Pianist Li Yundi adds luster to hometown

Young award-winning Chinese pianist Li Yundi has been designated an ambassador for Germany's three-year promotional campaign and will give a performance this month in his hometown Chongqing.

Starting off last year in Nanjing, the initiative spans six Chinese cities to present a multifaceted image of Germany and promote mutual understanding between the two countries.

"I feel honored to be the image ambassador," Li says.

"My study and work experience in Germany made me realize that the pursuit of inspiration and innovation has deep roots in German life, while being Chinese, I'm significantly influenced by the active imagination and creativity of Chinese people.

"Both are the inspiration and creative source of my compositions and performances," he notes.

"As China and Germany join hands and move ahead together, I hope to make my own contributions to promote friendship between the two peoples."

Born in Chongqing in 1982, Li won first prize at the International Chopin Competition in 2000. He is the youngest winner in the history of the prestigious award.

In April 2001, he signed with Deutsche Grammophon (DG), a global record label headquartered in Germany to become the first Chinese pianist to release a classical with DG.

Li began to study at a German theater and music institute and learn from German pianist Arie Vardi in the same year.

After playing with the Berlin Philharmonic he released a new album in 2007.

The young pianist has traveled and played extensively, including in London, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, Moscow, New York, Toronto, Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore, where he won the hearts of audiences with his brilliant performances.

Li has also become a role model among the younger generation in his homeland. He was named a guest professor with the musical institute of the Capital Normal University in 2004.

With a multicultural background, the talented pianist is expected to add luster to the wide-ranging German campaign, organizers say.

Li is expected to appear on the stage this month during the Chongqing leg of the German campaign to give a performance before his hometown audience.

(China Daily 05/09/2008 page18)