A fine master

American pianist Gary Graffman has ties to China that go back to a time even before he met his famous Chinese students. Chen Jie interviews the musician.

American classical pianist Gary Graffman, 86, is better known in China as Chinese pianist Lang Lang's teacher. Graffman has also taught Wang Yuja and Zhang Haochen, two other talented internationally reputed Chinese pianists. On Nov 29, Graffman and Lang Lang performed together Johannes Brahms' Sonata for Two Pianos in F minor, at a Steinway anniversary concert in Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts.

Graffman is used to being referred to as "Lang Lang's teacher" whenever he plays in China. Not that he minds it and neither do his various other students.