Future stars handed keys to success

Master pianist shares his knowledge as he encourages talent of young learners, Chen Nan reports.

Amid the scorching summer temperatures in Beijing, parents take their children to the NCPA Taihu Stage Art Centre, a complex in Tongzhou district, which is part of the National Centre for the Performing Arts.

During Wednesday afternoon, the air hummed with anticipation as attendees settled into their seats in the concert hall, their murmurs subdued in reverence for the imminent arrival of Lang Lang, a pianist renowned for his virtuosity and artistry in the world of classical music.

He is also the idol of many piano learners in China, especially children.

At this afternoon's unique event, the stage is not set for a mere performance but for a profound exchange of musical knowledge and inspiration — a master class led by the pianist himself. The participants, chosen from a pool of aspiring young musicians, include three children of varying ages and an extraordinary young blind man who navigates the world of music through touch and sound.

"I am very excited to be back here. The first student is going to perform the first movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No 8, Op 13. I played the music piece many times when I was a child but I have never played it onstage," says Lang.Lang coaches Xu Ziyan during his master class at the NCPA Taihu Stage Art Centre on Wednesday. JIANG DONG/CHINA DAILY

The first student was Xu Ziyan, a teenage girl with hair cascading down her shoulders. Her fingers trembled slightly as she sat at the bench, her feet dangling above the pedals. Lang listened to her performance, nodding to the rhythm.

"The piano is not just an instrument — it's a storyteller," Lang says to the girl and the audience. "Each note you play is a word in a tale you are weaving. Feel the emotion behind the music and let your heart guide your fingers.

"For the higher pitches, you play the piano like a soprano singing. For the lower pitches, you should play the keys with a bigger sound, like an earthquake," he tells Ziyan.

Nine-year-old Shao Youran walked to the piano next. She played Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, which is a short piece — about 3.5 minutes long. Lang watched with keen interest, occasionally nodding in approval as Shao tackled it with youthful exuberance.

"You have the spirit of a performer. Now, let's shape these phrases together," says Lang, pointing to the score. "Imagine you are sitting on a vast land, watching stars sparkling at night.

"The sounds you make with the keys should bring a feeling of dancing, clear and lively," he adds.

With animated gestures, Lang demonstrated how subtle changes in dynamics and tempo could transform the technical exercise into a heartfelt expression.

The third on stage was Zhou Hongyu, also 9 years old, who looked a bit serious. He sat with a quiet intensity, his fingers poised over the keys as he prepared to delve into the first movement of Mozart's Piano Sonata No 16 in C Major, K 545. Lang, leaning in closer, closed his eyes briefly to immerse himself in the beautiful melody.