Piano music books of China, New Zealand launched in Wellington

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A collection of works introducing Chinese piano music to New Zealanders is launched in Wellington, New Zealand, on March 17, 2023. (Xinhua)

The collection of piano pieces with varied musical complexity is for players at different levels of skills and can fit performance settings ranging from concert to competition.

WELLINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Books introducing New Zealand's and China's piano music to each other were launched in the New Zealand capital on Friday evening, representing the latest fruit in musical exchanges  between the two countries.

The collections of piano pieces are the two-volume English edition of "Chinese Piano Music for Children" and the two-volume bilingual edition of "New Zealand Piano Works".

Liu Jian, program director of Classical Performance of New Zealand School of Music, and editor-in-chief of "New Zealand Piano Works", told the launch ceremony that the book with 38 illustrative works by 24 New Zealand composers over the past century marks the first publication of New Zealand music in China.

"Each piece tells a unique New Zealand story and gives a glimpse of New Zealand's life, culture or history," he said.

The repertoire of piano works with varied musical complexity is for players at different levels of skills and can fit performance settings ranging from concert to competition.

© 由 XINHUA 提供

A boy plays piano at a launching ceremony of a collection of works introducing Chinese piano music to New Zealanders in Wellington, New Zealand, on March 17, 2023. (Xinhua)

Furthermore, the collection provides a window for Chinese piano students and educators and professional pianists to better understand New Zealand's vibrant musical culture, Liu said.

The launch event's organizer Freya Wang, who is a founding member of the New Zealand Music Trust, said that "Chinese Piano Music for Children" has been used by piano teachers and students across China for more than a decade and printed over 10 times since it was published. This is the first time it is translated and published outside China.

This collection could serve as a valuable source of inspiration to the music community in New Zealand while presenting the beauty of Chinese piano compositions, according to her.

A concert dedicated to piano works from the two countries graced the book launch event and won long applauses from the audience. ■