Cultural education series to promote classic music among the youth, initiated by Chinese pianist Lang Lang, opened at Shenzhen Concert Hall in Futian District on Monday. A series of charity cultural education events and concerts will be held on the following 36 days on campuses of primary and middle schools and concert halls in the city to let more young students feel the charm of classic music. Li Junjie, a young pianist, held his first solo recital at Shenzhen Concert Hall on Monday. Li staged difficult pieces such as Hungarian Rhapsody wrote by Franz Liszt and Maurice Ravel’s work called Scarbo. The performance earned big applauds from audience. Li started learning piano at 5 and a half years old. In 2014, Li began learning piano at Lang Lang Music World in Nanshan District, Shenzhen. Professors from the music field including well-known pianist Zhu Yafeng, also the teacher of Lang Lang, Nie Bing, head of Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and Wei Danwen, professor of Central Conservatory of Music, were invited to a forum held during the opening ceremony to talk about the role of classic music in China and its future development. Zhu said that many parents mistakenly thought that classic music contradicts cultural courses at school. In fact, they are complementary as music can not only benefit intellectual development but also enrich school and daily life, according to Zhu. Lang Lang will initiate the fourth Lang Lang Shenzhen Futian International Piano Festival on December 21, ending of the series. Four young pianists, specifically Bi Ye, Rao Hao, Wu Xuanxiang and Yu Mengyun, will stage a performance after the launching ceremony of the festival. (Wang Jingli) | 