Shanghai Conservatory Expands Global Reach with Multilingual Piano Publication and European Tour
The Shanghai Conservatory of Music Press successfully promoted Chinese piano music across Europe through multilingual publications and cultural performances, enhancing international cultural exchange and recognition of Chinese musical heritage.
The Shanghai Conservatory of Music Press has achieved a significant milestone in international cultural promotion with the successful completion of its European tour and multilingual publication initiative for Chinese piano music. Supported by the Shanghai Municipal "Chinese Culture Going Global" Special Fund, the project included the International Promotion of Selected Chinese Piano Pieces and the 2025 Music Traveler – European Tour of Chinese Piano Works Summer Program, marking a substantial advancement in presenting Chinese musical culture globally.
Compiled by renowned piano educator Professor Dan Zhaoyi, Selected Chinese Piano Pieces is celebrated for its artistic and pedagogical excellence. Following its 2021 English edition published in New Zealand, the collection has now been officially released in four additional languages—English, German, French, and Hungarian—by Editio Musica Budapest, significantly expanding its accessibility across European markets. This multilingual publication facilitates broader educational and performance opportunities for Chinese piano works internationally.
The initiative included a comprehensive series of events such as multilingual book launches, concerts, and master classes, establishing a new model for the global promotion of Chinese piano music. On July 21, a book launch was held at the House of Music in Budapest, followed by a concert featuring 14 Chinese teachers and students performing traditional works like Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon, Jasmine Flower, and Pictures of Bashu. 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 cross-cultural appreciation and collaboration.
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, and students performed Chinese works on a piano historically used by Evgeny Kissin, enriching the cultural exchange experience.
The nine-day program left a lasting impact on both Chinese participants and European audiences, with experts and musicians praising the delegation's professionalism and enthusiasm. This success underscores Shanghai's dedication to cultural exchange and the global dissemination of Chinese music, fostering greater international recognition and integration of Chinese artistic contributions.