If you think all piano recitals are dull, stuffy, pretentious affairs, then think again. Beloved German pianist Joja Wendt has not only proven his dexterity at the keyboard–he’s also stretched his genre well past its traditional confines. From his interactive performances that call for fervent audience participation, to his rollicking onstage collaborations with Chuck Berry, AC/DC, and other mainstream rock stars, Wendt has defied expectations again and again. Below, he reveals the secrets of his spirited playing, ahead of his upcoming performances at the Shanghai Children’s Art Theatre on Oct. 4 and 5, and Beijing’s Ethnic Cultural Palace Theater on Oct. 6.