Zhang Haochen strikes a chord at the Poly Theatre in Beijing. Photo: courtesy of Beijing International Music Festival   

Monday night at the Poly Theatre, phenom Chinese pianist Zhang Haochen performed for the first time since tying for gold at the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held in Texas in May and June of this year. 

The Van Cliburn competition is widely regarded as one of the most demanding and challenging piano competitions in the world, and regularly features the most promising young talents from a host of different countries. 

The competition is held every four years, and was created in 1962 to honor the still-living American pianist Van Cliburn. 

Zhang shared the competition's top award, the "Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Gold Medal,"with Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, who is blind. 

Zhang's formidable skills became immediately apparent as he began the recital in front of his fellow compatriots, his masterful use of his quick hands capable of producing lingeringly beautiful melodies. The 19-year-old Zhang is known for an expressive herky-jerky, "jumping"style of piano playing. 

Born in Shanghai, Zhang started playing piano at the age of four and performed for the first time only a year later. Zhang, in an interview with gatheringnote.org, said that his life was changed after reading an article in Reader's Digest, given to him by his mother. 

"My mom wanted me to take piano lessons because she had read that piano was a short cut to improve a child's IQ. Your two hands get trained equally and there are multi-voices, so both sides of your brain develop equally. Later on it was evident that I learned piano music much faster than other kids my age,"said Zhang. 

He moved to the US with his mother at the age of 15 to further his studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Two years later, he took first place at the 2007 China International Piano Competition. 

"The art of piano playing is not, as many believe, only a result of one's innate 'musical gift,' but needs years of practicing. I have spent 15 years in piano playing. The Van Cliburn contest requires playing works by Beethoven, Ravel, Brahms, Liszt and contemporary composer Mason Bates. The only thing you can do is keep practicing,"said Zhang in an interview with the Global Times. 

While some argue that classical music is too serious and abstract to meet the tastes of modern music fans, Zhang disagrees. He argues for its long shelf life and unique charms that are able to enlighten people, while pop music simply amuses and relaxes. 

"Classical music reflects its composers' inner lives and thoughts, it's something with a greater mental aspect. You will be satisfied hearing classical music, but your mind will also be a little tired. So at that time, pop songs and blues will help you relax,"said Zhang. 

"That is the reason why I also listen to songs from Chinese pop singers like Jay Chou and Lee-Hom Wang. But I won't spend two hours at their concerts. What I am trying to seek from music is quite different from what they are seeking,"Zhang added. 

Top winners Zhang and Tsujii each received $20,000, a three-year international concert series agreement and a recording contract for winning gold.