Chinese American pianist honored by New York City

Acclaimed Chinese American pianist and conductor Li Jian returned to Carnegie Hall in New York City on Tuesday evening, where he played Mozart, Debussy and Schubert. He was also honored for his significant contributions to classical music and global cultural exchange.

The concert, dubbed A Night of Cultural Splendor, was held in Zankel Hall and presented by the Gong Family Foundation and the US-China Cultural Foundation.

Elizabeth B. Wang, founder of the US-China Cultural Foundation, praised Li's talent ahead of the concert. Co-sponsor Tim Gong dubbed Li "one of the best pianists in the world" whose music is "very touching."

In recognition of his extraordinary artistry, Li was honored with the Global Cultural Excellence Award during the concert. He also received a letter of congratulations from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who said Li had "enriched the classical music sector for decades".

"I'm especially touched that Mayor Eric Adams made this very generous, friendly, gesture and gave me this recognition," Li said in an exclusive interview with China Daily. "It's going to stay with me for the rest of my life."

The famed pianist paid homage to his upbringing in China and his family for being a guiding light throughout his life and career.

"My parents are both musicians.… They always asked me to tell the truth, try to be open to myself and to other people to be friendly and to help others so that's stayed with me," said Li.

Although Li took to the stage solo, his talent soon filled the hall as if there was an entire orchestra.

Lukas Dekanovsky, an audience member from the Czech Republic, is in New York City doing an internship at the United Nations. He was enthralled by the performance.

"I loved how profound he was," Dekanovsky told China Daily. "I feel like he had a connection with the essence. It doesn't really sound like notes. It sounds like a feeling, although it is music. For me seeing how softly he plays the piano and uses the music is incredible. I don't think I've ever witnessed that before so honestly."

"Music is an international language. I know everyone says that, but it truly is," Li said. "I think I like Mozart the most because it's uplifting."

Born into a musical family in Shanghai, Li's journey in music started at five. His mother, Yu Lina, is an influential Chinese violinist. By the age of 16, he won the Grand Prize at the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition in Paris.

His career flourished at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he studied under the legendary Mieczyslaw Horszowski.

Andrew Hall, a member of the audience, who lives in Cold Spring, New York, told China Daily: "It is kind of mesmerizing to watch his hands work, you wonder 'how do his hands work with his brain?' …It was almost like he was doing Tai Chi with the piano."