28-05-21

I am blessed to be doing what I do——interviewing great people. I am always trying to find a better way to do things. Every interview has an edge. Famous people want the interview to be about their jobs. Most defend their private life and may freak out when the talk comes up with a personal topic. Fear is enormously about social judgements. With luck, I managed to navigate my way through many personalities to get the story. They always said to me, “Maurice, you can be trusted and write whatever that you feel appropriate!” I could see their relaxed smile with genuine confidence in my fair sense of balance.

The world’s gifted 24-year-old pianist Niu Niu(牛牛)(張勝量) was born into a musical family in Xiamen, China in 1997. The most famous musical prodigy in China. He was just in Hong Kong and presented a splendid duo performance with cellist Laurent Perrin called ‘Hope & Harmony’ presented by The French May Arts Festival which my prominent jewelry designer friend Michelle Ong assisted. Niu Niu smiled, “You can have candid and searching conversation about my personal life. No problem!” It is refreshing to talk to a tall, handsome, talented and warm gentleman who is ready to share the reality of his life. Niu Niu is the idol of countless women. Let me pierce the veil on their behalf.

I asked, “Our idol, are you dating someone?” Humour danced in his eyes, “Being single is my happy and sad time being. Happy as I get more time to think alone. Sad as I face myself alone.” Niu Niu had recital tours in more than 30 cities of the world including China, England, USA, Switzerland, Japan, Germany & France. He is available for the hungry girls.

I laughed and continued my inquiry, “Your fingers are long, delicate and like ivory carvings. You play the piano magnificently. How do you maintain your treasure fingers?” There is a naughty frown on his brow, Niu Niu said, “To protect my hands and wrists, I cannot do weightlifting in the fitness centre. I cannot play ball games. After my regular 6-hour practice every day, I put my hands in the hot water for relaxation and then in the cold water to reduce inflammation. Before going to bed, I will put some light lotion on my fingers.”

I challenged, “Do you feel tired of practising the piano?” Niu Niu stared at me, “I do not. I never did. Music is my companion, life, destiny and mission. I want music to help myself and other people emotionally. I gave up music when I was 9 years old and rebellious. After a few days, I brushed off this stupid idea. Every day, I spend about 6 hours on practising, 2 hours in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. Some think practising is dull and repetitious—not for me. I play different pieces of music and explore the new ways to interpret them.”

I tested Niu Niu, “As a musical prodigy, you showed your talent at 3. At the age of 6, you made your recital debut. You then went to the best music schools in China and USA including New York’s Juilliard School. Since you were a little boy, you have been performing internationally in the best concert halls. You released classical music albums with great companies like EMI, Universal Music and Decca Classics. You are now successful and popular. Is the world yours?” He shook his head, “The pressure at work continues without any letup. I am still young and want to stir more powerful emotions inside me, to use them and to dominate them. I long for a bigger sensitive heart which will inspire my music performance.”

I asked, “After work, do you have a great time?” He became happy, “Yes, I enjoy watching movies and TV drama programs, especially the enormously sentimental ones. I am fond of them as vulnerable and honest—like myself! The spirit of love and dream is always pressing me to do better.”

I am intrigued by what Niu Niu eats. I asked, “Do you eat before the performance?” He touched his face, “Hmmm…I eat banana or chocolate. I don’t want my stomach to feel ‘complicated’. After the show, I give myself a bravo by enjoying Hong Kong dim sum or Japanese sushi. They are simple on the digestive system because they are light. These are small snacks of different kinds and I can stop eating anytime. By the way, I love my mom’s cooking. I always miss the aromas of her great food like braised pork and bone soup.”

I asked before l left, “What do you want now?” His lips held a familiar glint of humour, “I want to remember my hotel room number as I fly too much. I want to remember the names of the lovely friends that I met all over the world. I wish I could remember all musical scores and devote more time to the audience’s interaction.”

‘Youth is incredible because you really do feel invincible’. Youth is the gift of nature but the amazing wisdom and charm of Niu Niu at his age of 24 must be a result of his hard work, mentally and spiritually. ‘Youth comes but once in a lifetime’. Don’t be jealous: the youth, if not youthfulness, of Niu Niu will surely extend to cover the whole of his lifetime. I gazed up at this big man, once again awed by his power, elegance and blue-bloodedness.

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