Li Yundi [Photo: thebeijingnews]

Young Chinese classical piano sensation Li Yundi, the "successor of romantic pianist masters," has released his new album, "Chopin, Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1." The album includes Frederic Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1, Li's signature piece that helped him win the prestigious International Chopin Competition in 2000 at 18, becoming the youngest-ever winner.

In addition to Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1, fans will also be able to enjoy Li's performance of Franz Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1.

Li will have a solo concert at the Century Theater in Beijing on Dec 3. He will also perform at more than 20 concerts in the US in February under the baton of master conductors Leonard Slatkin and Kurt Masur. What's more, he will perform works from the 20th century with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Seiji Ozawa.

Some foreigners say Chopin and Liszt are Chinese musicians' typical choices. Li refutes these claims, saying that as a perfectionist, he always chooses to perform his favorite pieces with passion. It takes time to get to know a composer, he said. One or two years is very common.

Regarding the two piano concerto on the new album, Li had planned to record them a long time ago, but he never felt the time was right until he cooperated with Gustavo Dudamel, a conductor from Israel. Under him, Li Yundi gained confidence. He prefers to have a high starting point.

Born in 1982, Li is anxious to promote classical music to his peers. Li says he will have more contact with young people by keeping the originality of classical music to get them interested. "Meanwhile, I am growing up too. I hope we can still grow together when we are 30, 40, 50 years old. Children are affected by what they have seen and heard," he muses.

1

2