Ying Li

I find C. Bechstein instruments have a wonderful singing quality that's very close to a singer's voice as well as a rich sonority.

YING LI was born in China and began playing the piano at the age of five. Nine years later, she went to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia with Jonathan Biss and Seymour Lipkin, where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She completed her studies in 2021 with a master’s degree at the Juilliard School in New York with Robert McDonald. In the same year, she won the Premio Internazionale Antonio Mormone (Milan) and was a laureate at the Young Concert Artists Auditions (New York).

Ying Li has performed with major orchestras (Philadelphia Orchestra, Accademia Teatro alla Scala, NWD Philharmonie, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Russische Kammerphilharmonie St. Petersburg) in prestigious concert venues (Teatro alla Scala, Verizon Hall/Kimmel Cultural Campus Philadelphia, Chicago Cultural Center, ACT Concert Hall Hamamatsu). As a chamber musician, she has performed at the Verbier Festival and the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival in Detroit.

photos © Camilla Borò/Soconcerti, C. Bechstein

Ying Li: Mozart & Bartók

Decca Italy

In her debut album, Ying Li showcases the ability to play with contrasts in sound. Her Mozart sonatas K 281 and K 333 are elegantly shaped and perfectly executed, and every cantabile is savored with fine lyricism. Rhythmically sharp and uncompromising, on the other hand, are her interpretations of the Suite op. 14 and the Sonata Sz. 80 by Bartók, two powerful and dramatic pieces. Her enjoyment of these works is evident, and the C. Bechstein concert grand D282 supports her perfectly in shaping the many timbres. A recording that shows the potential of this fabulous pianist and makes you want to hear more!

The album was recorded in March 2022 at the Ölbergkirche recording studio in Berlin for Decca Italy.