Lang Lang Comes to Mesa, April 27

After selling out in 2011, Mesa Arts Center is excited for the return of one of the most sought after musicians in the world. The influential and inspirational pianist Lang Lang will be performing on Saturday, April 27 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at MesaArtsCenter.com or by calling 480-644-6500.

Called "the hottest artist on the classical music planet" by the New York Times, the 29-year old Lang Lang has played sold out recitals and concerts in every major city in the world and has the honor of being the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and all the top American orchestras. Lang Lang appeared in the 2009 Time 100, which is Time magazine's annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the world. In 2008, Lang Lang played to an audience of over four billion people when he performed in Beijing's Opening Ceremony for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad. After that, Lang Lang was seen as a symbol of the youth and the future of China. The same year, Lang Lang was also featured at the Grammy Awards where he paired with jazz great Herbie Hancock for a jaw-dropping performance that was broadcasted live to approximately 45 million viewers worldwide.

After being seen as a symbol in China, Lang Lang inspired over 40 million Chinese children to learn to play classical piano. This phenomenon was coined by The Today Show as "the Lang Lang effect". This powerful influence was recognized by The Recording Academy who named him their Cultural Ambassador to China. Lang Lang has been chosen as the official worldwide ambassador to the 2010 Shanghai Expo and played at the opening ceremony. Recognizing his own power to inspire, Lang Lang has been giving back to children all over the world for nearly a decade through volunteer activities. Such volunteer activities include mentoring young rising pianists, performing for sick children in hospitals, and delivering classical music recitals in remote communities.