Title - 'Chopin Preludes'
Artist - Yundi
For those not in the classical know, Li Yundi is a Chinese classical pianist. He is also popularly known as Yundi and formerly Yundi Li. Born in Chongqing, Li is most well known for being the youngest pianist to win the International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition, in 2000, at the age of 18.
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 has recorded the complete Chopin Preludes.
Indeed, 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.
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.
Listening to the entire album, and repeating familiar sections of each track, there is very little here (if any) to show any insights into Chopin interpretation. Certainly, and without question, Yundi has superb finger control. His trills are clear, (well recorded too) left hand control to right hand balance is awesome (to be fair) and not a single mis-played note to be heard. This recording is perfect. Simply, breathtakingly perfect.
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