HUNGARIAN piano virtuoso Adam Gyorgy performed the second of his seven Chinese concerts as part of his 2006 World Tour in Shenzhen on Saturday evening.

"A night of Hungarian Rhapsody"at the Children's Palace was fully attended by both music lovers, young piano-learning children and their parents.

Watching a large screen featuring his hands on the keyboard, many children tried to imitate his fingering and swift movements.

The Steinway artist's solo concert¡ªa title acknowledging his leading position among classical pianists¡ªfeatured improvisations of well-known melodies and nine other classic solos, five composed by Hungarian pianist Liszt, demonstrating Hungarian and European culture.

Gyorgy's hands and his music interpretive sensibility have also been likened by many critics to Liszt."It is enjoyable for the audience to see what is happening on the keyboard,"said Gyorgy.

Yin Song, vice chairman of the Shenzhen Pianists'Association, said Gyorgy had expressed a rich musical imagination and a variety of tones at the concert. She was particularly impressed by his playing of Hungarian Rhapsody II and VI."He had a strong control over techniques and a clear display of music structure,"Yin said.

Gyorgy was also satisfied with his own performance and said he felt grateful that the audience appreciated every piece he played."Here I can feel the connection between myself and the audience. There was a lot of energy and appreciation from the audience,"he said.

Since graduating from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary, Gyorgy is now doing his doctoral studies at the academy with state scholarship. Although only 24 years old, he has won a long list of piano competition titles.

After first discovering the keyboard when he was 4, Gyorgy was 16 when he won the National Youth Piano Competition in 1998. Two years later he was named Hungarian"Pianist of the Year 2000."Gyorgy won the second prize at the Trieste Piano Competition in 2002 and a special prize for his interpretation of Haydn at the San Remo International Piano Competition in 2003. A year later, he swept the First, Grand and Special prizes at The First International Chopin Piano Competition in Budapest.

Now on his second visit to China, Gyorgy said he would love to be a bridge between Chinese and Western culture.

"The piano was a major influence in Hungary in the 19th and 20th century. But now most of the concertgoers are retired and middle-aged people. Here the young generation is being raised on classical music. I see a great future in China,"said the pianist hailed as a"rising star"in classical music.

Gyorgy began his world tour six weeks ago and will play 30 concerts in 20 countries. His last performance was for the Thai Princess in Thailand, Oct.30.

Editor: Wing