For pianists, East meets West at the keyboards

Philippe Entremont and Tian Jiaxin meet in Beijing for a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sino French diplomatic relations. Zou Hong / China Daily

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Halfway through French Spirit, the opening program of the 14th Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, lights dimmed and two pianos were moved to center stage at the National Center for the Performing Arts.

Philippe Entremont, the renowned French pianist and conductor, was at one piano while Tian Jiaxin, a 27-year-old pianist from Beijing, walked to the other.

Accompanied by the China National Opera House Symphony Orchestra, the two played Mozart's Piano Concerto No 10 in E－flat major.

While Entremont was switching his roles between pianist and conductor, the two sounded like one person playing onstage, winning long applause from the audience.

Though they have performed in the United States together, it was their first joint performance in China, which made Tian proud.

"For a young pianist, it's really a honor to be his student and I am so lucky to even play with him," she says. "He inspires me and has broadened my vision about expressing myself through music. He is my mentor."

He is also a good friend. Two days before the concert, they chat happily in Entremont's Beijing hotel, full of the same fun and joy they bring to their pianos onstage.

"You will have your 80-year-old birthday in June and I will give you a present, but I won't tell you what it is now," says Tian.

"I hope it's not a bomb," says the maestro.

The two laugh loudly.

Tian credits Entremont with helping her to rise to any occasion.

"He is just like a child, and that's why he plays piano so purely, like clean water. Every single moment we spend together, I could learn from him," she says.

"I like playing with young pianists because they are always full of passion for music," says Entremont. "There are thousands of young pianists around the world but if there is a talent, then she is the one. She has good technique, which is very rare, and a good personality."

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