Will Chinese star pianist Lang Lang have to call it quits because of arm injury?
Flamboyant musician facing slower than expected recovery from tendinitis in left arm
The future of top Chinese pianist Lang Lang’s career could be in question as he struggles with “slower than expected” recovery from the left arm tendinitis that caused him to cancel a Hong Kong performance this month.
The 35-year-old musician, one of the world’s most sought after performers, was originally expected to play with the visiting Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre this month.
“Lang Lang very much regrets that he is forced to withdraw from his upcoming concerts … to allow additional time to recover fully from a tendinitis of his left arm,” said a press statement by the Berlin Phil, arguably the world’s best orchestra.
The statement, dated October 12, was issued less than a month before the flamboyant pianist was set to play Bela Bartok’s second piano concerto, which he recorded four years ago with the Berlin group under chief conductor Simon Rattle.
Watch: Lang Lang teaching piano, but only with his right hand
The November 10 concert was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty with Lang, a Hong Kong resident since 2006 through the Quality Migrant Scheme, as the soloist. South Korean pianist Seong-jin Cho will perform in his stead.