Notes of poetry

Born in Shanghai in 1934, Fu first studied piano with Mario Paci, the Italian founder of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, whose mentor was a disciple of the legendary composer Franz Liszt. Fu went on to study in Europe in the 1950s, and has been living in London since the 1960s.

Among Fu's friends at that time were fellow musicians Jacque du Pre and Daniel Barenboim, whose friendship and partnership began with an introduction by Fu.

Pianist Martha Argerich is one of Fu's closest friends. "Her musical technique is dazzling," Fu says. "What convinces you the most is not her musical depth but rather her unique radiance. The whole world admires her."

Fu also has a lot of respect for Barenboim, the music activist: "One who dares to criticize his own country is a great man. He is a true Humanist now."

Based in London, Fu has been giving recitals every year during the last decade all around China, and he also teaches at the Shanghai Conservatory one or two months each year.

He says that it is enjoyable listening to his students play music as well as teaching them, but he admits to feel that "independent thinking still needs to be encouraged in this country. However, the world of spirituality is declining worldwide. I'm doing what I can to help, but I'm not confident in the result of it".

Fu sees music as his "bible", adding that "music is always difficult to grasp, as it is high up in the sky, and we spend our whole life climbing up toward it". He regards his teaching as a "missionary's job".

Playing Bach's music is regarded by lots of pianists in the world as the ultimate achievement, yet Fu has never played any Bach in concerts.

"The mountain of Bach's is a little out of the world for me, I don't think I am able to make it there," he explains with a hint of sarcasm.

"Bach is a Protestant, his music often seems like preaching to me. I'm a bit sensitive to it."