Artist
Yundi Li
Yundi Li (Chinese: 李云迪, pinyin: Lǐ Yúndí) (Chongqing, China, October 7, 1982), who sometimes limits his name in performances and recordings to Yundi, is a Chinese classical pianist. He is best known for being the youngest winner ever of the Internationaal Frederick Chopin Piano Concours.
His father, Li Chuan Li, and his mother, Zhang Xiaolu, both worked for the Sichuan Chongqing Steel and Iron Company. During his youth, he received piano lessons from Zhao Yi Dan. Li's debut in the United States took place in June 2003 at Carnegie Hall, as part of Steinway and Sons' 150th anniversary gala. A month later, he gave his first concert in the US; he performed Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1.
Li's recording with pieces by Liszt was released in August 2003 and received the title "Best CD of the Year" from The New York Times. His third recording, with Chopin's four Scherzi and three Impromptus, came out in late 2004.
Li has won major prizes in international competitions. He won the Beijing Children's Piano Competition in 1994. In 1995, he came first in the Internationaal Stravinsky Youth Competition. In 1998, he won the South Missouri International Youth Piano Competition. In 1999, he came third at the Internationaal Franz Liszt Piano Concours in Utrecht. In October 2000, Yundi Li participated in the 14th Internationaal Frederick Chopin Piano Concours in Warschau at the urging of the Chinese Ministry of Culture.
His father, Li Chuan Li, and his mother, Zhang Xiaolu, both worked for the Sichuan Chongqing Steel and Iron Company. During his youth, he received piano lessons from Zhao Yi Dan. Li's debut in the United States took place in June 2003 at Carnegie Hall, as part of Steinway and Sons' 150th anniversary gala. A month later, he gave his first concert in the US; he performed Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1.
Li's recording with pieces by Liszt was released in August 2003 and received the title "Best CD of the Year" from The New York Times. His third recording, with Chopin's four Scherzi and three Impromptus, came out in late 2004.
Li has won major prizes in international competitions. He won the Beijing Children's Piano Competition in 1994. In 1995, he came first in the Internationaal Stravinsky Youth Competition. In 1998, he won the South Missouri International Youth Piano Competition. In 1999, he came third at the Internationaal Franz Liszt Piano Concours in Utrecht. In October 2000, Yundi Li participated in the 14th Internationaal Frederick Chopin Piano Concours in Warschau at the urging of the Chinese Ministry of Culture.
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