Yundi Li Pianist Date of Birth: 07.10.1982 Country: China

Biography of Yundi Li

Yundi Li, born on October 7, 1982, in Chongqing, China, is a renowned pianist who has achieved great success in both his international performing career and the world of recording. At the young age of eighteen, Li made waves in the music world by winning the prestigious International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland, becoming the youngest and first Chinese pianist to win the competition in its history. He also received a special prize for the best performance of a polonaise.

Li's passion for music blossomed at an early age, despite his parents having no connection to the art form. At four years old, he started playing the accordion after being captivated by the instrument in a shopping center. He quickly mastered it and won the top prize at the Children's Accordion Competition in Chongqing. At seven years old, he began taking piano lessons and showed immense talent. His teacher, Dan Zhao Yi, recognized Li's potential and guided him for nine years, culminating in his remarkable victory at the Chopin Competition.

In 1994, at the age of twelve, Li excelled in the audition and earned a place at the prestigious Sichuan Conservatory of Music. His family moved to Shenzhen to support his education, as his teacher, Dan Zhao Yi, took up a new position at the Shenzhen School of Arts. Despite the high tuition fees, Li's mother left her job to ensure he had the necessary support and conditions to pursue his musical studies. The school recognized Li's talent and awarded him a scholarship, allowing him to continue his education and participate in international competitions.

Over the years, Li has achieved remarkable success in various international competitions. He won first place at the International Stravinsky Youth Piano Competition in the United States in 1995 and took third place in the junior category at the International Piano Competition hosted by the Missouri Southern State University in 1998. In 1999, he received the third prize at the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition in Utrecht, Netherlands, and went on to win the top prize at the International Piano Competition in Beijing. He also won first place in the young performers category at the International Gina Bachauer Piano Competition in the United States.

Following his victory at the Chopin Competition, Li decided to focus solely on his concert career and declined further participation in competitions. However, he continued to refine his skills by studying under renowned piano pedagogue Arie Vardi at the Hanover University of Music, Drama, and Media in Germany. From November 2006 onwards, Li made Hong Kong his permanent residence.

Li's victory at the Chopin Competition opened up numerous opportunities for his international performing career and recording projects. He signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon (DG) and released his first studio album in 2002, featuring Chopin's music. This debut album became a sensation, selling 100,000 copies in Japan, Korea, and China. Li's discography with DG includes six solo studio albums, one live DVD, and four compilation albums featuring his performances.

In 2010, Li signed an exclusive contract with EMI Classics and released his first album under this label, a double CD featuring all of Chopin's nocturnes. He has also performed extensively worldwide, including Europe, America, and Asia, with solo recitals and collaborations with prestigious orchestras and conductors. Li's performances have received critical acclaim, and he continues to captivate audiences with his sincere and emotional interpretations of classical music.

Despite his success, Li remains humble and focused on his artistic development. He believes in dedicating half of his time to concert performances and the other half to self-improvement and learning new repertoire. He strives to bring sincere emotions and excellent music to his audience. In the studio recording world, he aims to maintain a balance by releasing only one CD per year, ensuring that his musical artistry does not become a mere production line.

Throughout his career, Li's performances have resonated with audiences worldwide, and he has received numerous accolades for his exceptional talent. His recent concert in Moscow received an overwhelming response, and his performances at the Chopin Festival in Warsaw and concerts in Europe, the United States, and Japan have been highly acclaimed. Li's musical journey continues to unfold, and he remains dedicated to bringing the beauty and depth of Chopin's music to audiences worldwide.