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LANG LANG

SHOWTIME

The world’s most famous classical musician and Guest Editor in 2012 (W*163), Lang Lang presented ten of his favourite concert venues around the world, from Beijing’s Bird’s Nest to a barn in Schleswig-Holstein, and the White House, where he played for presidents Bush and Obama

Illustrator Eoin Ryan

National Stadium, Beijing

‘I played in the Bird’s Nest at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games; I felt like I was playing to the universe.’

Ravinia Pavilion, Chicago

‘The concert I played here at the Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, when I was 17, marked the turning point of my career.’

Carnegie Hall, New York

‘It means a lot to me: my first live album was recorded here, and my home in NYC is right next to Carnegie Hall now.’

National Grand Theatre, Beijing

‘It’s a landmark building on Tiananmen Square, a very exciting venue symbolising a new milestone in China’s cultural scene. I played its first-ever New Year gala and first recital here; it is one of the best concert halls in China.’

The White House, Washington 

‘I played in the West Wing several times for President Bush, President Obama and the Chinese President Hu Jintao.’

Berliner Philharmoniker, Berlin 

‘One of the most significant classical concert venues in Europe, where I play every year. It has the most dedicated audience, and the sound is phenomenal from every angle.’

Musikverein, Vienna 

‘My first album with Sony was a live recording of a recital here.’

Temple of Heaven, Beijing 

‘I did a bit of filming at the Whispering Gallery of the Temple of Heaven, and the acoustics are amazing. It is an open-air venue, and I felt like I was having a dialogue with nature when I played here.’

Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Germany

‘This barn at the Schleswig-Holstein festival was the venue for my first concert in a major festival in Germany. It was a benefit concert, so it holds a very special place in my heart.’

Municipal House, Prague 

‘It’s a historic place and amazingly beautiful. I was stunned when I first played here last year. I remember the sound of Bach and Schubert are very intimate here. It’s like playing 200 years ago.’

Zaha Hadid 2008
Dieter Rams 2007
Christian Marclay 2011
David Lynch 2010
Frank Gehry 2014
Laurie Simmons 2013
Hedi Slimane 2007
Elmgreen & Dragset 2013
Jean Nouvel 2014
Jeff Koons 2007
Kraftwerk 2011
Karl Lagerfeld 2009
Liz Diller 2015
Philippe Starck 2009
Louise Bourgeois 2008
Ole Scheeren 2012
Rei Kawakubo 2008
Taryn Simon 2012
Robert Wilson 2010
Lang Lang 2012
William Wegman 2015