Musical tribute to the mainland

Maksim Mrvica is about to kick off a 34-city tour of China.[Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

Speaking about the songs, Huljic says that while New Silk Road is a grand and dazzling piece for piano and orchestra, China Rhapsody is just for piano.

"China Rhapsody is much simpler technically. There are many kids in China learning piano and this piece is material for them to practice," he says.

Huljic also says that this year marks the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Croatia and he dedicates these two pieces to the two countries.

Giving details about his tour, Mrvica says that he will divide his upcoming visit China in 2018 into two seasons - spring and autumn.

"The number of the cities (for the tour) is still growing, so I can take a short break between these two parts.

"It (the tour) can be very exhausting. So, I usually stop playing the piano for a while after each segment so that I can recharge myself."

Mrvica, 42, who was born in Sibenik, Croatia, started piano lessons at the age of 9 and by the age of 11, he had held his first concert as a soloist with an orchestra.

It was not easy for him to become a concert pianist, especially when, at the age of 15, war broke out in Croatia.

But he continued to practice his piano in the basement of his music school.