Today 31st March 2013,
at Casa Labia I was honoured by the presence of Tian Jiang, international
concert pianist, who came to listen to my performance. He is here in this
country on a concert tour.
It was only after my performance
that Tania Mill, Events & Café Manager, introduced me to Tian.
I was totally unaware that he,
his wife, his manager and entourage booked to come for Easter Sunday dinner at
the Casa Labia.
After completion of dinner Tian
come to join me and we spoke about my and his musical career.
The conversation led to our
respective academic careers and the general feeling of support of the arts in
South Africa. The education system of the South African schools regarding music
was discussed. The mention of the music curriculum being phased out from
schools to prioritise Maths and Science was disconcerting. I did mention to him that I've presented a lecture to a group of educators some time ago, the
importance and relationship between these sciences. To most of them the explanations
of Pythagoras’ music ratios have fallen on deaf ears. Because of lack of
funding, I told Tian that only the elite and private schools would be able to accommodate
music as a Matric subject.
His entourage wanted him to
perform but he refused in respect of my own professional completed performance.
A half hour after my performance I approached him to play something anyway. Reluctantly
he went to the piano and gave a stunning performance of one of his own
compositions called ‘Shanghai Dream’. It reminded me of the theme song from the
movie ‘Shanghai Grand’ which I sometimes play to my own Chinese friends here in
Cape Town. I then asked him if I could purchase a copy of his composition as I
like to study it and add it to my own concert repertoire. Business cards were
exchanged and soon I'll have a copy of this spectacular music which by the way, has won many awards and were commissioned for a documentary film.
Read more
about Tian:
Watch Tian’s performance of Shanghai Dream on YouTube:
I presented Tian a complimentary CD
of mine to take back to New York where he resides.
An invitation was presented when I'm in New York to visit him.
I do recommend that you read his
biography. Most fascinating insight since his youth and where he is today:
Born in Shanghai during the early
days of China’s Cultural Revolution, Tian’s first memories resound not of Bach
and Mozart, but of the boots of the Red Guard as they stomped through his home
in search of cultural contraband – books and music – any vestige of western
arts. Tian had to learn his art in secret.
Conversing with him was
inspirational. He has a fantastic nature without airs and graces. Our respect for
each other was mutual.
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