Lang Lang opens Chopin Year at NCPA in Beijing

A year of global events are marking the 200th anniversary the birth of the great Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin. And no matter where you are, there is an opportunity to be involved. The series opens in Beijing with world famous young pianist Lang Lang playing at the National Center for the Performing Arts on Monday night.

As with most pianists in China, Lang Lang has had a special connection with Chopin since the beginning of his career. Back in 1995, the 13-year-old won the first prize in the Tchaikovsky Piano Competition following his performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No.2.

And this Thursday, Lang Lang will interpret Chopin's "Tristesse" during the award ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize in Stockholm,Sweden. He will also play the soundtrack of "Project Chopin", the biggest 3-D European animation film which tells the story of Chopin.

Lang Lang said, "For me, my mission is to bring the closest feeling as possible to the original score as the one he wrote. But obviously, unfortunately, I can't talk to him at this moment to say, maestro, which way is the best way to play your music. I don't think Chopin would be happy if everyone played his music the same way. So my point is that we should really appreciate his music and at the same time connect with his heart. And I think that's the best we can do."

Performances of his music will be the leading feature of Chopin Year, 2010. Three highlights will be the weekly birthday celebrations featuring the best of today's pianists playing Chopin's works, the European Chopin Festival and the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition.

In Beijing, world famous pianists from seven countries will stage 14 concerts interpreting their favourite Chopin pieces at the National Center for the Performing Arts from this December to the end of next year.