CHRISTCHURH, New Zealand, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese pianist Chen Moye joined the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) on Saturday to give his first performance in New Zealand.

With a growing reputation for his interpretations of Russian composer Rachmaninov, the Beijing-born, award-winning pianist makes his New Zealand debut with the CSO performing Rachmaninov's lyrical and vivacious fourth piano concerto.

Chen has won prizes at many international piano competitions, including the Sydney International Piano Competition in 2016.

Described by critics as possessing "an incendiary technique and warm stage presence," Chen has got the music world talking, according to the CSO.

The performance was held at the Christchurch Town Hall, which reopened to the public for the first time in eight years in February after the devastating 2011 earthquake.