Pianist and composer Alain Lefèvre has joined the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra as part of the celebratory program for the official opening of the Canada Pavilion at the World Expo. Lefèvre played his original piece, "The Magic Panda," which he says was written out of love for the Chinese people. Before Saturday night's concert, our reporter Zhang Nini talked to him about his trip to the host city, and his passion for music.

Pianist and composer Alain Lefèvre has joined the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra aspart of the celebratory program for the official opening of the Canada Pavilion atthe World Expo.

The melody flows smoothly from skillful digits. "The Magic Panda," which made its debut at the 2007 Beijing Music Festival, is a suite rooted in the Western classical genre, yet very dear to Chinese audiences. This is due to its exceptional rendition by Alain Lefèvre.

Acclaimed as a "smashing performer," with "the 10 most agile fingers to have ever emerged from Quebec," Lefèvre has enjoyed a sparkling music career, touring the world repeatedly, and playing at prestigious venues, both in recitals, and alongside top international orchestras and leading conductors.

Alain Lefèvre, pianist & composer, said, A4:"... To be a good artist, you have to firstly be a good man ... always have the audience in the heart, that's what I call respect."

With this motto in mind, Alain Lefèvre continues to take his music to wider audiences. He hopes the experience will linger on, long after the melodies come to a stop.

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