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First Person
Piano virtuoso Yundi Li has been in the spotlight since he was 18, and the Chopin specialist is
one of China’s most renowned classical musicians. Ahead of a concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum,
he tells Andrea Lo about the unconventional choice of venue and his thoughts on female fans.
I don’t think
classical music is
boring. I think law
is boring.
I suggest everyone study classical
music from a young age.
I was born in Chongqing. I come from a
family in education—my grandparents both
worked in the sector.
On tour, there is really no time to relax.
I do rehearsals, then perform. The only
thing I can do is sleep more.
I don’t think classical music is boring.
That’s just what people think it is. I think
law is boring.
You need to study classical music first—
and then you will understand it.
To become a pianist, it is best to
start learning from the ages of 4 or 5.
I started playing the piano at 7 years old.
It’s quite old to be starting, but I had
been learning the accordion for a few
years prior. I switched to the piano as
a challenge.
When I was 18, I won the [2000]
International Chopin Competition.
I decided that piano and music would
be my life, and began my career in music
after that.
If you ask any musician, talent and
practice are both important. Alongside
talent, you need to love music.
If you really love something, everything
becomes very smooth.
This concert is a very special one for me.
A classical musician normally only plays in a
concert hall, like the Cultural Centre. I chose
to play at the Hong Kong Coliseum because
I want more young people to be in touch
with classical music.
I want to let the next generation know and
understand what classical music is.
I think my lifestyle, my taste and everything
are fashionable. That is how I can relate to
young people. But I present music that is
historic and legendary. That is how I find a
connection with my fans, and how we find a
middle ground in understanding each other.
[Female fans] like me and pay attention to
my life, and of course, I really appreciate them.
It is because of [my fans] that my dreams
come true.
I think my career has progressed quite
well. I’m doing the things that I want.
Sometimes, you become disappointed
and you are a little bit unhappy—but that’s
normal. In life, you’re not always happy.
What’s important is how you can keep
going, and go in the direction that you want.
Hong Kong’s food is among the best
in the world. From noodles to dumplings
to pork—everything is so colorful.
I live in Beijing, but I hope to be able to
be here part of the year to feel this fantastic
city’s energy.
The most important lesson I’ve learned
is to do the best of your ability in everything
you do.
I love to perform, I love music and I
love the piano. That’s why I can keep
developing my talent and let it show.
I have 14 concerts coming up. It’s
a busy and tiring schedule. My mind is
excited and energized, but my body is
exhausted. I need a week to recharge
my batteries.
My goal now is to inspire young people,
especially in China.
China’s classical music scene is growing.
You can see that 15 million people are learning
the piano. In the future, there will be more and
more musicians coming to the classical music
stage. This is a good sign for our musical and
cultural development.
The most valuable thing in life is to be
yourself, do the things that you really want—
and not to worry about anything.
Yundi Li performs Beethoven’s
“Emperor” Piano Concerto No. 5 on
Dec 13, 8:15pm. Hong Kong Coliseum,
9 Cheong Wan Rd., Hung Hom.
$250-1,250 from www.urbtix.hk.
XKCD
Randall Munroe
58 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, deceMBER 5, 2014