Lang Lang

Born in Shenyang, China, Lang Lang began his piano studies at age three, quickly rising through the ranks of prodigious talent. By the time he was a teenager, he was already performing with major orchestras worldwide, seemingly destined to become a household name — at least, in households with exceptionally good taste in classical music.

While his technical virtuosity is undeniable and his showmanship captivating, Lang Lang’s connection to Jewish heritage remains, shall we say, non-existent. There are no ancestral whispers of gefilte fish or Hanukkah candles in his lineage, nor has he ever expressed any affinity for klezmer over Chopin. His identity is firmly rooted in his Chinese heritage and the demanding world of classical music.

Nevertheless, the man can play. With a career spanning sold-out concerts, numerous recordings, and appearances at events like the Olympics and the Grammys, Lang Lang has brought classical music to a new generation, earning him widespread admiration. This certainly brings a measure of nachas to music lovers everywhere, even if it's not the traditional Jewish kind.