WHAT TO LISTEN FOR: Pianophiles will want to jump to the disc's final selection, Islamey, to gasp in awe at Lang Lang's digital dexterity and derring-do. But the most impressive aspect of the recital is its breadth. From the elegant, witty Haydn Sonata that opens the program through the splashy romanticism of Rachminanov's Second Sonata to the profound poignance of late Brahms, Lang Lang always sounds at home. In fact, the recital's eclecticism is no accident. "If I only did Russian composers, then maybe people would say, 'He's really good, but only for Russian repertory,' " the pianist explains. "I want to play everything!"

THE BIG BREAK: Lang Lang came to the United States in 1997 to study at Philadelphia's prestigious Curtis Institute, where he still studies with Gary Graffman. He was an exceptional, if unknown, talent from the start. Then, in 1999, Lang Lang developed that most mercurial trait: luck. André Watts was forced to cancel a star-studded gala at Chicago's distinguished Ravinia Festival, and Lang Lang -- who had auditioned for festival director Christoph Eschenbach just two days earlier -- was tapped to fill in. "I played almost 80 minutes," he says, recalling his audition, "which is very long, almost like a recital. Afterwards, Maestro Eschenbach asked, 'What concerto would you want to play with the orchestra?' And I said, 'the Tchaikovsky First.' " Lang Lang got his wish, appearing onstage with Alicia DeLarrocha, Leon Fleisher, Isaac Stern, Midori, and other luminaries of the classical music world. The audience went wild and the press raved.

WHAT HE DOES FOR AN ENCORE: Lang Lang celebrated his success that same evening with an impromptu performance of Bach's monumental Goldberg Variations, playing into the wee hours of the morning at the urging of Eschenbach, Midori, and a handful of other new fans. "I hadn't played that piece in two years, but I sat down and played almost 70 minutes. I was pretty surprised I could still play!"

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY?: Since that now-historic concert at Ravinia, Lang Lang has been playing all over the United States, including acclaimed debuts with the nation's major orchestras. Although most performers suffer from stage fright, Lang Lang has no fear when it comes to appearing before an audience. "Nervousness doesn't help, right?" he says with a nearly audible shrug. In fact he prefers a crowd. "When an audience is there, I can share the music. I will bring more out of my heart than if I play by myself."

LOOKING AHEAD: Lang Lang has his sights set on Europe. "I love America," he says, "but I think when you play in Europe you get a different feeling because that's where the music was born. I want to see the world. Sometimes traveling can be really tiring, but it's so great for a musician because when you see more you will understand more." Then there are other aspirations, like waving a baton. "I think it would be so great to be a conductor," he confesses. "Lots of pianists and violinists want to conduct after a while, and people say, 'Don't be another bad conductor!' If I'm going to do it, I want to be good, otherwise I'm not going to be a conductor at all."

INSPIRATIONAL SOUNDS: Since Lang Lang's playing harks back to the Romantic tradition, it's not surprising that he admires the virtuosos of yore. "I love to listen to Arthur Rubinstein and Vladimir Horowitz," he says. "Definitely they are the two greatest masters of all time. I also like Rudolf Serkin, Claudio Arrau, and others from the older generation. Today so many pianists play really great, but the taste is different. Rubinstein's and Horowitz's playing is so original. When Horowitz records something, of course he does everything that the composer says, but he also creates his own style. That's what I want to do. You must have a strong personality."

WHAT HE DOES WHEN HE'S NOT PLAYING THE PIANO: He loves going to the movies, playing ping pong, and talking with friends. "You cannot just play the piano all day," he says with a chuckle, "you must have some fun too." Somebody set him straight: Listening to Lang Lang play is fun.

--Andrew Farach-Colton

February 27, 2001