Lang Lang mourns his auto patron
mainThe former General Motors VP Shirley Young has died in New York at 85.
An accomplished pianist, born in Shanghai, she drove GM into a vast investment in China and took a maternal interest in the pianist Lang Lang, the composer Tan Dun and the choreographer Shen Wei, who designed the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Lang Lang’s organisation issued this statement: The Lang Lang Music Foundation mourns the passing of our director Shirley Young, a remarkable woman, patron of the arts, and a dear friend. We send sincere condolences to her family. She was unique and can never be forgotten. Lang Lang and Gina Alice Lukas Barwinski-Brown And the Board of Directors of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation.
We need more patrons of the arts. RIP.
Why so much Lang Lang news? I thought Norman hates Lang Lang.
One never hears about this kind of patronage, for a viola player.
The most important phrase in this short tribute might be “An accomplished pianist….”
Shirley Young knew how to use her financial resources intelligently and effectively because she actually understood the art she was supporting.
Best way to honor her is to get music back into basic education, so that in another generation we might again have some corporate executives who know it as something more than one more option on the menu of possible evenings out.