Li Yundi

Yundi Li (born 7 October 1982), also known mononym ously as Yundi (stylized as YUNDI), is a Chinese pianist.

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.

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.

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.

He 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.

Later, he studied under Arie Vardi at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover in Hannover, Germany, from 2001 to 2006.

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.

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 […]”

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.” His United States orchestral debut took place the next month, when he played Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

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.

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".

He has also given a recital in the renowned Musikverein in Vienna, performing works by Mozart, Scarlatti, Schumann, and Liszt.

In April 2004, Yundi completed his North American debut recital tour which included sold-out performances in Boston, Vancouver, San Francisco and New York.

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."

In 2005, Yundi became the first Chinese pianist to appear on the Wall Street Journal and the cover of Aera (magazine).

Yundi obtained Hong Kong residency in November 2006 and was among the first group of successful applicants under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.

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 and praised by The New York Times as one of the best classical CDs of the year.

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.

This album also won the German Echo Album solo award, the Netherlands Edison Award, and the Chinese Gold Record Award.

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."

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 the development of classical music in China, both by his influence and philanthropy.

He has inspired many to learn piano in China.

Yundi was born in Chongqing, China.

Both his father, Li Chuan, and his mother, Zhang Xiaolu, worked for the Chongqing Iron and Steel Company.

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.

His parents then bought him an accordion.

In 2015 he also served as the competition’s youngest-ever juror.

Yundi is especially known for his interpretation of Chopin and Liszt.

He is also regarded by many as a Master in Chopin.

In recognition to his contribution to Chopin pieces, the Polish government awarded Yundi with the world's first Chopin passport (Chopinowskie paszporty).