A man of immeasurable talent

Violinist Chen Xi, one of Lin Yaoji's former students, performs at the concert.

Musicians, including the Amber Quartet (left), Xie Nan and her student Wang Yaozhang (right), perform during a concert at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing on Oct 30. The concert pays tribute to late violinist and music educator Lin Yaoji.

A total of 48 violinists perform at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing on Oct 30, in memory of music educator Lin Yaoji, known for his great contribution to the country's classical music scene.

On Oct 30, the concert hall at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing resonated with the rich sound of stringed instruments as audiences gathered to honor Lin Yaoji (1937-2009), one of China's most revered music educators. This two-day event was more than just a concert — it was a celebration of a legacy that shaped generations of violinists and revolutionized violin education in China.

Lin, a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music for nearly four decades, was renowned for blending Eastern and Western philosophies with the principles of kinesiology. His influence is immeasurable, with many of his students winning prestigious international awards and elevating the global recognition of Chinese violin performers.

The concert opened with a deeply symbolic performance by the Amber Quartet, who performed Enchanted, a piece adapted from Lin's granddaughter, Grammy Award-winner Laufey. This performance marked a poignant passing of the torch, as the graceful melodies bridged Lin's teachings with Laufey's artistic journey.

The evening culminated in a powerful ensemble performance of Footprints, composed and arranged by Lin's former students and current faculty members. This six-piece arrangement, performed by 48 musicians, honored Lin's tireless dedication to both his art and his students.

"Professor Lin taught us not just how to play the violin but how to feel the music with every fiber of our being," says acclaimed violinist Xie Nan, one of the students who studied with Lin the longest.

Xie, who learned from Lin for over 15 years, now serves as a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music and is the associate chair of the orchestra department at the university. "He always said, 'A violinist must speak through their instrument, not just play'. Those words have guided me throughout my career."

Xie's musical journey began at age 4 and led her to Lin at age 11.

"Lin's impact on my life goes beyond technique. Without his encouragement, I wouldn't have come to Beijing to study at the Central Conservatory of Music," she says. "He opened my eyes to the spiritual connection between music and the soul. His lessons weren't just about playing; they were about becoming one with the music and understanding its essence."

During the concert, Xie performed with one of her students, Wang Yaozhang, a sophomore at the conservatory, playing Five Pieces for Two Violins and Piano by Dmitri Shostakovich.

Wang expresses deep admiration for Lin's teachings. "Though I never met Professor Lin, my teacher shares so many stories about him," says Wang. "I want to play the violin in a way that makes every note meaningful, just as he taught."

Renowned violinist Chen Xi, another of Lin's former students, performed Love's Sorrow and Love's Joy by Fritz Kreisler. Chen, who studied with Lin from 1999 to 2004, remembers his teacher's transformative influence.

"When I first came to his class, I was eager to learn, but it was Professor Lin who taught me patience," says Chen. "His approach wasn't about quick fixes, but about deep, steady understanding. He laid the foundation for everything I know today."

Chen's breakthrough came at age 17 when he won second place at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2002.

"Before the final round, I was nervous and called Professor Lin. He told me, 'These judges are cute little monsters, so just play for them like you would for any other audience'. His humor calmed me," recalls Chen.

Born in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, Lin declared his ambition to become a violinist at a very early age. Upon graduating from the Central Conservatory of Music in 1960, Lin went to study under internationally renowned violin professor Yuri Yankelevich (1909-73) in Moscow. In 1962, Lin returned to the Central Conservatory of Music and embarked on a teaching career.

In addition to the musical tribute, Lin's daughter, violinist Lin Wei, has been preserving her father's pedagogical legacy. Over the years, she led the creation of the Lin Yaoji Violin Method, a comprehensive curriculum now published by the Central Conservatory of Music Press. This series of textbooks has become a cornerstone of violin education not only in China but also internationally, ensuring that Lin's unique approach continues to inspire future generations of musicians.

"As his daughter, I was immersed in his teaching methods from an early age," Lin Wei recalls. "His use of metaphorical language to address musical challenges has shaped my understanding of music, both as a violinist and a teacher. It's a universal approach that resonates far beyond the violin."

Lin Wei's daughters, Laufey and Junia, were fortunate to grow up playing and singing with their grandfather before his passing.

"Their joy in music with him is something they'll always carry with them. Laufey often talks about how my father's poetic, nature-inspired approach to music influenced her music works," Lin Wei adds.

Reflecting on her father's legacy, Lin Wei notes: "Today, you'll find Chinese musicians in leadership positions at the world's top orchestras and conservatories — something unthinkable during my father's generation. This concert on Oct 30 showcased three generations of violinists, just as he envisioned. It's essential that we continue to spread his methods and ensure that his legacy flourishes."

In 2010, Lin Wei and her friend, Winnie Tam, cofounded the Lin Yaoji Music Foundation of China in memory of Lin Yaoji. The foundation continues to honor his life's work, broadening his influence in China and beyond.

Winnie Tam, a close friend of the Lin family and vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, attended the concert and reflected on Lin's impact. "Many of the musicians in the Hong Kong Philharmonic learned from him, and my own children studied with him," Tam says. "He didn't just teach music; he lived it. He breathed rhythm and melody into every lesson, passing on the passion that fueled his own journey."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn