Lang Lang Receives Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

On April 10th, the superstar pianist Lang Lang will be the 2,778th person to be given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Lang Lang is the first Asian pianist to be honoured by the organization, and is being recognized for his “outstanding contributions to the world of classical music” as well as his “extraordinary talent.”

Catch-up: This isn’t the first blockbuster award for the 41-year-old pianist. In 2009, Lang Lang was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People (check out his Time profile by jazz legend Herbie Hancock). Sports fans may also recognize the virtuoso from his performances at the 2008 Beijing Olympics’ Opening Ceremony as well as the final of the 2014 Fifa World Cup. Lang Lang is also a philanthropist. His charity, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation and Keys of Inspiration®, brings musical education to underserved British state schools. Lang Lang is also a UNICEF Ambassador and UN Messenger of Peace.

Digging deeper: And no worries, the classical phenom still spends some time at the keys. His most recent recordings include Lang Lang-Saint-Saëns (2024), which shares works suitable for young audiences including Carnival of the Animals, The Piano Book (2019), and his take on the infamously challenging Bach Goldberg Variations (2020). His tour schedule takes him to 16 cities in the next two months alone. Maybe you can catch this newly minted Hollywood starlet in your hometown.

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a soprano and writer born and bred in the heart of Toronto’s musical community. When she’s not singing opera, you can find her covering Carole King on the ukulele, biking through the Annex and advocating the merits of Puccini.