Globe-trotting German pianist spreads his charm
In the square facing the Shenzhen Book City complex in Futian District, German street artist-cum-pianist Arne Schmitt played the Chinese song The Moon Represents My Heart on a portable upright piano.
The exotic version of the popular tune drew a big audience, many of whom were surprised not only by the beautiful adaptation, but also by the novel scene of a foreigner playing the piano on the street.
“One thing that I love about street art is the freedom that comes with it,” said Schmitt. “The street is a place where I can learn from my audiences and get connected with them through music.”
Schmitt, who has been traveling around the world with his pianos, started performing in Shenzhen in June after receiving a busker’s certificate from the Lianhua Sub-district Office in Futian District. He said the certificate has given him a sense of security and encouraged him to prolong his stay in the city.
With the words “Piano Across the World” written across his piano, Schmitt’s performances have become a unique scene at the square. Among scores of other street artists and craftsmen, including painters, singers and guitarists, he’s the only pianist and probably the only foreigner.
His pianos are unique in that, according to Schmitt, they are designed to be portable and self-assembled and are crafted based on his own inspiration. With the help of friends, his pianos are pieced together using special parts that Schmitt has kept a secret.
The pianos can be dismantled and folded into a box, and their length is approximately equal to the width of a taxi, so he can take them wherever he’s performing. Before each performance, he would spend about 20 minutes setting up the piano. No one can duplicate his artistic process since his pianos are literally one of a kind.
Schmitt sees Shenzhen offering ideal conditions for street artists. In 2015, the association of street artists in Futian District began managing street performers at the Civic Center square, aimed at officially recognizing them as a part of the city’s urban life.
A ceremony awarding buskers with certificates was held this year with 78 performers receiving their credentials following a rigorous selection process. All the performers signed a self-discipline pact promising the orderly use of their right to play music publicly, by specifically stating they will work within their own specified areas, control performance volumes, and preserve public order and public health.
This year, Schmitt was among the 78 artists who were awarded the certificate, which allows him to perform in a designated area in the square.
He applied in May with a video of one of his performances. He then auditioned in June and was subsequently granted the certificate.
With the support of favorable government policies, Schmitt is able to earn a living and lead a satisfactory life in Shenzhen. He said he will stay in Shenzhen until his visa expires in September, and return in November to continue with his performances.
Schmitt has been a street artist for more than 21 years. Before arriving in Shenzhen in June this year, he had performed in more than 300 cities worldwide, including Berlin, Krakow, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
In 1984, when he was 11, Schmitt first played the accordion with his brother and a friend on the street for fun. To his surprise, his neighbors, having enjoyed his performances, paid him for it. This positive experience as a street artist encouraged him.
Later, while traveling to bigger cities in Germany, he came up with the idea of bringing a piano, his favorite instrument, to express himself.
Thirteen years after his first street performance, he began his career as a piano busker in 1997. In the morning, his brother and friends would help him move the piano to the city center. At night, he would leave it in a parking lot, church or a camping van.
Engaging in street entertainment has also given him precious moments. “Some people have proposed to their girlfriends while I was playing, and I have seen kids dancing to my music in Europe. People cry and smile and I think they are all good experiences for me,” he recalled.
Schmitt plays a variety of slow and romantic songs that leave an emotional impression on his audience. His favorite songs are by Michael Jackson, Elton John and Phil Collins.
“When you are playing, the way you interact with your audiences is important,” he said. “Music is a language that transcends cultural boundaries. When I see my audiences, I try to look into their eyes, feel their emotions and instill it into my music. I’m able to communicate with my audiences and bring energy to them through the smooth songs I perform.”
After finishing a song, he introduces himself to his audience and elaborates on his travel experiences. Within a few minutes, several albums can be sold.
There have been tough times on occasions. He said he had experienced pain in his arm recently and sometimes feels tired while playing repetitive songs. Nonetheless, his musical journey has allowed him to meet new people and make friends, and that’s what makes it worthwhile. As a foreigner, Schmitt’s performance has become an integrated part of the culture at Shenzhen Book City, which has become a place for people to foster intercultural communication.
Schmitt visited Hong Kong in 2015 with a small piano. After attracting crowds of listeners on the street, he considered staying on the Chinese mainland, a place where he expects to meet different people, take on new challenges and learn from an entirely different culture while performing on the street.
Nevertheless, traveling to Shenzhen is not easy, especially with a huge upright piano and without an understanding of Chinese. However, throughout his journey, he has received so much help that he consistently extols the friendliness of the Chinese people.
“I love China. I love Shenzhen,” Schmitt said in Chinese. During his journey, lots of people have helped him carry his piano. When he crossed the Shenzhen-Hong Kong boundary, the policemen helped him. People also helped him carry it onto public transport. One night, when he could not find a taxi, other street performers drove him home and shared their experiences with him without expecting anything in return.
“The Chinese are so kind and different from German street artists, who are always thinking about competing with one another,”