Lang Lang: Playing With Flying Keys

by Lang Lang, Michael R. French, Andrew Pang

Lang Lang started learning to play the piano when he was three years old in Shenyang, China. Today he is one of the world’s most outstanding pianists. In this engrossing life story, adapted by Michael French, Lang Lang not only recounts the difficult, often thrilling, events of his early days, but also shares his perspective on his rapidly changing homeland. He thoughtfully explores the differences between East and West, especially in the realm of classical music and cultural life. Shining through his rags-to-riches story of a child prodigy who came of age as a renowned musician, Lang Lang’s positive spirit, his dynamic personality, and his enduring passion for music will inspire listeners of all ages.

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Memoir, Autobiography

Audio

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Journey of a Thousand Miles

Number One was a phrase my father -- and, for that matter, my mother --repeated time and time again. It was a phrase spoken by my parents friends and by their friends children. Whenever adults discussed the great Chinese painters and sculptors from the ancient dynasties, there was always a single artist named as Number One. There was the Number One leader of a manufacturing plant, the Number One worker, the Number One scientist, the Number One car mechanic. In the culture of my childhood, being best was everything. It was the goal that drove us, the motivation that gave life meaning. And if, by chance or fate or the blessings of the generous universe, you were a child in whom talent was evident, Number One became your mantra. It became mine. I never begged my parents to take off the pressure. I accepted it; I even enjoyed it. It was a game, this contest among aspiring pianists, and although I may have been shy, I was bold, even at age five, when faced with a field of rivals.

Born in China to parents whose musical careers were interrupted by the Cultural Revolution, Lang Lang has emerged as one of the greatest pianists of our time. Yet despite his fame, few in the West know of the heart-wrenching journey from his early childhood as a prodigy in an industrial city in northern China to his difficult years in Beijing to his success today.

Journey of a Thousand Miles documents the remarkable, dramatic story of a family who sacrificed almost everything -- his parents marriage, financial security, Lang Langs childhood, and their reputation in Chinas insular classical music world -- for the belief in a young boys talent. And it reveals the devastating and intense relationship between a boy and his father, who was willing to go to any length to make his son a star.

An engaging, informative cultural commentator who bridges East and West, Lang Lang has written more than an autobiography: his book opens a door to China, where Lang Lang is a cultural icon, at a time when the worlds attention will be on Beijing. Journey of a Thousand Miles is an inspiring story that will give readers an appreciation for the courage and sacrifice it takes to achieve greatness."

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoir of a prodigy and his abusive father.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been following the YouTuber duo, TwoSet Violin, and though I am not a classical musician, I have found a new appreciation to classical music. Because I've been watching a lot of their videos, there have been video suggestions of Lang Lang's performances and this is pretty much the reason why I decided to pick up and listen to the audio book.

This book was published in 2008, and it definitely is not the newest book. And I have a feeling if this book is read by teens or kids today, there might be some parts that are lost in translation. And since I'm not a teen anymore, I have this point where I felt nostalgic with the things that he mentions. I especially like the part that he has to run to the phone and answer it in a receiver. It's just those things that I just appreciate.

What I appreciate the most is that his book has a tendency of becoming very relatable. I am Asian and I moved to America. Though I didn't have to move when I was a teen, I can totally relate to the things that bind us to Asia and the new things that we discover in America. I also really appreciate the struggles that he went through being Chinese and the expectations not only by his parents but also the society and his birth country.

I honestly feel like even though this is about a classical musician, any reader can relate to his story. Because it is a story of growth, overcoming difficulties, and facing expectations.

Though this book was published years ago, I totally recommend people to read this book!

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's so interesting to read an autobiography written by someone not so far from childhood. Published in 2008, when Lang Lang wasn't yet thirty, the focus is on his growing up. He gives a unique perspective on his unique life, including the frequent fireworks with his father and some teachers. Most interesting to me is his clear struggle in trying to give his father the benefit of the doubt on paper; they are clearly similar people, but so much of his dad was formed by the heartbreak of the cultural revolution. I respect Lang Lang more for this generosity, when he could have easily painted his father as the villain of the piece.

[Corrine Ying · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boy really enjoyed this book. He plays the piano and since Lang Lang is a superstar in the piano world, he requested to read this autobiographical work. It turned out to be a very enjoyable and eye-opening read. No doubt, also heart-wrenching during the part about Lang Lang’s childhood, his obsessed father and the toxic music professor he met. But overall it is very uplifting. We are happy that Lang Lang has managed to transcend all these struggles. We also learned that success is not possible without hard work.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lang Lang's passion for the piano and music began when he was only two years old, and miraculously continued to love the piano in spite of his father's obsession with making Lang Lang the #1 pianist in the world. I would recommend this book to kids in middle and high school who are musicians, and not just pianists.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. I don't read autobiographies but this one was too good to put down. I have such a huge respect for Lang Lang after reading about his journey to the top. It was so digestible and funny and raw. Made me want to play piano again after not touching the instrument for weeks. I want to feel music the way he does. Amazing.

[Ex Libris Meis]

Even though it was painful for me to read all the difficult situations he was put in by his father, for Lang Lang to become famous, I am wondering if there are any examples of prodigy children who were not pushed to their limits by their parents. Sometimes, against their children will. (I suppose John, Paul, George și Ringo (alias BEATLES) their parents did not push them.)
“This was my father’s dream for me, and it had become mine as well.”
http://www.exlibrismeis.com/en/2019/0...

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So intense....

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is all the more enjoyable if you yourself are a pianist. This was interesting culturally for me as well.

[Zhon Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply written, and highly enjoyable.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

The name Lang Lang should be a household word by now. Performing in the Bird's Nest for the Opening Ceremony at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, over 34.9 million viewers in the U.S. alone tuned in to watch. For many, this was their first introduction to the musical phenomena from China. At only 26 years of age, Lang Lang has accomplished more than many twice his age.

Starting at a young age, when most of us aren't even out of diapers yet, Lang Lang showed an affinity for the piano. Not being able to reach the pedals, and needing pillows under him to reach the keys, Lang Lang was a prodigy.

Coming from a humble background from the city of Shenyang, located northeast of Beijing, the only chance of any future in classical piano for Lang Lang would come if he could gain acceptance to the conservatory in Beijing. But he would have to place in the top eight to win one of the precious scholarships. Lang Lang's family could ill afford for him to attend without the scholarship. His family had sacrificed everything for him to get this far. His father left his job in Shenyang to travel to Beijing to be with Lang Lang. Lang Lang's mother remained in Shenyang to be the breadwinner of the family and support both Lang Lang and his father.

Spurred by his father's demand to be the best and Number 1, Lang Lang enters piano competitions, aspiring to be the best in China, then Europe, and ultimately the world. After winning the prestigious Tchaikovsky prize in Japan, he is admitted to the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. While there, he continues his training, awaiting his lucky break into the world of classical piano.

LANG LANG: PLAYING WITH FLYING KEYS is a truly inspiring story. It tells of one young man's struggles to overcome poverty and his country's disdain to become one of the world's most renowned classical pianists. Through trials and triumphs, Lang Lang always retains his love for the piano. He shares his love of music with the reader. The writing style flows easily for younger readers to enjoy. The story is truly inspirational and one that celebrates the spirit of music.

[Shenek · Rating 4 out of 5]

An autobiography of a child prodigy from China. A fascinating book. It makes me realize that China and the U.S. are in different worlds. I doubt that he would have been a child prodigy if he had been born in the states. His father had a very strict work ethic that Lang Lang was forced to followed. Lang Lang shows how this strict work ethic plus the love of his mother and the teachings of his professors brought him to where he stands today.

My biggest complaint....this is a book on CD about a pianist...Why couldn't they include just a few minutes (at least) of his playing?

[Doris Wedge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story of the brilliant classical pianist Lang Lang (that's his real first and last name, with each having a different meaning in Chinese lore). He learned to play the piano at age 2 and by by his teen years he had won national (China) and international awards and estimates he had spent 20,000 hours in practice. Readers of "The Outliers" will have a reference point in the number 10,000 hours of so many high achievers. He grew up in such poverty, and had parents who devoted their lives to his success ... a very interesting story.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just started listening to this one today for my time in the van when the kids have been dropped off. I'm really enjoying it.

Update: I really, really liked this book on CD. I loved hearing about growing up in China as a prodigy. I loved hearing about the intersection between American and Chinese culture. Lang Lang is an amazing individual. I'd really like to see him perform live. I'm going to look at my library to see if there are any DVD's to check out!

[Clarissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of an amazing life in which Liang Liang has become a world renown piano player at an amazingly young age.

WowI am so not a tiger mom! This kind of upbringing seems like terrible child abuse to me. He does seem like an amazing person, who has worked unbelievably hard to get where he is now, but his fathers driving need to make him the number one piano player In the world dominated his entire childhood, with practicing the piano for eight hours a day for years.

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I was getting "Lang Lang: Journey of a Thousand Miles" from the library, and didn't realize that there are two Lang Lang biographies. It seems that this one is geared towards youth, so it wasn't as in-depth in regards to his feelings about his father and as a pianist I wanted to know more about the specifics of his practicing. Interesting nonetheless to read how he came up the ranks and was discovered.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe this is a youth abridgment of his "Journey of a Thousand Miles." American readers may be disturbed by Lang Lang's father's singlemindedness in making his son the #1 pianist in the world. But it is also a viewpoint on cultural differences regarding success. Fortunately, Lang Lang also has had mentors, role models and experiences that taught him the importance of balance in life. A provocative biography about a child prodigy.

[Ilib4kids · Rating 2 out of 5]

YB LANG
YCD B LANG

I am interested in his story. 2000 per years practice is unbelievable. Comparing to tiger mom, his father could be considered as super super super Tiger. He is born in 1982, Shenyang, China.
One aspect I find particular interesting is Lang Lang's reflection of high competitive artistic culture in China, question about being Number One, acquiring an understanding of spirituality.

[Podaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helps the reader really understand how youth move through the competition processes in the world of music. It also allows us to view his home and country life whether in China and America. I appreciated how some of the masters of the piano around the world embraced him and helped him to cultivate his own style and competence in that.

[Karen Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book, then you'll know what made Lang Lang the way he is today. The way his father raised him proved exactly what Malcolm Gladwell pointed out in his book, The Outliers...There's no such thing as a prodigy, but a hardworking person who happens to be at the right place at the right time, and works on whatever he's good at much more frequently than all the other people.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in reading this after hearing Lang Lang perform. The novel highlights the culture differences between China and North America. Even though I know I will never be as accomplished in music as Lang Lang, this novel furthered my enjoyment of music and has urged me to be passionate about my music, the same way attending the symphony does.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read both the adult and young adult version of this book. I believe that much of the material was taken from the adult edition written by David Ritz but somehow this one, oriented towards younger readers, seemed more compelling. It could be because Lang Lang's early life in China was so harrowing and dramatic; it was more effective from a younger POV.

[Rudy Cordeiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. My wife and I had the opportunity to watch him in concert, and his fiery personality was only matched by his technical virtuosity. Although this bio goes only into his early thirties, it was still a good documentation of the journey Lang Lang had to take to get to the world stage.

[Cherlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

AFter reading Battle Hymn of Mother Tiger, this one was mild. And in Lang Lang's case it was a Father Tiger. Interesting story, but I just have to wonder about all those pianists out there who practice hours and hours and aren't winners of the competitions.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up on the $1 shelf. An interesting read for those interested in Chinese culture and parenting. He provides a view that's heartbreaking at times. I need to check into the real world of classical music and see how he's doing now :-).

[Analisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy and enjoyable read. I can't help but wonder if all the sacrifice and time he spent (especially as a YOUNG child) are worth it. I will never know...I'll never spend as much time, nor be able to play as well.

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monkey King!

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...I'm amazed of what he had to go through to get to where he's at. Very inspiring! I actually saw him perform live at the San Francisco Davis Symphony Hall last December.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about hard work. In particular, the different form competition takes in America vs. China was pretty interesting. And the physical-heaviness-to-worth-carrying-around ratio was right on.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg. i really enjoyed this book. it was amazing.