Lang-Lang.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Chinese piano prodigy Lang Lang received the prestigious German Bambi Award at Berlin's Theater am Potsdamer Platz on Thursday, China Daily reported.
Lang, who was given the award for his outstanding achievement in classical music, is the first Chinese to win the award.
"I'm very happy and honored to receive this award for the first time, very special," said the 32-year-old pianist.
He will use the award to promote universal music education around the world, he added.
"My concept is learning music happily, combining foreign and Chinese advantages to systematize music teaching," Lang said.
The Bambi is considered to be Germany's highest media award given by journalists and acknowledges the work of excellent individuals who have made an impact on the German and international audiences.
Aside from music, Lang is also actively involved in music education projects and charitable activities.
He inaugurated his own music school, the Lang Lang Piano Academy, in September, along with the institution's first series of books on the piano.
The books, which are in printed and digital formats, cater to pianists of all skill levels.
"The books are systematic products as I use the traditional Chinese tunes as well as Western music," Lang said.
During the Bambi awarding ceremony, Lang performed a piano solo and played with fellow awardee, tenor Jonas Kaufmann.
Also awarded were Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, who was honored for her "engagement against domestic violence," and German singer Helene Fischer, who received the award for the second time.
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton, former South African president Nelson Mandela, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and American actor Keanu Reeves are among the previous Bambi Award winners.
