Abu Dhabi Classics introduces mesmerizing performance by Lang Lang

The event was attended by H.E. Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, H.E. Ambassador Gao Yusheng, of the People's Republic of China, as well as H.E. Ambassador Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart of Switzerland as well as American actress Glenn Close.

Lang Lang, who was called by the New York Times the 'hottest artist on the classical music planet', stunned the audience with his talent and unique playing style as he preformed Franz Schubert's lyrical and expansive Piano No. 20 Sonata in A Major 959 before progressing to Bela Bartók's inventive and spontaneous Piano Sonata Sz. 80 following the intermission.

Lang Lang then played Claude Debussy's imaginative Seven Preludes from First and Second Books before ending with Chopin's extraordinary Polonaise A-flat Major, Op 53 (or Heroic Polnaise). Attendees were awed by the performance, as they reacted with a prolonged roaring applause and standing ovation.

Lang Lang has previously preformed for global leaders including H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, H.R.H. Prince Charles, Prince Albert II of Monaco, the former secretary general of the United Nations Kofi Anan. The 26-year-old Chinese pianists' recordings have all entered the classical charts as well as many pop charts around the globe. They include Beethoven's Concertos Nos. 1 and 5, with the Orcestre de Paris and Christoph Escenbach.

Abu Dhabi Classics continues on Thursday, 19 March 2009 at the Emirates Palace Auditorium, starting at 20:00 hours. The evening will see highlights of Spanish and Russian masterpieces, preformed by the Orchestra de la Comunitat Valencia, conducted by Lorin Maazel with famed pianist Arcadi Volodos.