YUNDI
Yundi Li (simplified Chinese: 李云迪; traditional Chinese: 李雲迪; pinyin: Lǐ Yúndí; born 7 October 1982), also mononymously known as Yundi (stylized as YUNDI), is a Chinese classical concert pianist. Yundi is considered one of the greatest contemporary interpreters of Frédéric Chopin and is also especially known for his interpretations of Franz Liszt and Sergei Prokofiev.
Yundi rose to fame for being the youngest pianist, at the age of eighteen, to win first prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000. In 2015, he also served as the competition's youngest-ever juror. In recognition to his contribution to Chopin pieces, the Polish government awarded Yundi with the world's first Chopin passport (Chopinowskie paszporty). Yundi is also the first Chinese recipient of both Silver (2010) and Gold (2019) Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis issued by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Polish government, in regards to his contribution to both music and Polish culture.
Yundi has promoted Chinese national music worldwide, as well as the development of classical music in China, both by his influence and philanthropy. In 2021, he was detained by Beijing police on allegations of soliciting prostitution and was subsequently removed from the Chinese Musicians’ Association. In 2022, a document released by the United States Department of Justice stated that derogatory information about him “may have been manufactured”. He resumed his performing career in 2023 with a comeback tour in Australia and has since returned to major international venues, including Carnegie Hall.
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