China’s conservatories are the highest national level piano education: historiography of the issue
Authors: Peng Rui 
Published: September 2023

Background. The spread of piano music in China at the beginning of the century, the formation of the foundations of piano teaching methods, the creative international exchange of experience with representatives of performing schools of different countries – these are the stages at which Chinese pianism was formed. The article examines the process of formation of Chinese professional piano pedagogy on the example of the activities of the most significant higher educational institutions and the network of music schools in China. The performing, pedagogical, methodical and organizational activities of representatives of the Chinese piano school are analyzed. The peculiarities of various piano schools in the personalities of leading Chinese pianists are specified in terms of their education, concert-tour activities and participation in international competitions, performance manner and repertoire selection, pedagogical activities, and their contribution to the modern world piano school is determined. Objectives. The purpose of the article is a scientific generalization of the historical experience of the formation and dynamics of the development of the highest degree of the Chinese piano school – conservatory, which led to an unprecedented rise of piano art in the country. Methods. The main methods used in the article were: analytical, theoretical, historical, historical-typological comparative analysis. Results. The historical dynamics of Chinese piano art is related to the professionalization of performance and composer creativity. This process is provided by the largest higher music educational institutions in China – Sichuan, Harbin, Shenyang, and Xinhai Conservatories. Many Chinese pianists, who returned to China after studying abroad and gained performance experience, joined the teaching staff of higher music educational institutions in China. Some of the musicians, returning from abroad, started new musical educational institutions. Such enthusiasts opened the Shanghai, Tianjin, and Beijing conservatories, as well as music departments at several universities. The most significant contribution to the development of piano art in China belongs to the Beijing Piano School, represented by the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music (CCMP). Many pianists, having left China, continued their activities on concert stages and in educational institutions of other countries – the USA, Canada, England, France, Italy. Each of them, with their concert performance and pedagogical successes, confirmed the high professionalism and high-quality level of musical education obtained in international educational institutions, the talent, experience and pedagogical talent of their mentors. Conclusions. Thus, the rapid rate of growth of the level of piano performance in China was ensured by activities aimed at the country’s exit from a thousandyear isolation, and a strict consistent orientation towards the achievement of world piano culture. A decisive factor in the achievements of Chinese piano performance in the 21st century is the focus on high results in mastering mastery.