural connection.

“I first truly fell in love with music while playing a piece I deeply loved as a child— it felt as if the melody and my heartbeat were in perfect sync,”
Lang Lang reflects. “That feeling of happiness has stayed with me ever since.” It wasn’t until he graced the international stage and witnessed smiles and tears from people of every culture being moved by his music that he fully understood how powerful music is — it can unite hearts.

鋼琴家郎朗是當代最享負盛名的音樂家之一。自三歲起學琴、五歲開始登台演出，郎朗至今活躍於世界各地演奏廳，一直堅守「用心彈琴，用愛生活」的信念，以鋼琴為橋樑，將中國文化帶上世界舞台，讓東西方觀眾在琴聲中感受彼此。

觸動人心的琴音

「第一次真正愛上音樂，愛上鋼琴，是小時候彈到一首很喜歡的曲子，突然覺得旋律和心跳是同頻跳動的——那種幸福感記憶猶新。」郎朗回憶道。直到他走上國際舞台，看見不同文化的觀眾因音樂而微笑、落淚，令他明白音樂不僅僅是天賦與使命，更是一種能跨越語言、連結人心的力量。

「十七歲時在拉維尼亞音樂節圓夢，後來有機會回到家鄉瀋陽為孩子們演奏。看著他們眼中閃爍的光芒，我仿佛看見了童年的自己。」

Defining Milestones

Lang Lang’s musical journey has been punctuated by many unforgettable moments: “At seventeen, I fulfilled a dream by performing at the Ravinia Festival. Later, I returned to my hometown Shenyang to perform for children. Seeing their eyes sparkle reminded me of my younger self.”
Another poignant moment came while he was performing at a United Nations charity event — a reminder that music has the ability to bring joy, hope, healing, and strength.

As his career evolved, so did his understanding of success. “Before, I equated success with winning competitions or playing on the world’s top stages. Now, it is about reaching hearts — in any setting, whether in a grand concert hall or a humble classroom. If my music can touch someone, give them courage or joy, that is my greatest success.”

隨藝術生涯的演進，郎朗對成功的定義也有所改變。「以前我認為成功是站上世界舞台，是贏得比賽。但現在，我更在意的是音樂是否真正走進人心。」

無論是在殿堂級音樂廳，還是普通教室，只要能感動人，讓人感到快樂、勇氣或希望，對郎朗而言就是最大的成就。一次在慈善機構為一群身心障礙孩子演奏的經驗，令他重新認識音樂的真諦：「演出前，我以為是我給他們帶來音樂，但當看到他們專注、純真的眼神時，我突然意識到，其實是他們在讓我重新認識音樂——它不只是技巧和舞台的輝煌，更是人與人之間最真摯的交流。那一刻讓我開始在演奏中放下『完美』，更多地追求真實的情感，這算是我創作旅程中一次很重要的內在轉變。」這次經歷促使他創立了郎朗國際音樂基金會，希望讓更多有需要的孩子能夠接觸音樂、學習鋼琴。

A Shift in Perspective

The pursuit of excellence has not come without transformation. “There was a time I played at a charity concert in an orphanage for children with disabilities,” Lang Lang recalls. “Initially, I thought I was there to bring them music. But their pure, focused gaze helped me rediscover what music truly is — not technical perfection, but rather, emotional sincerity.” That pivotal moment inspired him to found the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, to provide access to quality music education for children who need it most.

As an artist who is proud of his Chinese heritage and bridging East and West, Lang Lang sees his role in the next generation of artists with clarity and passion. “In the past, many Chinese families steered their children towards stable careers like medicine or engineering. But now I see more youth courageously pursuing the arts. I think this is truly a wonderful change, and a beautiful paradigm shift. I hope to inspire them not just through concerts, but by visiting schools, offering masterclasses, and showing that music is a way to express oneself and impact others. The beauty of music lies in its ability to connect us emotionally, and this connection can be felt no matter where you are.”

將中國旋律帶上國際舞台

一般傳統華裔家庭將音樂演奏視為消閒的課外活動，絕少鼓勵孩子以藝術作為專業職業。然而，隨時代轉變，加上郎朗等一眾演奏家在國內外出色的成就，大眾逐漸認同音樂亦能成為專業之選。「我覺得這是非常美好的轉變。音樂是一種可以表達自我、影響他人的力量，它能讓我們找到情感的樞紐，不論身處何地，都能深刻感受。」

郎朗近年多次受邀與多倫多交響樂團合作演出，他自言每次合作都能感受到多元文化的包容與創造力。「我很幸運能透過音樂連接東西方文化，也和多倫多交響樂團與施坦威鋼琴建立了長期合作的機緣。樂團成員來自世界各地，他們帶來不同的音樂背景和詮釋方式，讓我的演奏也產生了新的火花。有時候在排練中，一個細節的處理或一句旋律的呼吸，就能讓我想到全新的表達方式。這種多元文化的交流，讓我更加堅定探索不同音樂語言的可能性，也激發我在未來的創作和演出中，把更多中國元素融合於世界音樂之中，讓觀眾聽到更豐富、更有故事感的聲音。」

Lang Lang performing Beethoven. Photography: Courtesy of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Bridging Cultures in the World of Music

The piano is a Western instrument, and most students from the past hundred years, who grew up learning piano with institutions like the Royal Conservatory of Music (founded in 1886), did so with repertoire that was rooted in European classical traditions. However, there is a slowly growing representation of more diverse works within this context. It certainly offers perspective on how special Lang Lang’s cultural position is within the world of music. Lang Lang’s repertoire is a celebration of both Western and Chinese musical traditions.
“I love performing Chinese pieces like the Yellow River Concerto or Jasmine Flower on international stages,” he shares. “Audiences are always deeply moved. You can find sheet music from local Chinese publishers, and now many adapted Chinese pieces are part of conservatory syllabi, including the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada.”

At the time of the printing of this publication, Lang Lang will be in Toronto, headlining the symphony’s annual gala. This sold-out event raises critical funds to support essential music education and community engagement, programs that reach over 40,000 young people and families each season. He will have performed Beethoven’s majestic Emperor Concerto and Dukas’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, made famous in Disney’s
original Fantasia.

His deep relationship with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is also one of mutual inspiration. “Toronto’s multicultural energy has deeply influenced my expression. The diverse musical backgrounds of TSO musicians open up new dimensions in my interpretations. Sometimes, one breath or phrase in rehearsal can spark a whole new idea.”

郎朗在國際舞台演奏時，特別喜歡加入《黃河鋼琴協奏曲》、《茉莉花》、及《春江花月夜》等中國曲目，令華人觀眾感到份外親切之外，同時讓西方樂迷感受中國音階之美。「尊重文化根源是音樂創作的起點。我很喜歡嘗試新事物，跟不同音樂人合作，探索新的表達方式。我覺得傳統和創新並不衝突，反而互相成就。你越了解自己的根，就越有信心走得更遠、玩得更大膽。關鍵是，必須始終保持對不同音樂與文化的敬意。」

他提到，越來越多改編自中國曲目的作品已被納入英國皇家音樂學院與加拿大皇家音樂學院的高階考級教材。「我覺得這樣非常好，讓更多學生在學習鋼琴技巧的同時，也能感受和表達中國的聲音。」

A New Chapter & the Next Generation

The concept of renewal fits beautifully with this edition’s theme: The Next Chapter. For Lang Lang, this vision lives on through the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and its Young Scholars Initiative, where he plays an active role — from auditions to performances. “Play It Forward” is our core belief — we want young musicians not just to grow, but to give back through music,” he says. “Our team is small, but passionate. We’re dedicated to helping young artists begin their next chapter with strength and support.”

Outside the spotlight, Lang Lang finds inspiration in quiet moments. “Since becoming a father, I’ve started reading children’s books and philosophical parenting literature. These seemingly simple stories often help me reflect on emotion and nuance in performance. I’ve also learned the true meaning of listening — not only to music but to my family, to myself, and to my audience.”

下一個篇章

少年成名的郎朗，過去專注演出；婚後育有一子，家庭生活使他重心逐漸轉移，並有更多靈感。

「以前我大多看的都是跟音樂相關的書，現在則開始閱讀兒童文學、繪本，甚至哲學類的親子書。這些內容看似簡單，卻經常讓我從新的角度思考情感的表達層次，也讓我學會什麼是真正的『傾聽』——不僅是對家人與孩子，也包括對觀眾與自己的內心。」

郎朗也曾經歷一段不得不「慢下來」的時光。那時因為手部受傷，他不得不暫停演出。對他來說，

雖然這是種「被迫」的暫停，卻成為他人生中的重要轉折。在那段日子裡，他學會了如何真正做到勞逸結合，開始反思：「我為什麼而演奏？我真正想表達的是什麼？」他開始更深入地聆聽——不只是音樂，還有自己的身心。郎朗一直相信，每一個停頓，其實都可能是下一個篇章的起點。不管當下多麼不確定，只要願意繼續前行，新的開始總會到來。

Tradition and Innovation in Balance

He shares that balance between tradition and innovation is crucial: “Respecting cultural roots is the foundation of my music. But I love collaborating with different artists and trying new things. I believe tradition and innovation aren’t in conflict — they elevate each other.”

Lang Lang opens up about a lesser-known chapter: “There was a time when an injury forced me to stop performing. That ‘forced pause’ was actually the beginning of a new chapter. I learned to slow down, to reflect. It helped me listen more deeply — not just to music, but to my own heart. Every pause can be a prelude to something new.”

As for his life philosophy? “Play from the heart. Live with love. Music connects people across language and culture — that’s what I believe.” He closes with a heartfelt message: “My new album The Piano Book II is about returning to the beginner’s joy — it includes meaningful works that I hope will bring happiness and strength to listeners of all ages.”

幼吾幼，以及人之幼。郎朗於2018 年成立郎朗國際音樂基金會，致力讓更多孩子接觸優質的音樂教育。基金會推出的青年學者計劃不僅幫助年輕音樂家成長，更鼓勵他們 Play It Forward，以音樂回饋社會。

「這與 Fête Chinoise 的 Move Culture Forward 理念不謀而合——我們都相信，藝術和文化是連結人心、推動社會向前的重要力量。」郎朗表示：「基金會團隊規模雖小，但每位成員都滿懷熱情，專注於用心支持孩子們的『下一個篇章』，提供我們力所能及的幫助。」

此外，他透露新專輯《鋼琴書2》即將發行。「這個系列是我回歸學琴初心的作品，也是一段全新的旅程，希望它能為大家帶來幸福和力量。」他寄望大家在演奏和聆聽時，都能享受其中，並保持自己的風格，保留心中的童真。

More from Fête Chiniose

Braden Chong: New Flavours in Chinese-Canadian Cuisine 第三代尋味•張一飛

“Food was always at the centre of my family,” says Braden Chong, executive chef at MIMI Chinese and Sunnys Chinese, two acclaimed restaurants in Toronto. “I loved eating. I was curious about how it was cooked and why I liked it so much.”

Born in 1994, Chong grew up in a Chinese-Canadian household as the youngest of three brothers. His grandparents immigrated from the Guangzhou region to Canada in the 1950s, bringing with them the flavours and traditions of southern China.

Canada’s Glamorous Gourmand Mijune Pak Talks About Building A Life in Gastronomy 殿堂級食評家•白敏令

Her curiosity is boundless, as is her appetite. So it’s jarring to hear that Mijune Pak had trouble keeping food down while travelling through Dubai, Oman, Qatar, and the Maldives earlier this year. “Za’atar. Cumin. Normally, I love all that stuff,” she says, making a face at the memory. But normal wasn’t her state at the time: she was in her first trimester, expecting her first child. Those scents simply weren’t agreeing with her.

Lang Lang: Connecting Hearts with Every Note 以琴聲連結世界•郎朗

Master Builder Joo Kim Tiah Has Big Plans for Vancouver, Starting with Its Tallest Tower「青出於藍」畫出溫哥華更人性化的天際線房地產巨擘 • 程如錦

On a video call from his Vancouver office, Joo Kim Tiah sits with the city’s skyline behind him, a skyline he’s about to transform with what may be his most defining project yet.

The real estate developer’s vision: a $2.8-billion development that would rise from two downtown blocks, an architectural statement that will become Vancouver’s most ambitious mixed-use complex to date.

The Double Life of Liann Zhang: The Vancouver-Born Author’s Debut Thriller, Set In The Cut-Throat World of Influencers, Is As Sharp And Addictive As The Feeds It Skewers 新世代小說家•張麗安

“I love being a dragon,” Liann Zhang says when the subject of the Chinese zodiac comes up. “It’s this random mystical beast in the middle of it all. I feel very powerful.”

Dragons, she adds, are brave and up for adventure, qualities that suit anyone writing a novel. Zhang just did. At just 23, she’s already seeing her debut thriller, Julie Chan is Dead, become one of the buzziest Canadian novels of the year, thanks in part to its setting in the murky world of influencers. The title is a tease; the story is even sharper.

Flying High: Skye Chan Never Planned on Pageants, Television Hosting or Health Advocacy. But Pragmatism Has a Way of Opening Unexpected Doors 陳倩揚 • 每次轉身，活出自己節奏的港姐

During a break from her flight schedule in 2008, Skye Chan spotted a television advertisement for Miss Hong Kong pageant entrants. Most flight attendants might have dismissed the idea immediately. Chan had built her reputation on efficiency and professionalism, not the polished glamour typically associated with beauty competitions.

Yet something about the opportunity intrigued her. At twenty-three, Chan knew the eligibility cutoff of twenty-four made this her only opportunity to apply, so she downloaded the form and asked her mother to be her nominee. “You never know until you take a step forward,” she says.

Chan had no illusions about her chances.

Annie Huang Finds Purpose Helping Young Musicians in Toronto 重譜第二人生 • 黄靜

On screen, Huang sat in a softly lit room at home, framed by an intricately carved wooden cabinet, its surface etched with ancient figures and traditional buildings. She smiled, glanced back at the cabinet and let the moment linger.

Off camera, one can imagine that cabinet, rich with the charm of Chinese design, has witnessed many changing seasons since her arrival in Toronto from Shanghai nearly a decade ago. It seems to speak for itself: solid, silent and carrying its own history into a new country where Huang has built a new life.

Ginalina: Bridging Culture Through Music 林佳君：平凡人成就不平凡

Ginalina, the stage name of Vancouver-based musician Gina Lam, weaves a tapestry of sound that bridges cultures and generations. Her latest album, All The Earth Speaks, released last fall, is a testament to her artistic vision—a fusion of traditional Chinese and Taiwanese folk music with contemporary Western influences.

David Kuo: From Hoop Dreams to Banking Professional (With a Heart of Gold) 郭劍民：「球」勝之道

As one of the most influential figures in Canadian banking and the game-changing founder of the Chinese Canadian Youth Athletics Association (CCYAA), Kuo was unraveling the many layers of his multi-faceted identity during our interview for this magazine article. His wife and in-laws are from Hong Kong, his father was originally from China and moved to Taiwan, his mother is Taiwanese, and Kuo himself works here as an all-in Canadian. This unique combination has positioned him well to interact with people from various Chinese backgrounds, blending the East and the West.

Lesley Chiang: A Journey of Resilience and Advocacy 姜麗文：星光延續

Lesley Chiang's career trajectory reflects her diverse talents and multicultural background. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver, this Canadian actress and singer-songwriter has made waves in both the music and film industries while becoming a vocal advocate for mental health awareness.

“I grew up in Vancouver, and it's always such a big part of me and it's something I'm really proud of to be Chinese Canadian,” she says. This multicultural upbringing provided her with a unique perspective that infuses her work.

Karen Mak: Building Through Passion 麥嘉慧：以激情塑造奢侈品店設計的世界

The traits you carry through life can lead you down various paths, whether familiar or foreign. Comfort may guide you along the well-trodden route, while whimsy might take you somewhere new. Passion, on the other hand, will always propel you far and wide, on bright thoroughfares and dark laneways alike. It will help you navigate the sea of self-doubt and traverse the path of confidence. Passion will challenge you and lift you when you fall. Such is the essence of Karen Mak, whose life is driven by passion.

Johnnie To: Master of Hong Kong Cinema 杜琪峯：香港電影不死

In the pantheon of Hong Kong cinema, Johnnie To Kei-fung stands as a colossus. With a career spanning over five decades, To has evolved from a commercial success to an internationally acclaimed auteur, leaving an indelible mark on the industry alongside contemporaries such as Wong Kar-wai, Tsui Hark, and John Woo.