Pianists Lang Lang and Yunchan Lim are among the leading winners at the 2026 Opus Klassik Awards, with both artists receiving major honours in recognition of their recent recording achievements.
Lang Lang was named Bestseller of the Year for his Piano Book 2, marking his second consecutive win in the category. Determined by official sales figures, the award recognises the year's best-selling classical recording and reflects the continued global popularity of the Chinese pianist. Piano Book 2 continues Lang Lang's exploration of beloved piano miniatures, presenting a collection of accessible and timeless works that have resonated with audiences around the world.
Yunchan Lim, meanwhile, received the Instrumentalist of the Year award for his recording of J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations. Released earlier this year on Decca Classics, the album has been widely praised for its extraordinary musical maturity, insight and technical brilliance. At just 22 years old, Lim continues his remarkable rise following his historic victory at the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, becoming one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation.
Presented annually by the German Association for the Promotion of Classical Music, the Opus Klassik Awards celebrate excellence across a broad range of classical music categories. This year's winners were selected from hundreds of submissions spanning recordings, performances and artistic projects released over the past year.
The recognition of Lang Lang and Yunchan Lim highlights the continued prominence of pianists on today's international classical music scene. While Lang Lang's award acknowledges his lasting global appeal and ability to bring classical music to broad audiences, Lim's honour reflects the extraordinary impact of a young artist already regarded as one of the defining pianists of his generation.
The 2026 Opus Klassik Awards ceremony will celebrate the year's outstanding achievements in classical music, bringing together many of the world's leading performers, conductors and recording artists.