Canadian pianist and composer Steve Barakatt, a longstanding cultural bridgebuilder between Asia and the West, reflects on his nearly three-decade artistic journey with China in an exclusive interview. Since first collaborating with Hong Kong legend Leon Lai Ming in 1995, Barakatt has become a musical chronicler of cross-cultural exchange, recently composing Riding Around the Forbidden City after immersive experiences in Beijing.
"Music remains humanity's most universal language," Barakatt told KhabarAsia, emphasizing how his symphonic works like Harmonious Journey soundtrack China's evolving global narrative. The composer noted that 2026's AI advancements make human-centered creativity more vital: "While technology handles logistics, our shared task is cultivating people-to-people connections through art."
His observations come as Asian governments increasingly prioritize cultural diplomacy. Barakatt's Beijing-inspired compositions, blending Western classical structures with Chinese melodic traditions, exemplify this soft-power approach. For diaspora communities and international investors alike, such artistic dialogues signal expanding transnational collaboration opportunities.
As travelers rediscover Asia's cultural landmarks post-pandemic, Barakatt's music offers an auditory map of regional heritage. Riding Around the Forbidden City, released this April, translates imperial architecture into cascading piano motifs – a sonic metaphor for East-West exchange.
