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Liu Wei: Armless pianist
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E-mail CNTV, February 14, 2012
A 23 year old pianist, Liu Wei, gave a memorable performance in Vienna's Golden Saal concert hall in early 2011. The audience enjoyed beautiful music and with an unforgettable guest performer.
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Liu Wei is playing at China's Got Talent. |
Well-knowledged music fans in Vienna enjoyed a special rendition of the famous Chinese piece Butterfly Lovers, featuring the unique armless pianist, Liu Wei.
Liu lost both his arms when he was ten after a high voltage electrical accident that left him in the hospital for 3 months.Wang Xiangying, Liu Wei's mother, said "I found the world had collapsed. What could I do?"
Liu Wei stayed in rehabilitation centre for 2 years, and witnessed many deaths. When he got out, he was grateful to be alive.Liu Wei said "I wanted to move on with my life, and if I could, that would be a success for me."
Two years after the accident, he was introduced to Beijing's paralyzed swimming team.Despite being a double-amputee, he managed to take two golds in the National Paralyzed Swimming Championship at 14.
But two missing arms weren't the last of his physical ailments. Soon after his gold medals he was diagnosed with allergic purpura which forbade him from intensive exercise.
Liu's mother said "The moment I found out, I shouted to the sky: What have I done wrong to deserve this?"Liu Wei said "My body bleeds, and my kidney is dysfunctional."
The door was shut on sports, but it opened in music, a difference outlet for performance.Tapping keys with a set of toes is even more difficult than it looks.
Zhong Sheng, music producer, said "No one believes it is feasible to play piano with toes." Liu Wei continued "I knew if I tried, I might get a chance at success. If I didn't try, I would be doomed."
He could not find a teacher to lead him to play with his toes, so he began teaching himself.Liu said "I tried very hard to get my toes separated."Zhong Sheng said "I tried myself, it was impossible."
He carried on a daily 7-hour practice.Liu said "My improvement gave me hope. I kept practicing and progressed gradually."
One year later, he began preforming, and has been unforgettable since.Liu Wei believes losing both his arms gave him a chance to embrace a bigger world.
