Qin's latest hit

Cellist Li-Wei Qin's album, Beethoven's Cello Sonatas, stayed in my car's CD player for about a month. Recently, got hold of his latest Decca record of Rachmaninov's Works for Cello and Piano and after listening to it once, I knew it would stay in my car for the next three months.

Rachmaninov wrote relatively little chamber music, but his compositions have included a small number of pieces for cello and piano. The album also incorporates three songs - Melody, Spring Waters and To the Children.

Qin calls it his mission to record Beethoven's cello piece, which challenges the cellist's talent. But he enjoys playing Rachmaninov more. Together with Filipino pianist Albert Tiu, the duo had a lot of fun recording the album.

Born in Shanghai to a pianist mother and a cellist father, Qin struggled between the two instruments for a few years and finally decided to take the bow. It has proven to be a good decision.

The citation for his performance at the 11th Tchaikovsky International Competition, where he was awarded the Silver Medal in 1999, read: "Li-Wei drew the audience in with his artistry, his brilliant virtuosity and his very refined musicality and sincerity of interpretation."