Idolizing Beethoven, blind pianist sees world through playing music

Xiong Linghao, a visually impaired young woman who started learning the piano at age 6, said her idol is Ludwig van Beethoven, who began to suffer from hearing problems in his 20s and later went completely deaf.

Their physical challenges led both of them to establish a connection with the world through music, said the 18-year-old from Mianyang, Sichuan province, who was born premature and lost her eyesight in early infancy due to a medical accident.

"The piano is my best friend," said Xiong, who was in Shanghai last week to participate in the national final of the 13th Shanghai International Youth Piano Competition, where she played a Beethoven sonata. "The piano has accompanied me throughout my ups and downs in its own way. It brings so much pleasure into my life and empowers me with perseverance."