Li Yundi at 30 'ready' for Beethoven
Source: Xinhua |
March 17, 2013, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE pianist Li Yundi is to start his European tour this spring. Although he plays around the world every year, this time the tour is special to him.
"It is the first time I will play Beethoven on a European tour," he told Xinhua. "I have never played his music in European concert halls for the public."
The tour begins tomorrow (March 18) in G?ppingen, Germany, and ends on May 14 Berlin. Stops include Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, London, Liverpool, Moscow, Palermo, Strasbourg, among other cities.
He spoke to Xinhua in London, where he was preparing to depart.
"The music of Beethoven is philosophical, with dramatic effects," he said. "I am 30 now, mature enough to understand and interpret Beethoven's works."
Born in China's southwestern Chongqing Municipality, Li was the youngest pianist to win the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in 2000, at the age of 18.
Li fell in love with music when he was very young. "My grandmother told me that I liked to listen to the radio as a kid," he said.
Few people know that the first musical instrument Li played was accordion. He shifted to piano when he was seven.
"Many famous musicians left masterpieces for piano, like Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, and others," he said. "Judging from the number of masterpieces, piano was obviously the king of musical instruments," he said.
Admittedly piano has its drawbacks. "Its sound is not long and lasting like the violin, but musicians can make up for this with their techniques."
Li was the youngest pianist to win the first prize in the Chopin competition and the first gold-medal winner in 15 years - previously a top medal had not been awarded, only silver.
He could go on and on about Chopin. "He is the only composer whose works were all made for piano," he said. "He is a musical poet, a patriot whose ideas bore resemblance to traditional Chinese culture."
He describes Chopin's music as "delicate and perfect, always making people think."
"Chinese culture, with its poetry and literature, has a natural affinity with Chopin and helps people understand him better," Li said.
According to Li, Chopin was very young when he started composing, roughly the same age as Li when the Chinese pianist became famous.
Twelve years later, Li is 30, the age of "standing up firmly and independently," as Confucius said.
"A musician's performances are affected by his life experience. It is a process," he said.
Now Li believes himself ready to interpret Beethoven. In his new album, he plays the "Moonlight Sonata," "Pathetique" and "Appassionata."
"These are very romantic works, symbolizing the composer's transformation," Li added.
Li stages 70 to 80 performances a year and has been touring for six or seven years. Every day he practices for four hours.
In his spare time he likes physical exercise and drinking tea.
"I don't go out much," he said. "I perform and talk too much for work, so I just want to enjoy some tranquility at home."
Being an idol for many young musicians is a big responsibility, Li said.
"There are 4 million children learning piano in China. I want to do something to inspire them to realize their dreams."
He said he wanted to tell parents that learning the piano is a great pleasure.
"Whatever they do in the future, they can have the piano as a confidant," he said. "When they feel unhappy, they can play the piano and be grateful to have such a good companion."
"It is the first time I will play Beethoven on a European tour," he told Xinhua. "I have never played his music in European concert halls for the public."
The tour begins tomorrow (March 18) in G?ppingen, Germany, and ends on May 14 Berlin. Stops include Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, London, Liverpool, Moscow, Palermo, Strasbourg, among other cities.
He spoke to Xinhua in London, where he was preparing to depart.
"The music of Beethoven is philosophical, with dramatic effects," he said. "I am 30 now, mature enough to understand and interpret Beethoven's works."
Born in China's southwestern Chongqing Municipality, Li was the youngest pianist to win the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition in 2000, at the age of 18.
Li fell in love with music when he was very young. "My grandmother told me that I liked to listen to the radio as a kid," he said.
Few people know that the first musical instrument Li played was accordion. He shifted to piano when he was seven.
"Many famous musicians left masterpieces for piano, like Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, and others," he said. "Judging from the number of masterpieces, piano was obviously the king of musical instruments," he said.
Admittedly piano has its drawbacks. "Its sound is not long and lasting like the violin, but musicians can make up for this with their techniques."
Li was the youngest pianist to win the first prize in the Chopin competition and the first gold-medal winner in 15 years - previously a top medal had not been awarded, only silver.
He could go on and on about Chopin. "He is the only composer whose works were all made for piano," he said. "He is a musical poet, a patriot whose ideas bore resemblance to traditional Chinese culture."
He describes Chopin's music as "delicate and perfect, always making people think."
"Chinese culture, with its poetry and literature, has a natural affinity with Chopin and helps people understand him better," Li said.
According to Li, Chopin was very young when he started composing, roughly the same age as Li when the Chinese pianist became famous.
Twelve years later, Li is 30, the age of "standing up firmly and independently," as Confucius said.
"A musician's performances are affected by his life experience. It is a process," he said.
Now Li believes himself ready to interpret Beethoven. In his new album, he plays the "Moonlight Sonata," "Pathetique" and "Appassionata."
"These are very romantic works, symbolizing the composer's transformation," Li added.
Li stages 70 to 80 performances a year and has been touring for six or seven years. Every day he practices for four hours.
In his spare time he likes physical exercise and drinking tea.
"I don't go out much," he said. "I perform and talk too much for work, so I just want to enjoy some tranquility at home."
Being an idol for many young musicians is a big responsibility, Li said.
"There are 4 million children learning piano in China. I want to do something to inspire them to realize their dreams."
He said he wanted to tell parents that learning the piano is a great pleasure.
"Whatever they do in the future, they can have the piano as a confidant," he said. "When they feel unhappy, they can play the piano and be grateful to have such a good companion."
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