A new way to key into classical music

The pianist particularly stresses the demanding sound quality required to convey the plentiful details in classical music — which coincides with Apple's pursuit of expanding the application of its Spatial Audio technology support provided by Dolby Atmos — and the benefit of promoting music appreciation and education, as well as generating more exposure for emerging musicians.

Lang sees the launch of a dedicated streaming platform like Apple Music Classical as a win-win opportunity for both the company and listeners.

It's also worth mentioning that digital technology and streaming platforms have lowered the cost for ordinary people to enjoy quality classical music, he adds.

"Everything we do comes down to our deep love for music," says Oliver Schusser, global head of Apple Music. "Classical is so foundational to music of all genres. … I am excited to make it available to even more listeners all around the world today."

Apple Music subscribers can download the app as part of their existing subscriptions at no additional cost.

Apart from Lang, the China NCPA Orchestra — the resident orchestra of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing — and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra have become partner organizations with the streaming platform, through which exclusive content will be made available.

However, live shows are truly irreplaceable to the classical genre.

"Don't stop coming to concerts after you get this app. Or else we (musicians) will be crying in the bathroom," Lang says, jokingly.

The pianist points to his performance of Bach's Goldberg Variations as a sign of change — that is, as a moment when he started to put more emphasis on the depth of his music.

"It's not that I don't continue to polish my skills anymore," he says, adding that at a certain point, there was no longer a need to prove his skill to the audience.

"It's definitely not my goal to play Rachmaninoff's third piano concerto (Piano Concerto No 3 in D Minor, Op 30) faster at the age of 50," he says.

Now, he's turning his attention to Beethoven's later sonatas, which arouse his desire to explore the philosophy of the music, French pieces that he wants to present with inner maturity, and some new compositions he has never tried before.

On March 1, he plans to release his new album, Lang Lang — Saint-Saens, which focuses on the work of French composers, including Charles Camille Saint-Saens, Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Faure and female French composers who are often neglected. He plays alongside his wife, Gina Alice Redlinger, on some of the pieces.

"It's my first time recording French music, which is multilayered in terms of sound and more sentimental. I hope this album with its feeling of French perfume will bring the audience fresh experiences," he says.

"As I grow older, experience more, and see a lot of ups and downs, it becomes easier for me to calm down, eliminate external interference and simply focus on things that I think I should do. No matter what's happening or what mood I'm in, as long as I sit down at the piano, I'm concentrating."

Contact the writer at fangaiqing@chinadaily.com.cn