Lang Lang given prestigious German award

27 July 2012, 10:21 | Updated: 27 July 2012, 10:32

The pianist will receive the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of his services to music

Lang Lang has been awarded the highest German civilian honour, the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. The award will be presented to Lang on August 24th.

According to Torsten Albig, leader of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein who will present Lang with the award, it is “marking the distinguished services of Lang Lang to German music culture.” It is the country’s only federal award, and available to both Germans and non-Germans.

The news was announced on Lang Lang's Twitter feed, saying: “Vielen Dank! Humbled to learn about receiving Germany's highest civilian honor, the Bundesverdienstkreuz.”

It comes only days after the pianist carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Essex as part of the build-up to the games, and weeks after he performed on a lake at the Latitude festival.