Yundi Li (simplified Chinese: 李云迪; traditional Chinese: 李雲迪; pinyin: Lǐ Yúndí; born 7 October 1982), also known mononymously as Yundi (stylized as YUNDI), is a Chinese classical concert pianist. Yundi is especially known for his interpretation of Chopin and Liszt. He is also referred as a Master in Chopin and one of the finest interpreters of Chopin.
Yundi rose to fame for being the youngest pianist, at the age of eighteen, to win first prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000. In 2015, he also served as the competition’s youngest-ever juror. In recognition to his contribution to Chopin pieces, the Polish government awarded Yundi with the world's first Chopin passport (Chopinowskie paszporty). Yundi is also the first Chinese recipient of both Silver (2010) and Gold (2019) Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis issued by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Polish government, in regards to his contribution to both music and Polish culture.
Yundi has promoted Chinese traditional music worldwide, as well as the development of classical music in China, both by his influence and philanthropy. He has inspired many to learn piano.
Early life and education
Yundi was born in Chongqing, China. Both his father, Li Chuan, and his mother, Zhang Xiaolu, worked for the Chongqing Iron and Steel Company.[1] Despite coming from a family without professional musicians, he began a formal music education at a very young age. At age three, he was so enchanted by an accordion performance at a shopping mall that he refused to leave.[2] His parents then bought him an accordion. Studying with Tan Jianmin, a local music teacher, he mastered the instrument so quickly that he won the top prize at the Chongiqing Children's Accordion Competition in March 1987.[3]
Yundi began studying piano with Wu Yong at the age of seven. Two years later, Mr. Wu introduced him to Dan Zhaoyi, one of China's most renowned piano educators, with whom he would study for nine years.[4] In 1994, when Mr. Dan Zhaoyi accepted a job offer from Shenzhen Arts School, Yundi followed him there to continue his study with him until his triumph at the 2000 International Chopin Piano Competition.[5] Yundi attracted interest from all the great schools of music, for example Eastman School of Music and Juilliard,[6] and was invited to study at Juilliard after his graduation in Shenzhen Arts School by Professor Lowenthal.[7] Later, he studied under Arie Vardi at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover in Hannover, Germany, from 2001 to 2006.[8]
Career
Signing with Deutsche Grammophon
Yundi has gained international recognition since his victory in 2000 XIV International Chopin Piano Competition, as he became the first competitor to be awarded the First Prize in 15 years since Stanislav Bunin won it in 1985,[9] as well as the youngest and first Chinese first-prize winner.[10]
In 2001, Yundi became the first Chinese pianist signed by Deutsche Grammophon and had his first album “Yundi Li: Chopin” released on its label. The CD was first released in Japan and warmly welcomed.[11] In their review of the album, Gramophone magazine stated that “ […] his unequivocal triumph is faithfully mirrored on his DG début album in performance after performance. Everything is naturally and enviably proportioned (a rare but necessary attribute in the everelusive Chopin)‚ everything fuelled alike by a style and poise way beyond his teenage years […]”[12]
Yundi made his Carnegie Hall debut to great acclaim in June 2003, performing in a concert celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Steinway & Sons. Bernard Holland of the New York Times wrote about Yundi’s performance: "Yundi Li, a young but seasoned competition gladiator, played Chopin and Liszt with a promising mix of elegance and impetuosity."[13][14] His United States orchestral debut took place the next month, when he played Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Philadelphia Orchestra.[15]
He was also honoured at a special reception at the home of the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, where he performed for various officials of the US State Department.[16]
Yundi's second recording of Liszt on Deutsche Grammophon, for which he exclusively recorded until November 2008, was released in August 2003 and was named "Best CD of the Year" by The New York Times.[17] This album also won the German Echo Album solo award, the Netherlands Edison Award, and the Chinese Gold Record Award.[18] Of this recording, Harris Goldsmith of Musical America wrote that it "[...] includes perhaps the finest account of the B-minor Sonata I have ever heard— [it] is, if anything, light years ahead in patrician elegance: exquisite artistry from one of the greatest talents to surface in years—nay, decades."[19] His third recording Chopin: Scherzi/Impromptus, comprising Chopin's four Scherzi and three Impromptus, was released in late 2004. Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times praised this recording for Yundi's "white-hot virtuosity" and "uncanny clarity".[20] He has also given a recital in the renowned Musikverein in Vienna, performing works by Mozart, Scarlatti, Schumann, and Liszt.[21]
In April 2004, Yundi completed his North American debut recital tour which included sold-out performances in Boston, Vancouver, San Francisco and New York.[22] Yundi made his New York recital debut at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on April 24, 2004, performing Chopin scherzos and a Liszt sonata among other pieces. Reviewing this recital, Allan Kozinn of the New York Times wrote: "Mr. Li deals in a more poetic, deeply considered pianism, delivered without extraneous gestures and body language. One thing Mr. Li showed was that thoughtful interpretation can be every bit as virtuosic and exciting as the showier variety."[23]
Yundi obtained Hong Kong residency in November 2006 and was among the first group of successful applicants under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.[26]
In 2007, Yundi became the first Chinese pianist to record live with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Seiji Ozawa. This Deutsche Grammophon release Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 and Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major garnered rave reviews and was a bestseller. It was named Editor’s Choice by Gramophone magazine[27] and praised by The New York Times as one of the best classical CDs of the year.[28][29] Bryce Morrison of Gramophone reviewed the album "[...]Indeed, his performance of the Prokofiev, in its prodigious, unflagging power and brilliance, far surpasses any other in the catalogue[...]".[30]
Yundi is the subject of a 2008 feature-length documentary, "The Young Romantic: A Portrait of Yundi", directed by Barbara Willis Sweete. This documentary "captures the poetic intensity of this young virtuoso as he works with the great Maestro Seiji Ozawa to prepare for his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra..."[31] In 2008, he became the first Chinese pianist to have a wax sculpture by Madame Tussauds.[32] Also in 2008, he appeared as a Pennington Great Performers series artist with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.[33]
Signing with EMI Classics
In January 2010, Yundi signed an exclusive recording contract with EMI Classics with plans to record the complete works for solo piano by Frédéric Chopin.[34]
Yundi performed a solo recital at the Royal Festival Hall in London on March 16, 2010. He played a repertoire of Chopin pieces in a sold-out concert.[38]
Signing with Deutsche Grammophon again
In May 2012, Yundi officially signed with Universal Music Group and cooperated with Deutsche Grammophon once again.[39] Deutsche Grammophon released his recording of Beethoven Sonatas in late 2012.[39] This recording was chosen as one of Classic FM's "Album of the Year 2013" and attained Platinum status in China.[40] Yundi then released recordings of Schumann Fantasie, The Art of Yundi, Chopin prelude, and Chopin ballades, berceuse and mazurkas.[41]
Yundi launched his "Piano Dream" national tour in his hometown Chongqing on August 19, 2013, and brought his music to 30 cities in the next 80 days. Most of those cities were second or third-tier.[42] In response to questions from the media and the public, Yundi remarked that it was not degrading for him to perform in second and third-tier cities and he didn't mind the less ideal conditions of some concert halls; he simply wanted to provide more people with an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of classical music.[43]
In July 2015 and as featured guest soloist, Yundi embarked on a nine-concert tour with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States led by celebrated conductor Charles Dutoit. Comprising mainly the orchestra’s debut performances in Asia, the tour started at Purchase College’s Performing Arts Center and ended in Hong Kong. Carnegie Hall was the second stop. The other six concerts were given in Mainland China.[44]
On 30 October of the same year, while performing Chopin'sPiano Concerto No. 1 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Korea, Yundi suffered a memory lapse.[45] He subsequently performed the piece smoothly again with conductor David Robertson and the orchestra.[46] Later, Yundi apologised for his mistake on his weibo, and explained it happened because of travel fatigue.[47]
Critics stated the overall performance as “The famed Chinese pianist's slip up steals the show, but his Chopin is still stellar”, commented the mistake as “that’s the nature of live music, and perfection is boring” and considered the remedy “[…]But it gave me even greater admiration, on many levels, for everyone involved[…]In the temple to the arts, I was witnessing a moment of pure civility, decency and camaraderie, and was given a reminder that the gods are, in fact, human, and all the more heroic for that.”[46]
Yundi in 2016
In 2016, Yundi went on a Chopin world tour, which includes Germany, Russia and the United States.[48] In March, he performed an all-Chopin program in Carnegie Hall, with an encore Ren Guang’sColorful Clouds Chasing the Moon. Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim of the New York Times commented "[…]he showed off a graduated array of colors and moods, including moments of understated simplicity and tenderness light-years removed from his high-decibel image.[…]".[49] On April 21 of the same year, he performed in the National Concert Hall of Dublin.[48]
In May 2017, Yundi attended the opening ceremony of the Yundi Art Museum, located in the Chongqing Huangjueping Piano Museum. It displays several pianos from different stages of Yundi's career, including his first piano, as well as a collection of his awards, albums and photographs, and a high-tech experience pavilion.[50]
From August 29 to September 5 in 2017, Yundi led the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra on a five-city concert tour in China, performing Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 and No. 2 as both the pianist and the conductor. It was Yundi's first time picking up the baton.[51] This tour was the first of a series of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of Poland's regained independence.[52]
In 2018, Yundi had a successful debut in Australia and New Zealand. In a series of sold-out concerts, Yundi performed with local orchestras Chopin's Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 both as a soloist and a conductor.[55][56]
Signing with Warner Classics
In December 2019, Yundi signed with Warner Classics.[57] He soon released a new album on its label, Chopin’s Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, in January 2020. In this recording, he not only played the piano, but also conducted the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra from the piano bench.[58] This album was chosen by Donald Vroon of the American Record Guide as one of the "Best of 2020".[59] The International Piano Magazine reviewed this recording, "This is aristocratic Chopin, unfailing in its clarity, elegance and unforced eloquence. Nothing is over-played, everything is expressed. Yundi Li ranks among the finest, his reading of the F minor Concerto’s central love song hauntingly inward looking. The Warsaw Philharmonic offer stout support, and sound and balance are exemplary."[60]
2023-present: YUNDI Plays Mozart The Sonata Project 1 Comeback Tour
Yundi embarked on his comeback tour, 2023 Australia Coming Back Tour: YUNDI Plays Mozart The Sonata Project 1 in 2023, two years after he was blacklisted in China for alleged solicitation of prostitutes.[61] At his performance in Adelaide, Yundi performed Chopin’sNocturne In E Flat Major as an encore.[61] Yundi’s coming back tour was regarded as excellent and successful.
[62]
In Yundi's 2001 album Chopin, his Fantaisie Impromptu is regarded as "The melody design of the middle section is embedded in a very sonically oriented accompaniment. The fast passages are lively without being intrusive. Yundi Li manages to strictly adhere to the composition’s guidelines and yet convey a vivacity that places his interpretation alongside that of other great pianists."[78]
Yundi's versions of Chopin are referred "artistically serious, poetic, romantic, light-touch, harmonious, and uplifting",[79] as well as "authentic and impeccable".[72] The Telegraph praised his performance as "beautifully polished and unfailingly elegant",[80] while BBC Music Magazine noted that his “technically precise considered" approach to the music was heightened with "virtuosic flair".[81]
Yundi's technique in Chopin's pieces is described as "He has all that’s needed in poetry and sensitivity. His touch is perfect—never heavy, as Biret can be—and yet there is joy, zest, technical aplomb, healthy drama, and unerring tempos and rhythms."[82] and "Every passage is woven so smoothly and naturally that not even a grain of sound is felt, and this, combined with Chopin's pale romanticism, heightens the listener's sense of immersion."[72]
Liszt
Yundi's interpretations of Liszt are described "dazzling, daredevil renderings, sheer, heart-stopping beauty".[17] His versions are believed to have "a smooth playing, with its flowing, impassioned rhythms, and full, rich tone, is a complete and dynamic interpretation of the score, without loss of style or form".[77]
Beethoven
Jed Distler of Gramophone reviewed Yundi's ‘Moonlight’ Sonata "There’s more swing and edge to the Allegretto than I gave him credit for, while the unflappable security behind the finale’s sheen and sparkle does not preclude nervous energy. Yundi’s Moonlight may not be the deepest in the catalogue but it wears well over repeated hearings and will not steer collectors wrong."[83]
Mozart and Ravel
Yundi's Mozart interpretations are described "very graceful, extremely delicate and charming, refined and aristocratic".[84] His versions of Ravel are regarded "a tart, exuberant and (in the Adagio assai) dreamy account of the Ravel concerto."[85]
Schumann and Prokofiev
Yundi's interpretations of Schumann are "tempered by good taste and that rare ability to hit upon just the right tempos" and "brought a wider range of dynamics and dramatic characterization to the music".[86]
Yundi "excels in Prokofiev’s volatile, technically daunting Piano Concerto No. 2." and "plays with expansive lyricism, surging power and, when called for, incisive attack."[85]
In October 2000, selected by the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China to represent the country, Yundi participated in the XIV International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. Yundi was the first competitor to be awarded the First Prize (the gold medal) in 15 years since Stanislav Bunin won it in 1985.[9] At 18 years of age, Yundi was the youngest and the first Chinese first prize winner in the competition's history.[10] Yundi was also given a Special Prize for the "Best Performance of a Polonaise" by the Chopin Society.[3][90]
Awards and Honours
In 2003, Yundi’s release album "Liszt" received the German Echo Klassik Solo Recording of the Year Solistische Einspielung des Jahres and China Gold Record Awards,[91] additionally named an “Best CD of the Year” by The New York Times.[76][92][17]"Liszt" was also nominated Edison Award's Instrumental Soloist (Instrumentale Solorecitals) in 2004.[93]
In 2005, Yundi won “Best New Classical Artist” of XM Satellite Radio's First Annual XM Nation Music Awards.[94]
The same year, in recognition to his contribution to Chopin pieces, the Polish government presented Yundi with the world's first Chopin passport (Chopinowskie paszporty).[98][99][100]
Yundi is a notable example of China’s piano art development in the multifaceted development of the pianist's personality.[71]
Additionally, Yundi has promoted the development of classical music in China.[106] Since 2008, Yundi is sponsored by Rolex, only under the condition that they subsidise music teaching in rural China.[107]
Yundi is the role model to millions of young musicians in his home country,[106] and has inspired many to learn piano.[48][108]
Yundi has promoted Chinese traditional music worldwide. He recorded traditional Chinese folk melodies but also world-premiere songs, aiming to promote Chinese keyboard music.[106]
Yundi’s discography contains 16 studio albums. He has also made five contributions to compilation albums with Deutsche Grammophon not under his name and featured in three video items, his 2005 and 2010 concert, as well as his documentary The Young Romantic: A Portrait of Yundi.
Yundi signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon in 2001 and released his first album Chopin in early 2002, which contains the works of Chopin. In 2003, the year of Yundi's Carnegie Hall debut, Deutsche Grammophon released his second album Liszt, an all-Liszt CD. It was given the title "Best CD of the Year" by The New York Times, which also referred to his 2008 release of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major as one of the best classical CDs of the year. Yundi continued to record for Deutsche Grammophon until October 2008, releasing a total of 6 studio albums with the label.
In 2010, Yundi began to record with EMI Classics, with whom he signed an exclusive recording contract to record Chopin’s complete solo piano works. His first EMI release, Chopin: Nocturnes, was released in March 2010. He subsequently released Live In Beijing and Red Piano, releasing a total of 3 studio albums with the label.
In May 2012, Yundi officially signed with Universal Music Group and cooperated with Deutsche Grammophon once again. He then released recordings of Beethoven, The art of YUNDI, Emperor Fantasy, Chopin Preludes and Chopin Ballades Berceuse Mazurkas, a total of five studio albums.
In December 2019, Yundi signed with Warner Classics. He soon released a new album on its label, Chopin’s Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, in January 2020. In this recording, he not only played the piano, but also conducted the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra from the piano bench. Yundi released his latest album Mozart: The Sonata Project - Salzburg on 5 April 2024, with Warner Classics.
Yundi has achieved considerable commercial and critical success. His albums have ranked on Billboard charts, including the Top Classical Albums.
Personal life
Yundi owns a cat named Musigny.[109] His hobbies are listening to Verdi accompanied by good red wine, and drinking tea while listening to jazz.[107] His role-model is Chopin.[110]
Foodie
“In fact, food can also bring out the feeling of music. For example, in French composer Ravel's classic piece Jeux d'eau, the last line is just like the disappearance of champagne bubbles.”
Yundi enjoys cuisine across the globe, as he believes that music styles of places can be found from food.[111] He particularly likes crabs.[112] He is also good at cooking, especially Sichuan cuisinetwice-cooked pork.[111]
Philanthropy
In 2001, Yundi donated a portion of the sales revenue of his first CD “Yundi Li: Chopin” to United Nations Children's Fund, aiming to benefit children living in China’s economically disadvantaged areas.[11]
Soon after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, Yundi cancelled his European concerts[113] to perform in a fundraising concert in Beijing, along with several other famous musicians of Sichuan origin. Funds raised at the concert were donated to helping rebuild schools in Wenchuan County and providing mental healing services for children affected by the earthquake.[114] On November 29, 2008, right before the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Yundi headlined a charity concert held in the Bird’s Nest Stadium to support people disabled by the earthquake.[115]
On January 11, 2011, before a charity piano recital in Beijing, Yundi told reporters that "Charity is just like music which comes from deep inside my heart. I can express my love for society and my country through my fingers, just like Chopin did." This recital was for the individuals and companies that had contributed to the efforts of the Red Cross Society of China in 2010. During the recital, Yundi was honored as the Music Ambassador of the Chinese Red Cross Foundation.[116]
Joining forces with I DO Fund of China Charity Federation [117] in 2016, Yundi helped build the first music classroom and library for Puma Jiangtang Elementary School, the school with the highest altitude (5373 meters) in Tibet. The music classroom was named after Yundi. At the opening ceremony on September 1, also the first day of the new school year, Yundi taught the Tibetan children to play the piano hoping to help them open the door to music exploration.[118][119]
Arrest for alleged solicitation of prostitutes
On 21 October 2021, after a tip-off by public informants referred to as the Chaoyang masses,[120] Yundi was detained by Beijing police for allegedly hiring a prostitute. Under Chinese law, Yundi could be detained for up to 15 days and fined up to 5000 yuan ($782) for illegally soliciting a sex worker. The Chinese Musicians' Association subsequently declared that it would revoke Yundi's membership.[121]Jerome A. Cohen, a New York University law professor specializing in the Chinese law, called the "lack of transparency" about his case "concerning", noting that prostitution is a "time-honored Communist Party claim against political opponents".[122] According to The Guardian, there has thus far been no evidence that indicates the detention is politically motivated.[123]
On 16 March 2022, the United States Department of Justice released a document[124][125] that includes a detail suggesting "the derogatory information regarding the Pianist may have been manufactured". Multiple news sources[126][127] reported that "the Pianist" is an apparent reference to Yundi.
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^"李雲迪蕭邦大賽最年輕評委" [Yundi Li, the youngest juror of International Chopin Piano Competition]. 東方日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
^sina_mobile (5 January 2021). "所以第一本"肖邦护照"获得者是郎朗还是李云迪？到底谁在说谎？" [So who was the first recipient of "Chopin Passport", Lang Lang or Yundi Li? Who is lying?]. k.sina.cn (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
^"李云迪与喵星人隔空互动 网友：你家猫胖成球了" [Li Yundi interacts with his cat. Netizen: Your cat is as chubby as a ball.] (in Chinese). Phoenix New Media. 5 April 2016. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024.
^ abc冯雪珺 (April 2016). "李云迪，在美食里找音乐" [Li Yundi, looking for music in delicious food] (in Chinese). Global People 2016 Issue 11. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024.
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