Back for an encore

German pianist Joja Wendt had received strict musical training since his mother, a vocal teacher, first taught him classical piano notes when he was 4. However, to audiences around the world, he is best-known for his ability to improvise the scores of the classical piano repertoires, with a great sense of humor.

Talking with the 50-year-old pianist before his upcoming China tour, which kicks off in Shenzhen on Sept 28, it becomes immediately clear that Wendt, though he chose his instrument as a child, has yet to settle on a musical genre.

"My program selection is not based on any style but uniqueness. Each piece has a story or a clue," he says.