(L-R) Young pianists Yin Cunmo, Huang Nansong, Qin Yunyi, and Sham Ching-Toa. They will together stage a two-concert series on September 20 and 21 in Beijing. [CRI/NCPA]

China's National Center for the Performing Arts wants people to know that Lang Lang and Li Yundi are not the only piano prodigies in the country.

The NCPA, located in central Beijing, is presenting a two-concert series on September 20 and 21 featuring four pianists aged between 12 and 16, it has announced.

Each of the performers -- Qin Yunyi, Yin Cunmo, Huang Nansong, and Sham Ching-Toa -- has won at least one international award, a press release issued by the center says.

Sixteen-year-old Qin Yunyi, for example, was the champion of this year's International Piano Competition "Premio Jaén," Spain's most important piano competition that was held in April.

Sham Ching-Toa, hailing from Hong Kong and the youngest among the four, garnered the first prize at June's Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition in Salt Lake City, the United States, enriching his award collection that also includes wins in Germany and Japan.

The concert series, titled "Cheers for China," is beyond its literal meaning, according to the press release. It cheers on the younger generation that is the country's future.

The show is also expected to kick off a project by the NCPA to scout for up-and-coming piano talents. Concerts featuring pianists aged below 18 are likely to be held periodically.

(CRI September 12, 2008)