Yundi Li

Yundi Li is a classical pianist. He is also popularly known by the Western iteration of his name, Yundi Li. Born in Chongqing, China, Li is most well known for being the youngest pianist to win the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition at the age of 18 in the year 2000. Li now resides in Hong Kong, where he continues to give concerts with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

Li has received top awards at various competitions. He won the Children's Piano Competition in Beijing in 1994.[3] In 1995, he was awarded first place at the Stravinksy International Youth Competition. In 1998, he won the 1998 South Missouri International Youth Piano Competition. The next year, he took Third Prize at the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition of Utrecht, as well as being a major winner in the China International Piano Competition. He also won first place at the Gina Bachauer Young Artists International Piano Competition.

In October 2000, at the urging of the Chinese Culture Ministry, Li participated in the 14th International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. He was the first participant to be awarded First Prize in 15 years. At 18 years of age, he was the youngest winnerand the first Chinesein the competition's history. Li was given a Polonaise award by the Chopin Society for his performance at the competition.

Soon after, Li sought out pianist Arie Vardi as an instructor, and therefore left his parents' home to live and study at a music school in Hannover, Germany ("Hochschule fuer Musik und Theater").

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