China’s piano craze has raged for 20 years and shows no sign of flagging. China has the world’s biggest piano production and is also home to most prodigy Pianists. French pianist Michel Rourdoncle says that it is possible to hear infants playing excellent piano in every province. This craze is apparent in cosmopolitan Beijing and Shanghai as well as far-flung Tibet and Xinjiang. Piano tuition in China is generally 100 yuan (US $ 12) per hour– not at all cheap when taking into account the average monthly in come of a few thousand yuan. It is, however, a small rice to pay fro the joy of winning one of the many piano competitions staged throughout the country.

The Xinghai Cu Children’s Piano Competition is considered a warm-up for young pianists about to tread the world stage. One young winner who has gone on to greatness is the famous Lang Lang, who has since performed all over China, as well as overseas in North America, Europe and Asia.

In October 2004, 434 child pianists selected from 36 competitions over the preceding six months participated in the 10th “Xhinghai Cup” finals. Contestants were from places as diverse as remote Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

Music professor Zhou Guangren, first Chinese female pianist to win international competition, believes that the piano craze is an exciting phenomenon. According to her, “the ability to play piano is an important life enhancement. It brings an appreciation of the finer aspects of human civilization, whether it be classical music or the ability to create one’s own.”