Chinese pianist Lang Lang arrives on Wednesday at the Classic Brit Awards, where he received International Artist of the Year, at London's Royal Albert Hall. Xie Songxin / China Daily

Trailblazer on ivory

Chinese pianist Lang Lang grabbed the International Artist of the Year at the Classic Brit Awards 2013, held at London's Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday night.

It is the first time a Chinese musician has won the award. "This is a historical moment for me," the 31-year-old musician told China Daily in an exclusive interview, who added that he hopes more Chinese musicians will win in the future.

"The UK has always been an important country for my career, because the first time I performed in a Western European country it was in the UK, at the Royal Albert Hall."

Organizers said the award was in recognition of Lang's global feats as a recording artist and performer, as well as his efforts to increase the popularity of classical music and the piano around the globe.

"His continuing enthusiasm, efforts and performances have helped encourage people of all ages to start playing the piano, and this above all is what we hope to achieve with each Classic Brit Awards event," co-chairmen of the awards committee - Dickon Stainer, president of Decca Records, and Barry McCann, director of Avie Records - said in a statement.

Lang, British violinist Nicola Benedetti and the London Chamber Orchestra performed together for the first time at the awards show, playing the Armenian folk song Sabre Dance.

Lang said he is lucky to have made his musical achievements, but he also hopes to spend more time on charitable projects, having established the Lang Lang International Music Foundation in 2008.

"I hope I don't just improve myself. I will also want to improve the skills and ability of young Chinese musicians," Lang said.

The Classic Brit Awards, established in 2000 to honor and recognize all forms of classical music, plays a major role in supporting and nurturing talent in both the core and crossover classical worlds.

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