Readers of The Times asked Lang Lang questions – here are some of his answers:
What’s the one thing that no one knows about you?
LL: Every time when my flight is landing, I switch on the overhead light, count to ten and turn it off, to bring luck to the next city.
Which composer do you identify with the most?
LL: Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Beethoven
What is your greatest fear?
LL: Hurting my fingers or arms.
What is your motto?
LL: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step — Lao-tzu
What did you lose out on by having to spend so much time practising?
LL: Part of game time, but I did enjoy my childhood.
Looking back at your life, if you did one thing differently, what would it be?
LL: Play more sports!
Which country’s women do you like best?
LL: I like the type of woman who is sweet, charming and loves music.
Of course he wisely didn’t answer that last question.
Photo: Detlef Schneider