Posts
Wearing a T-shirt and ripped jeans, Mei Diyang looks no
different than any other university student, as CGTN reports.
 |
| Photo: CGTN |
Waiting at the front gate
of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, he welcomed us with a
polite smile, ushered us into the campus, and helped drag our suitcase
while shouldering his own blue viola case.
Looking
at this modest young gentleman, no one would think that the 24-year-old
had just won the world's most prestigious classical music award by
playing his viola, which remade China's viola history.
At
the 67th ARD International Music Competition in Munich, Germany, in
September, Mei won first prize in the voila category, becoming the first
Chinese champion in the competition since its inception in 1952. He
also won most of the special prizes, including the Audience Prize and
the Special Prize for the Interpretation of the Commissioned
Composition.
"It was my honor and luck to win the
prizes. They are the recognition of my past efforts," said Mei, a senior
student both in the Central Conservatory of Music and the University of
Music and Performing Arts Munich.
Born in a
middle-class family in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, in
1994, Mei accidentally kicked off his music career at age 5.
His
parents, both architectural engineers, wanted their son to nurture a
wide range of interests, and sent him to learn violin under the guidance
of Liu Huiping. But after practicing violin for a year, Mei chose to
focus on music alone and gave up other interests...
Under the guidance of Professor Wang Shaowu, a master's
supervisor of viola at the Central Conservatory of Music, Mei won awards
and scholarships every year. And since 2014, he's also learned from
viola master Hariolf Schlichtig after enrolling in the University of
Music and Performing Arts Munich.
Mei felt grateful
to Professor Wang, who laid a solid foundation and ushered him into the
world's highest music learning institutions, as well as Professor
Schlichtig, whose words and deeds have inspired Mei to be a true artist
and explore his own special viola style.
"Professor
Schlichtig is more like a strict audience member in class, giving me
advice and help, while at my concerts, he always encourages and applauds
me to boost my confidence," he said.
Source: CGTN
