Lang Lang shines at Carnegie Hall Opening Night Gala

The renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang joined the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on Wednesday for the opening night gala of Carnegie Hall 2010-2011 season, drawing thunderous applause from audience.

Attended by prestigious guests every year, Carnegie Hall Opening Night Gala is a premier event in New York's cultural and social calendar.

Conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, the opening night concert featured Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major and Symphony No. 7.

Lang impressed the audiences with almost flawless skills and strong passion. He played the last movement of Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 7 as an encore after the longtime applause and cheering from more than 2,700 audiences.

"Playing Beethoven is such a pleasure for me. His music is rhythmic yet sensible. It is like viewing a grand architecture as you can appreciate it from different angles," the 28-year-old pianist told Xinhua.

Although Lang has played around 30 concerts at Carnegie Hall since ten years ago, it is the first time for him to play at the opening night gala, which he said is very "significant and an honor" for him.

The opening night gala also marked the 101st performance of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra to play in Carnegie Hall, making a record among all the foreign orchestras ever played in the hall.

"I really appreciate the traditional style of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Performing with them sparks special inspirations for me, as if I was having a conversation with Beethoven on the stage," said Lang, who just finished his concert tour from Europe and Canada.

Arpi Kalajian, who used to be a violinist, came to attend the opening night gala from Los Angeles with her husband. It is her first time to see Lang playing the piano.

"I have never heard anything like this. Amazing. He plays so colorful, a combination of profession and passion," she said during the intermission.

Lang, who has been chosen as an official worldwide ambassador for the 2010 Shanghai Expo, will perform in Shanghai on Oct. 1 to celebrate China's National Day and China's Pavilion Day.