To say that Yuja Wang marches to the beat of her own drum might feel a slightly muddled metaphor to describe a virtuoso pianist.

Perhaps it would be more apt to say that she’s styling to the height of her own hemline. I’m referring of course to Wang’s short dresses (often paired with dangerously high heels) that have attracted almost as much attention from the critical press as her astonishing skills at the keyboard.

Her rock star wardrobe may be far from the most interesting thing about the 28-year-old Chinese musician, but it speaks to the determination and individuality that has driven her meteoric rise to international stardom. Already she has performed in many of the world’s great concert halls along with the world’s greatest orchestras, most recently making her debut with the Berlin Philharmonic, performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 2.

Meanwhile, despite being signed on exclusive contract to classical recording juggernaut Deutsche Grammophon, in characteristically progressive style she has also reached out to millions via YouTube with her blistering performances of Stravinsky, Rachmaninov, and – racking up over 4.5 million views alone – a sparkling performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble-Bee.

With one...