Only an emperor's daughter is fit to marry Lang Lang, the pianist's father told the Western China Metropolis Daily Wednesday.

Lang Lang, one of the most prestigious young pianists in the world, acclaimed in major concert halls in the US, Europe and Asia, is seen as a role-model for his success by nearly every young piano player in China.

Lang first captured the attention of the musical world in 1999 when he was 17 years old and successfully replaced Andre Watts, who suddenly fell ill before a concert, in the Chicago Symphony.

Lang's father Lang Guoren went to Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, to prepare for his son's solo concert which will be held in the city on December 28, and met local press, who were very interested in the education methods used by the father of a prodigy pianist.

Lang Guoren, an er-hu player in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, appeared very proud of his son throughout the interview.

"Lang Lang never plays in small-scale concerts. He only plays in very important concerts," he said. "Piano masters like to give some tips on playing to him because he learns quickly and they all like him. Eschenbach even phoned asking Lang Lang to come and take lessons from him."

According to Lang, the 24-year-old pianist plays 150 performances annually, twice the amount of other pianists. Besides a full work load, Lang Lang has become a spokesman for a number of commercials advertising things such as watches, home appliances, banks, cars and even powdered milk.

When asked whether the heavy workload and so many commercials would prove to be too much for the young man, Lang said he was optimistic.

"He is young and has great potential. You should work hard before you are 30. Now he has conquered every great concert hall in the world."

He said Lang Lang worked as a spokesman not for money, but to expand his popularity.

When asked about what kind of girl the young and promising pianist would pick, Lang smiled and said he would encourage his son to meet girls.

"He is an artist, and attaches great importance to his spiritual life," he said. "A royal family background is ideal. We know Prince Charles very well, but he has no daughters. What a pity!"

(China Daily November 11, 2006)