Debra Li
THREE students of the Schumann-Musikschule/Kindergarten in Shenzhen and Guangzhou performed two concerts at the weekend, before heading to Germany and Austria to further their studies.
Chen Aoran, Xie Jiayi and Huang Zhuotao performed pieces by Chopin and Beethoven at the Guangzhou Nanfang Theater and Shenzhen Concert Hall.
Huang will study at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Germany, while Chen and Xie have been admitted to the University Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.
Not yet 18, it was not easy for the trio to be admitted to prestigious conservatories in Europe, according to their teacher Huang Peiyu. Huang also taught Jia Zhichao and Ye Zi, both students at the Robert Schumann Hochschule.
Chen was talented, performing with passion and vitality, said Andreas Weber, a professor at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg where he is enrolled.
Xie, who is 17, is precise and mature in her interpretation of the works. She and Chen have the potential to be great pianists.
Weber, who presented a master class and joint concert with the three at Shenzhen Concert Hall on Sunday afternoon, gave some words of advice to piano students.
There are many piano students in China. They have adept fingers and good skills. With Lang Lang s success story inspiring them, they are also eager to learn, Weber said.
Their focus on skill and how fast they can play goes to extremes, but they sometimes miss the important link the background and story of the works they play. As a result, their rendition can be dull.
Weber said playing the piano was not the 110-meter hurdles. In some places, he said, the pianist should slow down.
Chinese students need to learn more about music theory and the cultural backgrounds behind Western classical music. Only with a deep understanding of the composers and their music can the pianist move an audience with their performance.
