Pianist Yundi returns to Chopin – the composer he is most closely associated with. This album will feature Chopin’s Complete Preludes, a collection of beloved works for solo piano. The release coincides with the 15th anniversary of Yundi’s legendary victory at the International Warsaw Chopin Competition in 2000. At 18 he was the youngest and first-ever Chinese winner and it was the first time in 15 years that a ‘First Prize’ had been awarded.
Yundi Li’s 2015 release of Chopin’s Préludes on Deutsche Grammophon launches his Chopin Project, which consists of recordings and performances devoted to the works of the Polish master. It might seem that Yundi’s career has been dominated by Chopin’s music since he won the first prize at the International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in 2000, and he has periodically released recordings of Chopin’s music, including the Nocturnes, Scherzi, Impromptus, and other pieces. With the 24 Préludes, Op. 28, the Prélude in C sharp minor, Op. 45, and the Prélude in A flat major, Op. Posth., Yundi keeps his expressions close to the vest and treats the music with calm introspection, in a manner Chopin likely would have approved, avoiding excessive displays of technique and rejecting sentimentality. For that reason, this album might seem a little subdued, cool, and even clinical by most pianists’ standards, and somewhat lacking in the showmanship that is usually expected of a young virtuoso. But it seems more likely a sign of Yundi’s growth and seriousness that he plays with restraint and control when he is expected to show off, and puts Chopin’s music well above the hype. Highly recommended. –AllMusic Review by Blair Sanderson
Tracklist:
Frédéric Chopin (1810 – 1849)
24 Préludes, Op.28
1. 1. in C Major 00:31
2. 2. in A Minor 02:03
3. 3. in G Major 00:52
4. 4. in E Minor 01:43
5. 5. in D Major 00:29
6. 6. in B Minor 01:41
7. 7. in A Major 00:45
8. 8. in F Sharp Minor 01:30
9. 9. in E Major 01:35
10. 10. in C Sharp Minor 00:24
11. 11. in B Major 00:33
12. 12. in G Sharp Minor 01:02
13. 13. in F Sharp Major 02:41
14. 14. in E Flat Minor 00:27
15. 15. in D Flat Major (Raindrop) 04:46
16. 16. in B Flat Minor 01:01
17. 17. in A Flat Major 02:33
18. 18. in F Minor 00:50
19. 19. in E Flat Major 01:08
20. 20. in C Minor 01:46
21. 21. in B Flat Major 01:36
22. 22. in G Minor 00:38
23. 23. in F Major 00:47
24. 24. in D Minor 02:19
Yundi Li’s 2015 release of Chopin’s Préludes on Deutsche Grammophon launches his Chopin Project, which consists of recordings and performances devoted to the works of the Polish master. It might seem that Yundi’s career has been dominated by Chopin’s music since he won the first prize at the International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in 2000, and he has periodically released recordings of Chopin’s music, including the Nocturnes, Scherzi, Impromptus, and other pieces. With the 24 Préludes, Op. 28, the Prélude in C sharp minor, Op. 45, and the Prélude in A flat major, Op. Posth., Yundi keeps his expressions close to the vest and treats the music with calm introspection, in a manner Chopin likely would have approved, avoiding excessive displays of technique and rejecting sentimentality. For that reason, this album might seem a little subdued, cool, and even clinical by most pianists’ standards, and somewhat lacking in the showmanship that is usually expected of a young virtuoso. But it seems more likely a sign of Yundi’s growth and seriousness that he plays with restraint and control when he is expected to show off, and puts Chopin’s music well above the hype. Highly recommended. –AllMusic Review by Blair Sanderson
Tracklist:
Frédéric Chopin (1810 – 1849)
24 Préludes, Op.28
1. 1. in C Major 00:31
2. 2. in A Minor 02:03
3. 3. in G Major 00:52
4. 4. in E Minor 01:43
5. 5. in D Major 00:29
6. 6. in B Minor 01:41
7. 7. in A Major 00:45
8. 8. in F Sharp Minor 01:30
9. 9. in E Major 01:35
10. 10. in C Sharp Minor 00:24
11. 11. in B Major 00:33
12. 12. in G Sharp Minor 01:02
13. 13. in F Sharp Major 02:41
14. 14. in E Flat Minor 00:27
15. 15. in D Flat Major (Raindrop) 04:46
16. 16. in B Flat Minor 01:01
17. 17. in A Flat Major 02:33
18. 18. in F Minor 00:50
19. 19. in E Flat Major 01:08
20. 20. in C Minor 01:46
21. 21. in B Flat Major 01:36
22. 22. in G Minor 00:38
23. 23. in F Major 00:47
24. 24. in D Minor 02:19
