Lang Lang Releases a New Album, 'New York Rhapsody,' in Tribute to the Big Apple

World-renowned pianist Lang Lang's newest album, New York Rhapsody, is set to hit music shelves on Sept. 16 via Sony Classical. The latest effort from the Chinese concert pianist was envisioned as an ode to the musician's beloved "City that Never Sleeps," New York City.

In a press release, Lang Lang describes the album's inspiration in the unceasing muse that is the music of the world's foremost cultural mecca and the pianist's adopted home city:

"I made this album because I wanted to pay homage to the city that I love," says Lang Lang of New York Rhapsody. "This city has changed the course of music more than any other in the last hundred years. It has inspired and enriched me beyond words and has become my home away from home."

As we previously reported, Lang Lang has received his fair share of all-star treatment as one of the world's leading classical pianists. In the aforementioned report, The Classical Arts described the musician's debut performance in Brisbane, Australia, and the adoring Australian fans who were thrilled to witness a unique and stellar performance from the lauded Lang Lang.

In an interview with The Guardian, Lang Lang detailed his quest to become the world's leading piano performer. Now that he has mastered that domain, he seeks to touch audiences worldwide with his uncanny gift of piano performance:

"I am, first and last, a classical musician. But when you sit down and practice, technical issues apart, what I'm concerned about is how music can touch us, what can I learn from the piano in life? That should be the concrete thinking for everyone. OK, when I was two, I wanted to be No. 1, [the] best in the world. But it was all a fantasy, a wild dream. Now, it's about the joy music can give."

Below, listen to Lang Lang's "Empire State of Mind" from the forthcoming New York Rhapsody.

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