The Chinese cartoon character the Monkey King, who could transform himself into scores of images, was great inspiration to Lang Lang, the 26-year-old Chinese pianist sensation, when he was a boy. In his autobiography, "Journey of a Thousand Miles," Lang Lang (pronounced Long Long) talks about growing up in poverty and being relentlessly pushed by his father to succeed in the Chinese conservatory scene. During this summer's Olympic games he performed at the opening ceremonies and was a torchbearer. His latest album, "Chopin: The Piano Concertos," with Zubin Mehta and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, is a best-seller.

Lang Lang will give a recital of works by Bartok, Chopin, Debussy and Schubert at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Heinz Hall. Tickets ($19-$75) are available at the Heinz Hall box office, or by phone at 412-392-4900.

Q: How did you succeed where others have failed?

A: Certainly I worked very hard. That helps, but also you need to take every opportunity very seriously. You need to be [ready] when opportunity comes.

Q: The Monkey King, do you still relate to him?

A: Totally. I mean when I was playing during the Olympic games this August, I saw the Monkey King again on TV and it reminded me, especially how he transforms to different subjects. He is a great inspiration for me.

Q: You've played several times for the queen of England, at the Kremlin and the White House, so many intimidating venues.

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A: No matter who you play for, everybody is a human being, and the Olympic opening was attended by, like, 89 presidents around the world. But they are human beings. When Beethoven wrote music, he wrote for everybody, not just heads of state.

Q: So how is classical music holding up against hip-hop and rock?

A: It is difficult because hip-hop and rock are very exciting, especially to young people. It's very energetic, but classical music can give you very, very deep emotions. At the same time, I believe classical music can be very romantic, very energetic and very exciting as well.

Q: When you are playing, how is your imagination working with the music?

A: Sometimes you don't have an image, but you feel colors in your mind. It is kind of like a multimedia screen. Sometimes you need to think about the scores, but most times you think about some stories. You try to see different characters and personalities.

Q: In your role as an environmental ambassador for China, do you see improvements and a new awareness?

A: I know the people are working very hard, especially to recycle energy and different resources. I mean, we still need a lot of things to do, especially [with the] air and the quality of water. During the Olympic games I saw a big improvement in Beijing, for example, especially in the air. I hope this level is maintained and gets even better.

Q: Does talent like yours bring certain responsibility beyond the music?

A: As musicians, we are not politicians, we are cultural ambassadors. You share the magic of music with different cultures around the world. Through music and traveling, I think, our job is to make more friends. It was all about sharing our biggest passion, which is music. So you see, even if you have historic problems, through music it can all become very understandable. I think it can be much better than any diplomatic meetings.

Q: How did you deal with your father basically pushing his dreams on you?

A: You are absolutely right. He lived in a time when he couldn't achieve his dream so he did put a lot of pressure on me. In the end, I think we have become the same team. I see many similarities from my father in my life. My father understands me and I understand him. We became a good team.

Q: When you performed at the Pittsburgh Symphony Gala concert in September, you played Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2. Why is that one of your mainstays?

A: This piece was my orchestra debut; I was 13 in Japan. I remember in this competition many people asked me to play something else because they told me, "It is too romantic for a 13-year-old." Chopin wrote it in his late teens, you know, while he was falling in love with a girl. It is kind of a love you can't control.

Q: So, do you think your father was a romantic?

A: I am pretty sure he is a romantic person, but that generation of Chinese parents never showed their romantic feelings in front of their children. For sure [laughing], so I don't really know, but from what they told me about when they were young, it was kind of romantic. He kept begging my mom to marry him for a long time [laughs]. He took her out to a lot of movies so it was pretty romantic for that particular time.

Q: How about you, Lang Lang?

A: I would say that I am a romantic person, but I don't have so much time [laughs].