The Shanghai Conservatory of Music Press has completed the International Promotion of Selected Chinese Piano Pieces project and the 2025 Music Traveler – European Tour of Chinese Piano Works Summer Program, supported by the Shanghai Municipal Chinese Culture Going Global Special Fund. This initiative represents a significant advancement in showcasing Chinese musical culture internationally, emphasizing the growing global interest in diverse artistic traditions.
Compiled by renowned piano educator Professor Dan Zhaoyi, Selected Chinese Piano Pieces is acclaimed for its artistic and pedagogical merits. Following its 2021 English edition published in New Zealand, the collection has been officially released in English, German, French, and Hungarian by Editio Musica Budapest, broadening its accessibility across European markets. This multilingual approach facilitates cross-cultural engagement and educational integration, making Chinese piano works more available to students, educators, and performers worldwide.
The Press organized a series of events, including a multilingual book launch, concerts, and master classes, establishing a novel model for the global dissemination of Chinese piano music. On July 21, the book launch took place at the House of Music in Budapest, followed by a concert featuring performances by 14 Chinese teachers and students. They played works such as Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon, Jasmine Flower, and Pictures of Bashu, highlighting the richness of Chinese musical heritage. Hungarian musicians Gábor Gadó (cello) and Péter Jéger (piano) contributed with renditions of The Blooming of the Mountain Azaleas and My Motherland and Me, demonstrating a deep appreciation for Chinese culture and fostering mutual artistic respect.
Participants engaged in master classes with leading European musicians, including Imre Hargitai, Anikó Novák, Markus Prause, and Zhang Liming, and met Professor Walter Fleischmann, a legendary figure of the Viennese Piano School. In Munich, the delegation visited G. Henle Verlag, where President Dr. Norbert Gertsch discussed the German tradition of musical craftsmanship. Students performed Chinese works on a piano once played by Evgeny Kissin, symbolizing the fusion of cultural legacies. The nine-day program left a lasting impact on both Chinese participants and European audiences, with experts praising the delegation's professionalism and the cultural value of Chinese piano works. This success underscores Shanghai's dedication to cultural exchange and the global promotion of Chinese music, potentially influencing educational curricula, performance repertoires, and international cultural diplomacy.
