Martin Li

    martin.mouse@163.com

    SHENZHEN’S international goodwill ambassador Lang Lang, a talented young Chinese pianist, has been granted a Dushkin Award by the Music Institute of Chicago (MIC) in the United States.

    Lang is the first Chinese artist to claim the award, which was established in 1985 in honor of MIC’s founders, Dorothy and David Dushkin. The award is aimed at recognizing international luminaries in the music world for their contributions to music and to the education of youth.

    “I’m very pleased to receive the award. I’d like to thank Chicago, where I made my name by playing a song. It is also the only place where I performed three times as a substitute. I should deserve the title of ‘super substitute,’” the pianist said at the May 13 awards ceremony in the United States. The ceremony marked the 83rd anniversary of the MIC’s opening.

    “This award will encourage me to make more contributions to music education and give positive influences, surprises, inspiration and encouragement to more youths who are fond of the arts,” Lang said. “I will continue working hard to follow great artists.”

    Before the award was presented, MIC musicians played a folk song from northeastern China, where Lang is from, on the flute and cello.

    Lang said supporters and sponsors of art culture play very important roles in the development of talented youth, so there should be more cooperation between artists and supporters in music education efforts.

    The pianist will soon launch a performance tour in South America, where he’ll show his talent in Colombia, Brazil, Chile and Peru.

    In addition, Lang will hold a charity concert at Carnegie Hall in New York on June 3, in the name of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. The concert will raise funds for talented young musicians who need financial help.

    Previous recipients of the Dushkin Award include Stephen Sondheim, Yo-Yo Ma and Renée Fleming.

    Lang was named one of Shenzhen’s international goodwill ambassadors in January 2012. He promotes the city’s international image in various ways, including by actively participating in local trade and cultural promotion conferences, as well as raising awareness of the city through his worldwide concert tours.

    Lang has opened his own piano school, Lang Lang Music World, in Shenzhen.