Li Yundi Photo: Courtesy of Universal Music

In 2000, an 18-year-old Chinese pianist became the youngest person and the first Chinese to win first prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition. Chongqing-born piano genius, Li Yundi was suddenly thrust into the public spotlight.

Fifteen years later, Li is preparing to head back to Warsaw in October to participate in the competition and once again receive the title of "youngest"; not as a competitor, but as a member of the jury.

"It will be a very special experience for me to sit there and get a feel for how the competitors are performing. People's aesthetic ideals are always changing and I want to see how the younger generation of musicians understand and present Chopin," Li told the Global Times.

A special relationship

"I feel like I have a very special connection with Chopin, both in my career and in my life," Li told the Global Times on Wednesday, explaining that he sees 2015 as his personal "Year of Chopin." His newest album, which features him performing 26 preludes by Chopin, releases on Friday. While later that day, his will begin the first part of his Chopin-themed concert tour in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province.

"I've worked on this album and prepared for this tour for two years. They both commemorate the past 15 years of my life, and of course, they both salute my favorite: Chopin."

Over the past decade, Li has also performed works from other classic composers such as Franz Liszt and Rachmaninov. Going back to Chopin, Li explained that after all this time he still finds Chopin's works very challenging.

"They are very musical. They possess profound meaning and require a high level of skill. You need to pay a lot of attention to the timbre of the instrument. People might have different understanding of his works and we all want to present the one that is as close as possible to the Chopin in our hearts."

Feeling your way

Among Chopin's works, his 26 preludes are important and expressive pieces.

Chopin's 24 preludes op.28 present scenes such as storms and raindrops in a breeze that is slowly moving away.

"They are positive, though sometimes also presenting a gloomy side, it is mostly flowing, rhythmical and gives a feeling of youth," Li said.

He especially mentioned how the final prelude on his CD demonstrates the genius of Chopin. According to Li, he plans on playing this piece during any encores at his concerts.

"Many people start studying piano with the 24 preludes, so it is a great honor to play this repertoire again, now that I've deepened my feeling towards this composer," Li explained.

He pointed out that most Chopin music masters have recorded classic versions of these preludes or was able to put their own stamp on the music. For instance, he said that International Chopin Piano Competition first-prize-winner Martha Argerich was able to show off her strong personality whenever she performed Chopin, while Maurizio Pollini is famous for his pure and strict techniques he uses to perform. 

Li explained that he enjoys each of these masters' versions, and hopes to be able to present a version of Chopin that is all his own.

Receiving the invitation to act as a judge for the competition last year, Li explained that there are no set rules that judges use to determine who does the best. 

"People have their own different feel for Chopin and so perform in their own unique way. But we are able to feel whose music moves us the most. There is nothing wrong with presenting the music in your own way, you just have to make your music touching.

"Music is a very intuitive art for human beings... You don't need to think to much, you just need to feel it," said Li.

'Pianists are human beings'

Different from other classic musicians who keep their private life far from the media spotlight, Li will sometimes make an appearance like a pop idol. When he first started out, his quiet manner and attractive appearance brought him plenty of young female fans. Appearing at the concerts of popular pop singers also helped bring him closer to China's younger generation.

In September, he even appeared on an episode of Zhejiang TV reality show X-Space, during which he had to try and escape from a locked room with other celebrities.

"Pianists are also human beings. I don't only live in the past. While I spend most of my time practicing piano, I don't mind attending events where I can socialize and let people know who I really am," said Li.

Several times during our interview, Li compared music to food. When asked what type of cuisine best matched his new album he answered that Sichuan cuisine was the closest. 

"Sichuan dishes aren't just spicy. They seek to make dishes that have an abundance of color, smells and flavors. It is just like people's images of Chopin. Everyone has their own unique interpretation," said Li.