In the mid-Yuan Dynasty (around AD 1300), the first European keyboard instruments were introduced to China. These musical instruments are precious gifts, which were transported to China by western envoys to pay tribute to the emperor's court. Later, some emperors also learned these keyboard instruments, but this was only to prove the extensive participation of China royal family in world culture, and also to prove the superiority of China culture. Most of these harpsichords and pianos were locked in the storerooms of nobles in the early days. They are just rare collections from the west. 1840- 1842 After the Opium War, young people in China began to show more interest in European culture. At this time, the piano played an important role: it introduced western music to China. At the beginning of last century, some American musicians returned from universities in Europe and North China. They know how to play, teach and even compose piano music.

In the1930s, the piano was considered as a solo and backup instrument in China. 1934, Russian composer and pianist Qi Erpin (1899- 1977) held the first China Piano Music Creation Competition in Shanghai, with eleven composers and twenty works. The winning work is He Luting's Cowboy Piccolo; It became the first work to combine China melody with western counterpoint techniques. This song is simple and beautiful, and there have been many imitators since then. The Shepherd Boy Piccolo is indeed a milestone in China's independent piano music.

In War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937- 1945) and the subsequent civil war, China suffered a heavy blow, but music played an inspiring role. The Yellow River Chorus by Xian Xinghai 1939 is an example. At that time, many composers wrote piano music, and the raw materials came from China folk songs. By 1950, there have been more than 300 patriotic piano works.

1949 After liberation, the political situation in China was stable. With the development of piano music and the improvement of playing skills, China pianists began to participate in international competitions. Most of the original piano works take the celebration of new China as the theme, and the cheerful mood combined with the composition techniques just learned from the West has formed a new socialist piano music style. Works with the theme of folk songs are widely accepted, such as "The Day of Turning Over" adapted from the works of a folk music band with a long history; Duige is adapted from folk songs in Hebei Province. In the same way, China's ballet The Mermaid episode The Straw Hat Flower Dance borrowed western music and created new music in China.

During the Cultural Revolution, the piano was not regarded as a reactionary western musical instrument, but it was still a symbol of modernization and progress. Jiang Qing, who likes piano, entrusted Xian Xinghai to adapt The Yellow River Cantata into a piano concerto. The composer died young and didn't live long enough to be liberated, so he couldn't personally adapt this work. In the process of adapting the piano concerto, a group of composers and pianists cooperated with Internationale and Dongfanghong. The piano solo part of this concerto is excellent, which is unprecedented in China. The media also widely reported and broadcast at that time. The Yellow River Concerto is still one of the most popular works in China, regardless of the power of the media or the magnificence of the work itself.

After the Cultural Revolution entered a new era, tradition was once again taken seriously, and artists gradually recovered their creative freedom. There are still many new creations in this era. Over the years, China's piano works are unique, with more original tracks. Based on folk songs, he imitates national musical instruments and improves modern piano playing skills. Autumn Moon in Pinghu, adapted by Chen Peixun, spring dance by Sun Yiqiang, a composer who lives in the United States, and watching the Spring Breeze, a new version of Taiwan Province film, are all good examples.

Since the reform and opening up, the exchange between China and international cultures has greatly influenced the views of China people. Students returning from studying in the West have brought many new concepts to China: rock, jazz, modern music and electronic keyboards. Under the "cross-border" music style of the integration of eastern and western cultures, the application of China classical materials has become a major feature of China's contemporary works. No wonder the piano will be played with China folk instruments. The descriptions of Suzhou's Moonlit Night on the Spring River and a night-mooring near maple bridge, and the famous film composer Zhao Jiping's Qiuci Dance are good proofs.

Piano symbolizes material abundance and cultural accomplishment. There are tens of millions of piano children in China, which will definitely affect the piano world in the future, including pianists, composers and, more importantly, the taste of the public. In today's China, the future of piano music, whether it is the development of business and pure art, or the romantic style or skill, has been brewing.