Album

There is no question as to Yundi Li's technique. When this recording was made in 2001, Li was a mere 19 years old, but from the evidence on this disc, he was already a formidable technician. The extravagant technical difficulties of the repertoire—Chopin's Sonata No. 3, several of the etudes, and the Andante spianato et grande polonaise—are dispatched with skill and panache from the most delicate arabesques to the thunderous double octaves in contrary motion. Although there have been many other pianists who have played these works as well or better from a technical point of view, Li's performances stand up well in their company. But for all of his maturity as a technician, Li's interpretations are still those of a youth. The deeper meaning of the Sonata No. 3—its awe-inspiring harmonic structure and its formalization of fear and courage in the opening and closing movements—are wholly beyond Li. The transcendent elegance of the Andante spianato and the radiant joy of the grande polonaise are merely graceful and cheerful in Li's interpretations. And his three Nocturnes are not so much emotional, seductive, and beautiful as they are sentimental, playful, and pretty. With his amazing technique, Li may develop into an amazing pianist. But one hopes that he grows as an interpreter as well.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Sonata No.3 in B-, Op.58 Work 26:52 Yundi Li Piano
1	1.Allegro maestoso	9:14			$1.49
2	2.Scherzo: Molto vivace	2:57			$0.99
3	3.Largo	9:32			$1.49
4	4.Finale: Presto, ma non tanto	5:09			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise, Op.22 Work 14:28 Yundi Li Piano
5	1.Andante spianato	4:59			$0.99
6	2.Grande Polonaise	9:29			$1.49
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 12 Etudes, Op.10 Work 3:05 Yundi Li Piano
7	No.2: Allegro in A-	1:25			$0.49
8	No.5: Vivace in Gb ('Black Keys')	1:40			$0.49
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 12 Etudes, Op.25 Work Yundi Li Piano
9	No.11 in A- ('Winter Wind')	3:40			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Nocturnes, Op.9 (includes the famous 'Nocturne in Eb') Work 10:07 Yundi Li Piano
10	No.1 in Bb-	5:45			$0.99
11	No.2 in Eb	4:22			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Nocturnes, Op.15 Work Yundi Li Piano
12	No.2 in F#	3:33			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Fantaisie-impromptu in C#-, Op.66 Work Yundi Li Piano
13	Fantaisie-impromptu in C#-, Op.66	4:57			$0.99