Lang Lang at the Elbphilharmonie:The Wait Was Worth It
When the limited-edition Steinway & Sons “Black Diamond” concert grand, designed by Chinese Steinway Artist Lang Lang, was rolled onto the stage for his debut at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, a murmur went through the packed hall. It would be hard to imagine a more impressive welcome for a star pianist returning after a long injury-related break.
The wait had been worth it. That was true both for the artist, who said he could finally enjoy the beauty of the Elbphilharmonie, and for the audience, who experienced Lang Lang in top form together with the outstanding Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Manfred Honeck. They only let him go into intermission after two encores.
For a small number of guests, this very special experience continued after the concert. At an exclusive meet-and-greet organized by Steinway & Sons in the Elbphilharmonie’s Kaistudio, Lang Lang made a point of presenting a few musical performances on his grand piano and meeting several owners of the Black Diamond Edition, as well as other guests. It was a very personal evening that many attendees will never forget. Photos: © Peter Hundert