CELEBRATING THE 88S

It’s World Piano Day, but you already knew that. To celebrate, Lang Lang has released Piano Book (UMG/Deutsche Grammophon), a collection of essential and popular piano pieces. His first new album in three years, it’s the #1 classical album at iTunes.

The Lang Lang International Music Foundation is using the day celebrating the 88s by donating $5m for public school music education programs across the U.S. over the next five years.

In recent weeks, Lang Lang broke a world record when he led 1,554 children sitting at 777 pianos in a stadium rendition; performed with Chinese virtual idol Luo Tianyi in a special hologram concert; and hit #4 on the Chinese pop single charts with his rendition Beethoven's Für Elise.

Since we abandoned piano lessons in the fourth grade, it’s refreshing to know Lang Lang is still willing to play the only song remember. (Watch the video).