Double duty
Pianist Li Yundi to perform, conduct Warsaw Philharmonic in China
You may know Li Yundi as one of the leading Chinese pianists, but he is about to take on another role. The pianist will pick up the baton for the first time leading the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra for a five-city tour in China, which starts in Chongqing on Aug 29, followed by Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai through September.
The tour will see Li and the orchestra play two Chopin concertos: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 1 in E Minor and Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 2 in F Minor.
Li will give solo piano performances as well as conduct the orchestra.
“Of course, it’s challenging because I have never done it before,” says the 35-year-old.“I have to adjust my tempo while serving the two roles onstage. But the orchestra is very experienced and they soon understood my ideas.”
The Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, which was founded in 1901 by Polish conductor and violinist Emil Mlynarski, is one of Poland’s oldest and most prestigious orchestras. It has performed at the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition since the contest was first held in Warsaw in 1927.
In 2000, when Li, then 18, became the first Chinese and the youngest winner of the competition, he was propelled onto the international stage.
It was the first time that the pianist collaborated with the established Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.
At a recent news conference in Beijing, Li said working with the orchestra has been the process of realizing his dream, and he has been preparing to take the podium for over a year.
“The orchestra is very closely connected with the music of Chopin. Warsaw is the hometown of the composer. The orchestra has performed with the finalists of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition each time. They have also performed Chopin’s music with the most distinguished pianists in the world. All this has allowed the orchestra to develop its unique interpretations of the concertos,” says Li, who was born in Chongqing and started learning piano at the age of 4.
Wojciech Nowak, director and conductor of the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, met Li in 2000 during the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition and he was standing next to Li when he was announced the winner.
“From his performances during the competition, I knew he was going to be at the very top. Since then we had the pleasure to work with him numerous times when he played as the soloist with our orchestra or gave solo recitals at our concert hall. I always admired his playing and interpretations,” says Nowak.
Last year, Li celebrated his 34th birthday in Warsaw and performed Chopin’s concertos with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra.
The conductor led the orchestra to play Happy Birthday for the pianist at the end of the recital, which surprised Li.
On Friday, the pianist played with the orchestra again during the 13th International Music Festival — Chopin and His Europe, an annual music festival held in Warsaw since 2005.
For the orchestra’s upcoming China tour, Nowak says that it will be the first time the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra is performing Chopin concertos with the soloist leading the orchestra.
“We discussed this idea for a long time and in June the rehearsals started. We then recorded the concertos with Yundi, as the soloist and conductor. He had great support from all members of the orchestra. I hope the public in China will have the chance to hear and enjoy his interpretations of the concertos with our orchestra,” says Nowak.
Wu Jiatong, the CEO of Wu Promotion, one of China’s first private touring companies and promoters, who organized Li’s tour, says: “I’ve known Li Yundi for many years and this tour, which sees him as pianist and conductor, will be a landmark in his career.”
Besides winning the prestigious award, Li made his debut in the United States in 2003 at Carnegie Hall, where he performed Chopin’s Piano Concerto No 1.
In April 2016, he gave an allChopin recital at the Royal Festival Hall in London with four ballades and 24 preludes.
He also released albums of the composer’s music, including Chopin: Preludes in 2015 and Chopin: Ballades in 2016.
Li is considered one of the best interpreters of Chopin’s music, as his playing is poetic and lyrical.
In 2015, he was one of the jurors of the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition.
“Chopin’s music is full of imagination, hope and love. My interpretations of his music have been different along the way. By conducting and playing the piano at the same time in a recital, I am able to deliver my understanding of the composer’s music to the full extent,” says Li.
The pianist also notes that his collaborations with renowned conductors enabled him to learn the skills required.
For example, Li performed with conductor Seiji Ozawa on his debut with Berlin Philharmonic in 2008.
“The conductor spent quite a long time working on the program and communicating with the orchestra. His attitude about being loyal to the composers really inspired me,” Li says.
“I want to present authentic Chopin.”
By conducting and playing the piano at the same time in a recital, I am able to deliver my understanding of the composer’s music to the full extent.” Li Yundi, pianist
Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn