Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story
by Lang Lang, David Ritz
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Book Summary Information
Author: David Ritz, Lang LangEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-09-08
ISBN: 0385524579
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Spiegel & Grau
Book Reviews of Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story
Book Review: A Look Into Lang Lang's Past And Present - Very Interesting!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have heard much from various people about Lang Lang and his 'display' of piano playing, some might say. I feel he's a great musician that emotes himself a bit more 'out there' than others who are more reserved. You learn exactly where Lang Lang gets his drive and passion for music inside of this memoir.
This book is a fascinating read: Lang Lang collaborated with another writer to give you this very understandable book about his upbringing. Lang Lang goes all the way from when he just started piano, to his dad pushing him along the way, winning competitions, not doing MORE competitions, to how he is so utterly successful in the United States and throughout the world nowadays.
You can almost read each chapter as a separate look into Lang Lang's memory; I know that is how I read parts of it that I knew would fascinate me more than others. It is great to be able to hear this young pianist's thoughts about life, through practicing 8 hours a day, to finally feeling more like a "normal teenager" when he finally took a break from practicing due to an injury. He goes into detail about his life with performing, which I found to be thoroughly interesting.
Whether you are a harsh critic or committed fan of Lang Lang, I highly recommend this book. It is a quick read because of how easily the words flow out of the page. There is much to expect from Lang Lang in the future, seeing as he is still only in his twenties. I am looking forward to hopefully reading another memoir from this great artist farther down the road!
Summary of Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story
?Number One? was a phrase my father?and, for that matter, my mother?repeated time and time again. It was a phrase spoken by my parents? friends and by their friends? children. Whenever adults discussed the great Chinese painters and sculptors from the ancient dynasties, there was always a single artist named as Number One. There was the Number One leader of a manufacturing plant, the Number One worker, the Number One scientist, the Number One car mechanic. In the culture of my childhood, being best was everything. It was the goal that drove us, the motivation that gave life meaning. And if, by chance or fate or the blessings of the generous universe, you were a child in whom talent was evident, Number One became your mantra. It became mine. I never begged my parents to take off the pressure. I accepted it; I even enjoyed it. It was a game, this contest among aspiring pianists, and although I may have been shy, I was bold, even at age five, when faced with a field of rivals.Born in China to parents whose musical careers were interrupted by the Cultural Revolution, Lang Lang has emerged as one of the greatest pianists of our time. Yet despite his fame, few in the West know of the heart-wrenching journey from his early childhood as a prodigy in an industrial city in northern China to his difficult years in Beijing to his success today.
Journey of a Thousand Miles documents the remarkable, dramatic story of a family who sacrificed almost everything?his parents? marriage, financial security, Lang Lang?s childhood, and their reputation in China?s insular classical music world?for the belief in a young boy?s talent. And it reveals the devastating and intense relationship between a boy and his father, who was willing to go to any length to make his son a star.
An engaging, informative cultural commentator who bridges East and West, Lang Lang has written more than an autobiography: his book opens a door to China, where Lang Lang is a cultural icon, at a time when the world?s attention will be on Beijing. Written with David Ritz, the coauthor of many bestselling autobiographies, Journey of a Thousand Miles is an inspiring story that will give readers an appreciation for the courage and sacrifice it takes to achieve greatness.
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