The piano prodigy from China walked away an international superstar and was hyped as "the future of classical music."(Photo: CCTV.com) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, July 30 -- A decade has passed since a teenaged Lang Lang took the stage at Ravinia as a last-minute replacement. The piano prodigy from China walked away an international superstar and was hyped as "the future of classical music." This week, Lang Lang returned to Chicago for two brilliant anniversary concerts.

    An immaculate account of Prokofiev's "Piano Concerto No. 3" marked the 10th commemoration of Lang Lang's Chicago debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

    For his encore, the pianist returned to his musical roots with a solo arrangement of the Chinese folk tune "The Moon Chased by the Clouds."

    Close to 20-thousand local music fans were on hand to witness the brilliance of this piano sensation.

    Lang Lang is also wearing the mantle of ambassador for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. The young virtuoso takes pride in being held up as a cultural icon.

    Lang Lang said, "I am lucky to be a musician who is able to perform Chinese music around the world. My expectation for the coming World Expo is that Chinese culture will be exposed to more people and inspire more artists."

    Lang Lang played two CSO concerts at Ravinia this week. He also joined jazz pianist Herbie Hancock in recreating their 2008 Grammy performance of "Rhapsody in Blue."

    (Source: CCTV.com)