Pianist Lang Lang has cancelled all public performances until the summer of 2018 due to tendinitis in his left arm. Lang has already cancelled several high profile concerts in 2017, including an appearance with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in October.
Lang said that the tendinitis first occurred in March while rehearsing Ravel. As a result, he has only been able to practice with his left hand for 30 minutes a day. He has not performed since 4 October.
“I would like to come back next summer and play the Goldberg Variations by Bach first,” stated the 35-year-old in an interview with Die Zeit. He added: “I’m finally learning to be patient.”
He also confirmed that in the future he would have to play fewer concerts and rehearse less in order to manage the condition.
The interview comes after speculation that Lang would be unable to perform again as a concert pianist. An article in the South China Morning Post on 1 November stated that his career “could be in question” due to the injury.
Lang’s teaching and other public engagements will not be affected.