Internet sensation, the Piano Guys are in China. The Utah-based group took some precious time off their Asian tour in Singapore and Malaysia to fulfil their Chinese dream - shooting a music video on the Great Wall of China.

The Piano guys became an Internet sensation by way of their immensely successful series of strikingly original, self-made music videos.

With Jon Schmidt on the piano and Steven Nelson on the cello, the other two members of the team, Paul Anderson and Al van der Beek work behind the scenes and are equally responsible for creating the highly original blend of classical music with pop that has become a trademark for the group.

The Piano Guys are also famous for their imaginative mash-up arrangements including "Cello Wars" a spoof of the Star Wars soundtrack and film with Steven playing both the Jedi Master and Sith Lord who come together for a cello fight.

CCTV reporter Julian Waghann said, "You're one of the most creative and versatile ensemble's I've seen. And the same is true of your instruments! That cello should get an Academy Award for Best String Actor in a Leading Role. Why do do you insist on getting so much out of the cello?"

Steven Sharp Nelson, cellist of The Piano Guys, said, "Well that's a good question and everybody needs to know that I named my cello 2 years ago 'Bruce Lee'. We want to be creative without going out too far and missing the mark"

Waghann said, "Well, I think one of the reasons for your success is that you guys are truly inspirational. Your videos are often shot in exotic and historic locales. Yet, instead of using the environment to reinforce your melody or mood of the piece, your music is almost like a sacred offering to the land. It teases out the history, the emotion from the surrounding. What's the connection between these places and your music?"

Nelson said, "I think I found our press agent, by the way. That was fantastic!......A reverence for the people, the people that died, this great land."

Waghann said, "And you filmed all over the world. Is there perhaps a thread connecting all these separate places like music does connecting individual notes on a staff?"

Nelson said, "Music is the great connector of all people...It's a great tool we call all use and understand each other more."

One thing they do understand is that we all need a little suspense and some laughs at times. In their Mission

Impossible spoof, they use the instruments as the mission impossible gadgets. It's a way of breaking the stereotypes that instrumentalists are austere and to bring joy to people. At least, that's what the Piano Guys aspire to achieve through their latest music video featuring the Great Wall of China.

They're among a number of artists who have recently been drawn to the Great Wall of China for their inspiration. Tom Cruise found his calling while promoting his film 'Oblivion' in Beijing.

"I heard you're coming to the Great Wall of China. And of course, the 'other' Ethan Hunt, Tom Cruise was here on the Great Wall of China with me just a few months ago. Aside from reasons that might be classified, who do you think so many artists, such as Cruise, Stephen Aaron from Germany, and David Guetta come from all over the world to perform on the Great Wall of China?" Waghann asked.

Nelson said, "Well what isn't there alluring about this place? If life were truely a movie, this would be the best place to do it."

Waghann said, "And of course, you're here on the Great Wall of China for your latest music video! A little scoop for our viewers?"

Nelson said, "Oh, yeah. we should give them a scoop. So let's see some of that. Alright."

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)