The 22-year-old Lang Lang, who lives in Philadelphia, is being honored for the level of his artistry and the range of his repertoire, the governor's office said in a statement.
Born in Shenyang, China, Lang Lang came to the United States in 1997 to study at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute, and burst into the spotlight in 1999 when he stepped in for Andr_ Watts at the Ravenna Festival, playing the Tchaikovsky Concerto with the Chicago Symphony. Since then he has performed with major orchestras around the world.
Other recipients of the award are Marlin and Regina Gouger Miller, who will receive the Patron Award; Carole Haas Gravagno, who will receive the Arts Leadership and Service in the Arts to Youth Award; and Donna and Al Brown and the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center of Philadelphia, who will receive the Creative Community Award.
The Governor's Awards for the Arts, which have been granted for the last 24 years, will be presented on November 9 at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center in Reading.