Lang Lang has followed in the footsteps of the Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, talk show host Jerry Springer and puppet Kermit the Frog to appear as a guest speaker at the Oxford Union debating society.

The Chinese pianist spoke on Friday of his journey to become one of the world’s most recognisable musicians, his career highs, his love of music and the piano, and his charity, the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. He also performed Liszt’s transcription of Schumann’s Widmung for the audience.

The Oxford Union has provided a forum for high-profile debates, discussions and guest speakers throughout its 189-year history, and has played host to heads of states, artists and celebrities. This was the first time Lang Lang has appeared at a university in Europe.