THE Shenzhen Schumann Piano School was a hot scene Saturday evening as more than 100 people, mostly parents and children, packed it to listen to 12-year-old pianist Jia Zhichao's farewell concert.

Jia was admitted to the renowned German conservatory following a piano competition for children in Dusselforf, Germany in February, at which he received the special talent award and stood out among his international rivals as a "young Mozart" of China.

Accompanied by his father, Jia will leave for Germany on Wednesday. His student life there will last seven to eight years - from a college student directly to a postgraduate. Jia is the youngest student ever enrolled by the conservatory.

Dressed in a black tailcoat, Jia looked handsome and calm as he played Mozart Sonata K. V.533, Beethoven Sonata Op.13 and other pieces at the party-like concert. The running melodies streaming from his slender deft fingers overwhelmed the audience from the beginning to the end. Many of his fans, mostly children, followed him to have their pictures taken with him after the concert ended.

 
Editor: Wings