Paganini of the trumpet

Sergei Mikhailovich Nakariakov, the Russian virtuoso trumpeter, will blow you away at his debut in Guangzhou on Sept 16.

Dubbed "the Paganini of the trumpet", Nakariakov's talent was detected early. He released his first CD recording in 1992 at the age of 15. It's amazing how effortlessly he played difficult pieces including Flight of the Bumble Bee and The Carnival of Venice at such a young age.

Nakariakov later began making adaptations of classical string and vocal music, and is the world's first to play classical music on the flugelhorn.

He fell in love with the trumpet at 9 years old because it looked like a "masculine" musical instrument. But Nakariakov is known for making the trumpet sound soft and gentle like the elegant voice of a human being.

Belgian pianist Maria Meerovitch will accompany Nakariakov during his tour concerts around China. After his Guangzhou recital, Nakariakov will stage performances at Shanghai Concert Hall on Sept 17 and at National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Sept 23.

8 pm, Sept 16. Concert Hall, Xinghai Concert Hall, 33 Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu district, Guangzhou. 020-8735-2222.