The Chongqing-born piano prodigy was thrust into the spotlight when he won at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000. (Photo : Universal Music)
Before he heads to Warsaw to participate as the youngest juror in the International Chopin Piano Competition, renowned Chinese pianist Li Yundi talked to the Global Times about his experiences and his relationship with Chopin.
"I feel like I have a very special connection with Chopin, both in my career and in my life," said Li, who recently released his new album on Friday, Sept. 11. Li describes 2015 as his personal "Year of Chopin."
"I've worked on this album and prepared for this tour for two years. They both commemorate the past 15 years of my life, and of course, they both salute my favorite: Chopin."
His recent album release features 26 preludes by his favorite pianist.
Aside from playing Chopin, Li also experimented with the works of other revered classical performers such as Rachmaninov and Franz Liszt. Nothing compares to Chopin, however, according to the pianist.
"They are very music. They possess profound meaning and require a high level of skill. You need to pay a lot of attention to the timbre of the instrument. People might have different understanding of his works and we all want to present the one that is as close as possible to the Chopin on our hearts."
The Chongqing-born piano prodigy was thrust into the spotlight when he won at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000. The then 18-year-old pianist simultaneously became the youngest person and the first Chinese to win the cutthroat competition.
Now, he heads back to Warsaw to be part of the jury.
"It will be a very special experience for me to sit there and get a feel for how the competitors are performing. People's aesthetic ideals are always changing and I want to see how the younger generation of musicians understand and present Chopin," Li said in his interview with the Global Times.
