He had previously gained recognition by winning top spots in international piano competitions, including securing second prizes at the 2018 Paloma O'Shea Santander International Piano Competition and the 2017 Ferrol International Piano Competition, both in Spain.

In 2012, he became the youngest first-prize winner of the 54th Jaen Prize International Piano Competition in Spain, and was invited to release a recital recording by the Naxos label.

Sun was born in Tianjin and studied under Chang Hua at the primary and middle schools affiliated to the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. He is now studying at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with the Georgian pianist Alexander Korsantia and the Vietnamese-Canadian pianist Dang Thai Son.

"They both allow me to try whatever I want, but they will also constantly remind me what I should pay attention to on the sheet music, which I think is very inspiring," Sun says.

Sun says he plans to focus on exploring music of different genres and forms as a pianist.

The recital last month was part of the Beijing Concert Hall's 2022 Meet Classics series, featuring chamber music and recitals.

Zhang Yilin, general manager of the Beijing Concert Hall, says that Sun's debut in Beijing "bodes well for both our concert hall and the pianist".

"Among the impressive lineup of musicians we have invited this year, we are very happy to see young classical musicians such as Sun. His participation adds to the richness of the performance series of the concert hall this year."