Photographer:

Superstar pianist Lang Lang comes to the Adrienne Arsht Center's Knight Concert Hall on Tuesday, April 16. (Photo by Haiqiang Lv)

Michelle F. Solomon, Editor

When he was 17 years old, pianist Lang Lang made a dramatic last-minute substitution for the famous Andre Watts to perform in the "Gala Of The Century," playing a Tchaikovsky concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

An “overnight star,” the world’s finest concert halls quickly beckoned, and his subsequent career turned Lang Lang into a reputation as one of the world’s most prolific and highest-profile recording artists, playing to sold out concerts in every major city around the world.

Now, Lang Lang comes to the Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16,

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Pianist Lang Lang returns to the Arsht Center on Tuesday, April 16, for a one-night-only solo recital of music by three of the greatest and most popular keyboard composers of the Romantic era. (Photo by Xin Qiu)

Lang Lang started playing the piano when he was three years old and by the age of five had given his first public recital. He entered Beijing’s Central Music Conservatory at the age of nine, and by the age of 13 had won first prize at the Tchaikovsky International Young Musicians’ Competition, playing the complete Chopin Etudes at the Beijing Concert Hall.

Leaving his hometown in Shenyang, China, Lang Lang soon joined the world-famous Curtis Institute of Music Philadelphia and began studies under the tutelage of country’s leading music professors, Gary Graffman.

Reaching audiences of all sizes, few come bigger than that of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra, of which Lang Lang was the first official Ambassador; a role, created by YouTube and Google that combined two of his great loves, music and outreach through technology.

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Chinese virtuoso pianist Lang Lang won international acclaim while a teenager and his expressiveness and charisma has made him one of the most sought-after performers on the stage today. (Photo courtesy of Xin Qiu)

Lang Lang is first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic orchestras. He has also performed at many prestigious events worldwide. More than four billion people around the world viewed his performance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and, from many landmark events, he was honoured to perform recently for both President Barack Obama and former President Hu Jin-Tao of China at the White House State Dinner, as well as at the Diamond Jubilee celebratory concert for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Lang Lang has performed for numerous international dignitaries including the former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, as well as several Presidents and members of royal families around the world.

His program in Miami includes his renowned interpretations of masterworks including:

FAURÉ Pavane:

• SCHUMANN Kreisleriana, Op. 16

CHOPIN Mazurkas:

• Op. 7 No. 3
• Op. 17 No. 1, 2, 4
• Op. 24 No. 2, 4
• Op. 30 No. 3, 4
• Op. 33 No. 3, 4, 2
• Op. 59 No. 3
• CHOPIN Polonaise in F# minor, Op. 44

With its delicate, elegant and sensuous melody, Pavane is one of Fauré’s most memorable and delectable creations. Schumann’s Kreisleriana, on the other hand, is an intensely dramatic work in eight movements, creating a kaleidoscope of contrasting moods. Dedicated to Chopin, Schumann claimed it was his favorite work, and it is considered one of his finest compositions.

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Lang Lang has played sold-out concerts in every major city in the world in solo recitals and with all the outstanding American and international orchestras. His visits to South Florida are always major cultural events. (Photo by Haiqiang Lv)

The remainder of the program consists of 14 pieces by the poetic genius of 19th century piano compositions. Chopin wrote 77 mazurkas and polonaises, inspired by the lively dances and folk music of his native Poland but transformed by the composer’s unparalleled gift for melody, rhythm and harmony into some of the most beguiling and sophisticated music written for the concert hall.

WHAT: Knight Masterworks Classical Music series with Lang Lang

WHERE: Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

WHEN: Tuesday, April 16

HOW MUCH: Tickets are $170. Knight Masterworks Classical Music subscribers save over 20% on single tickets.

INFORMATION: Learn more at arshtcenter.org/classical.