Search - Yundi :: Chopin Preludes

Fifteen years after his historic first prize at the Chopin Competition in 2000, YUNDI returns to the repertoire in which he first came to public and critical acclaim, and which has continued to inspire some of his most dazzling performances. For his latest album, his first Chopin studio recording since 2010, he records the complete Chopin Preludes (to be released 11th September). The recording is the first element of Yundi s Chopin Project which continues with a recording of the two piano concertos next year, and involves substantial touring in Europe, the Far East and in China under the title The Legend of Chopin.

With his forensic, lyrical poeticism underpinned by a phenomenal technique, Yundi has become one of the most admired performers of Chopin s piano music in recent years. His winning the fourteenth Chopin Competition was a historic occasion, for not only was he the first Chinese performer to do so, he was also (at eighteen) the youngest in the history of the event, and the first winner in fifteen years to be granted first prize. His star in the core classical repertoire but particularly in association with the repertoire of the great Polish master - has continued to shine ever more brilliantly since then. This year Yundi accepts the great honour of appearing on the jury of the Chopin Competition, making him the youngest jury member in the competition s history, alongside other luminaries of the keyboard world including Martha Argerich, Dmitri Alexeev and Garrick Ohlsson.

In recognition of his particular affinity with Poland s national composer, Yundi was presented with a Gold Medal for Merit to Culture by the Polish government in 2010.

For his return to the music of Chopin, Yundi has chosen to record the complete preludes. Alongside the cornucopian variety of the 24 short works in every major and minor key from Opus 28, the recital includes the haunting Op 45, and the brilliant No. 26. The music challenges every aspect of Yundi s musicality, from his astonishing dexterity to his patrician sense of simplicity.

Yundi was born in Chongqing, in the province of Sichuan, in 1982. After winning several prizes as a child for his accordion playing, he switched to the piano at seven, and subsequently trained at the Shenzhen Arts School. He later studied with the acclaimed Israeli pianist Arie Vardi at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover.

In addition to drawing adjectival superlatives from professional critics for his playing, and earning the gratitude of the Polish government, Yundi has developed an unparalleled following amongst his fans. His profile in the People s Republic of China is comparable to that of a major rock star, and his concerts are regularly mobbed. He has played to an audience of one billion on television, and his Weibo (Chinese Twitter) account has over 17 million followers.