Pianist Yundi gets closer to fans, Chopin
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
You can’t get any more intimate than this.
Yundi, formerly known as Yundi Li, winner of the 14th Frederic Chopin Piano Competition, has decided to go on a first name basis with fans. ``I like to hear people call me Yundi, because that way I feel closer to them. I will always represent the Li family. I just want to be closer to my fans. My families, friends all call me Yundi,’’ the 27-year-old told The Korea Times in a recent email interview.
Korean fans will be able to approach the Chinese pianist at an even closer range at a recital in November, featuring his signature repertoire of Chopin.
``I think Chopin is the closest composer for me. He has an emotional heart, his music is very touching; he is a hero and a friend to me,’’ he said. When he first heard Chopin at age 9, he listened to recordings every night before going to sleep. ``I think he is the best composer for piano, and he focused his whole life on just composing for piano. He is a poet of the piano.’’
Yundi has several Chopin albums under his belt, but he offers something more up close and personal through a collection of complete nocturnes under the EMI label. ``I believe now I play musically and emotionally even closer to Chopin.’’
Chopin may have served as lullabies for Yundi as a child, but this new album is more than just ``a little night music.’’ He chose the nocturnes for the bicentennial of the composer’s birth this year, because, first of all, he really loves them, and second, they musically represent Chopin’s life path.
``Chopin’s complete nocturnes show one of the most important characters of Chopin’s music. I think his music is like a painting, the most poetic painting,’’ said the artist. Indeed Yundi brings a poetically spare yet emotionally rich interpretation of the nocturnes, which are made complete with meditative silences between the notes. Each of the 21 tracks showcases a different shade of the pianist’s signature crystalline tones and radiant palette, and the album proves to be a fine addition for collectors amid the influx of Chopin recordings this year.
``You have lots of chances to try different colors and styles of different pieces. You can try many times, but in life you only get one chance. Making the album was very challenging for me, but it’s a great way to communicate with people who enjoy listening to the recording,’’ he recalled the project.
To prepare for the recording he studied the maestro’s biography and relate books as usual. ``I also went to a beautiful little church in Zurich to record live, just me and Jesus in the room. That made me feel like I was in heaven. The environment and acoustics gave me a lot of inspiration for this recording,’’ he said, about working with Grammy Award-winning producer Christopher Alder in Switzerland.
In addition to the recording, Yundi appeared among other world-class pianists to take part in the Polish composer’s big birthday party on March 1 in Warsaw.
``It was wonderful; I have to thank Poland for inviting me to perform on such a historical day and important event. The hall was big but beautiful, the mood and settings are perfect for the nocturnes. It felt great to play in front of Polish people again, and an old man came up to me and told me that he had been waiting for me for 10 years.’’
Chopin catapulted Yundi to international stardom, as he became the first winner in 15 years of the composer’s namesake competition. For Yundi hi works are not just a phase or marketing tactic to capitalize on the anniversary.
``There are many great composers and people I look up to, but at the moment I just want to focus on Chopin and his music. If I had to make another album I think I would still go for Chopin, simply because he is a hero to me,’’ he said. ``I think I will play a lot of other composers in the near future as long as my piano lifetime goes, but Chopin is my favorite, and right now I am really feeling it.’’
When asked if he felt any changes in his approach to Chopin he said he wasn’t sure.
``I don’t think about the changes, I just play with what’s on my mind and heart. Yes, now I do feel I am even more comfortable with Chopin’s music. Every year represents a new start for me. I need to give myself time; time to experience life and to practice,’’ he said.
His all-Chopin recital here will take place on Nov. 1 at Seoul Arts Center. The program will feature Nocturnes Op. 9 No.1, Op. 9 No. 2, Op. 15 No. 2, Op. 27 No. 2 and Op. 48 No. 1, as well as several mazurkas. It will end with Yundi’s personal favorite piece ``Heroic’’ Polonaise Op. 53.
Tickets cost from 40,000 to 100,000 won. Call (02) 318-4304.