Future stars handed keys to success

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.

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.

"I am impressed. You made a slight mistake but you dealt with it calmly," says Lang. "I am also impressed because you have a gift for capturing emotion. Now, let's explore the depths of this piece together.

"Let's talk about Mozart first. He was a child prodigy. He was also liberal to some degree. I guess that he was a party boy and in his art, he wanted to make people happy," says Lang. "So when we play Mozart's music, we should be imaginative, not limited. His music is a whole world, not just a small room. We should make a bold interpretation and be 'naughty' when we play his music."

Together, they embarked on a journey through the piece again, dissecting each passage with meticulous attention to detail. Lang's playful banter and encouragement transformed Hongyu's nervousness into confident strides across the keyboard, eliciting laughter from both himself and the audience.

Throughout the session, Lang's wit and humor interjected moments of lightness and relaxation, particularly with the three students, who were initially nervous.

"At last, I want to introduce a special friend, Liu Hao, who has been learning with me for a very long time," says Lang, welcoming the blind, 23-year-old Liu, who is pursuing his studies in the United States at the Peabody Conservatory, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland.

Liu plays Debussy's Clair de Lune. As he finished the last note, Lang couldn't help clapping, cheering his performance.

"When we first met, Liu Hao was 6 years old. Now, he is a young man and soon he will be a touring pianist. I am so proud of you," says Lang.

Born in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Liu was blind from birth and displayed his musical talent at the age of 3. His mother Kang Guiqin has been devoting herself to helping her son to learn the piano after sensing his talent.

"We not only studied but also performed onstage together. He works very hard and makes progress fast. It doesn't matter if you are young or old, sighted or blind. What matters is the passion within you, waiting to be unleashed," says Lang.

In 2021, Lang opened his studio at the NCPA Taihu Stage Art Centre, where his photos, albums and trophies are displayed, including an award certificate from 1989, which shows the pianist at 7 years old, winning a piano competition in his hometown in Liaoning province.

Since then, he has been giving master classes to children when he returns to Beijing, despite his hectic schedule.

"I want to share with the children that master classes are not just about techniques but bring a transformative journey of self-discovery, a glimpse into the boundless possibilities that music offers," he says.

On Wednesday, Lang made his debut at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre near the Grand Canal in Tongzhou, one of the most important waterways in ancient China.

During his recital, the pianist played works by renowned composers, including Robert Schumann's Kreisleriana, Op 16, Gabriel Faure's Pavane, Op 50, and 12 of Chopin's mazurkas.