Yundi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yundi Li
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| 李云迪 | |
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Yundi in 2019
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| Born | 7 October 1982 Chongqing, Sichuan, China
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| Citizenship | Hong Kong |
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| Occupation | Pianist |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Awards | First Prize at 14th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition (2000) |
| Honours |   |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Classical |
| Instruments | Piano |
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Yundi Li (simplified Chinese: 李云迪; traditional Chinese: 李雲迪; pinyin: Lǐ Yúndí; born 7 October 1982), often called Yundi, is a famous Chinese classical concert pianist. Many people think he is one of the best at playing music by Chopin. He is also well-known for his performances of music by Liszt and Prokofiev.
Yundi became famous when he won the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000. He was only eighteen, making him the youngest winner ever. In 2015, he also became the youngest person to be a judge at the same competition. The Polish government gave Yundi the world's first "Chopin passport" because of his amazing work with Chopin's music. He is also the first Chinese person to receive both the Silver (2010) and Gold (2019) Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis from the Polish government. These awards recognize his important contributions to music and Polish culture.
Yundi has helped share Chinese national music around the world. He has also supported the growth of classical music in China through his influence and charity work.
Contents
Early life and musical training
Yundi Li was born in Chongqing, China, on 7 October 1982. His parents, Li Chuan and Zhang Xiaolu, did not play music themselves. However, Yundi started learning music at a very young age. When he was three, he loved an accordion performance so much that his parents bought him one. He learned quickly and won a local competition in 1987.
Yundi began studying piano at age seven. Two years later, he started learning from Dan Zhaoyi, a famous piano teacher. He studied with Dan for nine years. In 1994, Yundi joined Dan at the Shenzhen Arts School. He continued his studies there for six more years. Top music schools like the Eastman School of Music and Juilliard School wanted him to study with them. From 2001 to 2006, he studied in Germany with Arie Vardi.
Career highlights
Becoming a global artist
Yundi gained international fame after winning the XIV International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000. He was the first person to win the First Prize in 15 years and the youngest Chinese winner. Since then, he has played with many leading orchestras worldwide. These include the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester.
In 2001, Yundi became the first Chinese pianist to sign with Deutsche Grammophon, a major record label. His first album for them was Yundi Li: Chopin. Gramophone magazine praised his playing, saying it showed "style and poise way beyond his teenage years."
Yundi performed for the first time at Carnegie Hall in New York in 2003. He played Chopin and Liszt, and a reviewer from The New York Times called his performance "a promising mix of elegance and impetuosity." The next month, he made his United States orchestra debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Deutsche Grammophon released Yundi's second album, featuring music by Liszt, in 2003. The New York Times named it one of the "Best Classical CD's of the Year." This album also won a German Echo Klassik award. A critic from Musical America said his performance of Liszt's B-minor Sonata was "exquisite artistry from one of the greatest talents to surface in years." His third album, Chopin: Scherzi/Impromptus, came out in 2004.
In 2005, Yundi was the first Chinese pianist to be featured on the cover of the Wall Street Journal. He moved to Hong Kong in 2006.
In 2007, Yundi became the first Chinese pianist to record live with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Seiji Ozawa. This recording received excellent reviews and was named Editor's Choice by Gramophone.
A documentary called The Young Romantic: A Portrait of Yundi was made about him in 2008. It shows his intense work with Maestro Seiji Ozawa. Also in 2008, he became the first Chinese pianist to have a wax figure at Madame Tussauds.
New recordings and tours
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In 2010, Yundi signed a new recording contract with EMI Classics. He planned to record all of Chopin's solo piano music. That same year, he performed at a special concert celebrating Chopin's 200th birthday. He also gave a sold-out solo concert in London.
In 2012, Yundi signed with Universal Music Group and worked with Deutsche Grammophon again. He released an album of Beethoven sonatas, which became a "Platinum" album in China. He then released more albums, including music by Schumann and Chopin.
Yundi started his "Piano Dream" tour in China in 2013. He played in 30 cities, many of which were smaller cities. He wanted to give more people the chance to enjoy classical music.
In 2014, Yundi performed a piano concert in Poland to celebrate Chopin's 204th birthday. The First Lady of Poland, Anna Komorowska, attended the concert.
In 2015, Yundi toured with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America. They performed in nine concerts, including their first shows in Asia.
In 2016, Yundi went on a Chopin world tour, playing in Germany, Russia, and the United States. He performed an all-Chopin program at Carnegie Hall. A reviewer from the New York Times noted his "graduated array of colors and moods."
In 2017, the Yundi Art Museum opened in Chongqing, China. It displays pianos from his career, awards, albums, and photos. From August to September 2017, Yundi led the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra on a tour in China. He played and conducted Chopin's Piano Concertos No. 1 and No. 2. This was his first time conducting.
In 2018, Yundi had successful concerts in Australia and New Zealand. He performed Chopin's Piano Concertos as both soloist and conductor.
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In 2019, Yundi signed with Warner Classics. He released a new album in 2020, featuring Chopin's Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2. On this album, he conducted the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra while playing the piano. This album was chosen as one of the "Best of 2020" by the American Record Guide.
Recent performances and tours
Yundi started his "YUNDI Plays Mozart The Sonata Project 1 Comeback Tour" in Australia in 2023. His performances were highly praised.
From March to May 2024, Yundi toured Europe with his "YUNDI Plays Mozart The Sonata Project 1" tour. He visited cities important to Mozart, such as Vienna and Paris. He also released the album Mozart: The Sonata Project - Salzburg. This album has received excellent reviews. From September to October 2024, Yundi went on an Asian tour, including Japan and Singapore.
In January 2025, Yundi expanded his Japan tour and started a North American tour. His return to Carnegie Hall after nine years sold out quickly.
Musical style and technique
Yundi is known as one of the best players of Chopin's music. He is also famous for his performances of Liszt and Prokofiev. His playing of music by Mozart, Beethoven, Ravel, and Schumann has also received praise.
Playing Chopin
The Daily Telegraph described Yundi's Chopin performances as "beautifully polished and unfailingly elegant." BBC Music Magazine noted his "technically precise" approach combined with "virtuosic flair."
Critics have praised Yundi's technique in Chopin's pieces. The American Record Guide said he has "all that's needed in poetry and sensitivity." French Crescendo Magazine called his technique "flawless, dazzlingly agile, existing in perfect symbiosis with the musical intent."
Playing Liszt and Prokofiev
Yundi's performances of Liszt's music are described as "dazzling, daredevil renderings, sheer, heart-stopping beauty" by Allan Kozinn of The New York Times. His versions are known for their "smooth playing, with its flowing, impassioned rhythms, and full, rich tone." According to The New York Times, Yundi "excels in Prokofiev's volatile, technically daunting Piano Concerto No. 2." He plays with "expansive lyricism, surging power and, when called for, incisive attack."
Achievements and recognition
Competitions and awards
Yundi has won many top awards in various competitions.
- In 1993, he won the Chongqing Children's Piano Competition.
- In 1994, he won the Huapo Cup National Competition in Beijing.
- He won third place at the Stravinsky International Youth Competition in 1995.
- In 1996, he won third prize in the Hong Kong – Asia Piano Open Competition.
- He won the Concerto "Yellow River" Group of the Chinese Piano Pieces in 1997.
- In 1998, he placed third at the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition (Junior Division).
- In 1999, he won third prize at the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition of Utrecht. He also won first prize in the China International Piano Competition.
- In 1999, he won first place at the Gina Bachauer Young Artists International Piano Competition.
In October 2000, Yundi represented China at the XIV International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. He was the first person to win the First Prize (gold medal) in 15 years. At 18 years old, Yundi was the youngest and first Chinese winner in the competition's history. He also received a special prize for the "Best Performance of a Polonaise."
Honors and special recognitions
- 2003: His album "Liszt" won the German Echo Klassik Solo Recording of the Year and China Gold Record Awards. The New York Times also named it a "Best CD of the Year."
- 2004: "Liszt" was nominated for an Edison Award for Instrumental Soloist.
- 2005: Yundi won "Best New Classical Artist" at XM Satellite Radio's First Annual XM Nation Music Awards.
- 2006: Yundi won the Nord/LB Artist Award.
- 2010: The Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage gave Yundi a Silver Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis for his contributions to music. The Polish government also gave him the world's first Chopin passport.
- 2015: At age 33, Yundi was a judge for the XVII International Chopin Piano Competition. This made him the youngest judge ever for the competition.
- 2019: Yundi received a Gold Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis from the Polish government for his contributions to Polish culture.
- 2022: Yundi was chosen for the Honorary Board of the Summa Cum Laude Festival.
Impact and influence
I'm inspiring a new generation who are hungry to learn music. I think that's my responsibility and it's my dream.
Yundi is a great example of how piano music has grown in China. He has helped classical music develop in China. Since 2008, Rolex has sponsored Yundi, helping him support music teaching in rural parts of China.
Yundi is a role model for many young musicians in China. He has inspired millions to learn piano. He has also given special classes at places like the Royal College of Music and Tsinghua University.
Yundi has also helped share Chinese traditional music around the world. He has recorded traditional Chinese folk songs and new pieces to promote Chinese keyboard music.
Discography
Yundi has released 16 studio albums. He has also appeared on five other albums and in three video recordings. These include his concerts from 2005 and 2010, and his documentary The Young Romantic: A Portrait of Yundi. His albums have been very successful and have appeared on Billboard charts, including the Top Classical Albums.
Personal interests
Yundi has a cat named Musigny. He enjoys listening to Verdi's music with red wine and drinking tea while listening to jazz. His role model is Chopin.
Food interests
"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 loves food from all over the world. He believes that food can connect to music styles. He especially likes crabs and is a good cook, particularly at making Sichuan cuisine like twice-cooked pork.
Helping others through charity
In 2001, Yundi gave part of the money from his first CD, "Yundi Li: Chopin," to United Nations Children's Fund. This helped children in poorer areas of China.
After the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, Yundi canceled his European concerts. He performed in a fundraising concert in Beijing to help rebuild schools and provide support for children affected by the earthquake. In November 2008, he led a charity concert at the Bird's Nest Stadium to support people with disabilities from the earthquake.
In 2011, Yundi said, "Charity is just like music which comes from deep inside my heart." He performed a charity piano concert in Beijing. During this event, he was named the Music Ambassador of the Chinese Red Cross Foundation.
In 2016, Yundi worked with the I DO Fund of China Charity Federation. He helped build the first music classroom and library for a school in Tibet, which is at a very high altitude. The music classroom was named after Yundi. He taught the children there to play the piano, hoping to help them discover music.
Images for kids
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Yundi's Monument at Shenzhen Arts School, celebrating his first-prize in the International Chopin Piano Competition
See also
In Spanish: Li Yundi para niños
