When Chinese pianist Lang Lang was just nine years old, his father gave up his job to take his son from their hometown of Shenyang, to audition for the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
“For three months, I did not have a teacher. So, and I thought my career was over as a pianist, and I should go home,” he told Trailblazers presenter Tania Bryer.
“It was a very difficult time. I mean leaving my mother, coming here, my father quit his job, and we rented the most cheap, the 15 dollar-a-month apartment, and study with a new teacher, with completely different environment. It was very difficult, and I did not really enjoy (it).”
After several months, he got into the Conservatory.
Lang has now sold millions of albums around the world and is an entrepreneur and philanthropist.
(via)