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Young virtuoso joined by London Symphony Orchestra

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On Sunday, the world renowned London Symphony Orchestra was joined by famous Chinese pianist Wang Yujia, to perform some of the most technically challenging pieces in the classical repertoire at Beijing's National Center for the Performing Arts.

Pianist Wang Yujia and conductor Daniel Harding of the London Symphony Orchestra join hands again, performing Prokofiev's piano concerto number 2 and Mahler's symphony number 1. It's Harding's seventh trip to China. And every time he performs here, he's surprised at how sophisticated the Chinese audience has become.

Daniel Harding, Conductor

Daniel Harding, Conductor  

"People told us you should be careful going to China playing such a serious repertoire maybe people aren't ready but I said no we'll try it and give them the best music we have and the audience were fantastic. I think there can be an idea in the west that when we come to China, we have to play popular music or friendly music. I don't think that's necessarily true. My experience in China has been that the audience are very curious very open and very concentrated." said Daniel Harding, Conductor.

Harding has collaborated with many artists in his career, but working with Yujia has been special.

"She has this very infectious personality, she is one of the most easy going, straightforward young people. So it's a great pleasure to work with her; a very uncomplicated atmosphere. And what she can do with the piano is just terrifying." said Daniel Harding, Conductor.

A Beijing native, Wang started playing piano at the age of six, and has studied under some of the most famous pianists in the world. When we sit down, she shares with me her worries about Sunday's concert; playing Prokofiev's piano concerto number 2 is always a challenge.

"I really love playing this piece because it's physically and mentally exhausting in a very short 22 minutes and it's really difficult for the pianists and for the orchestra. At a concert, I always find one aspect I want to achieve and just do it. But playing a new piece in a concert always makes me nerve wracking." said Wang Yujia, Pianist.

"When did you realize you wanted to become a pianist?" asked by Fei Ye, Beijing.

"Well kind of just started that way. I had to practice everyday because I wanted. I'm one of those people who made my hobby into a profession. I have no other professions, so if I don't have piano, I would be jobless." said Wang Yujia, Pianist.

"Have you thought what would happen if you didn't make it?"

"The harder thing is to keep it at that level than how to make it. Once I make it I know I would make it. I do have a lot of self doubt as well in terms of music but if I don't succeed I will always try." said Wang Yujia, Pianist.

Meanwhile, audience members have anxiously been waiting to watch the performance.

"Yujia is fantastic. I've seen her perform before. I really want my daughter to be like her in the future." said Ma Lina, an audience.

"I think having a world renowned orchestra coming to Beijing is a luxury. We don't have a lot of top orchestras coming here, so I try to treasure every opportunity I get to see a performance like this." said Dai Yuqiang, Opera Singer.

The joining of two young virtuosos have mesmerized the audience tonight. Wang's talents were put to test tonight playing one of the most technically formidable piano concertos in the world. A piece even the composer himself, Prokofiev had trouble playing in his later years.

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