CHRISTIAN LI
VIOLINYoung Artist in Association with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
CHRISTIAN LI
VIOLIN
Young Artist in Association with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
ABOUT
Soon after, in 2020, Christian became the youngest artist to sign with Decca Classics. His debut album featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons accompanied by works for violin and piano by Bazzini, Kreisler, Massenet and Li Zilli was released in August 2021 gathering five-star reviews. BBC Music Magazine wrote: “He brings thrilling virtuosity and myriad colours to Vivaldi’s fast movements and an exquisitely silky cantabile sound to the aria-like slow movements”.
In concerts, Christian made a series of acclaimed debuts including with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Oslo Philharmonic, and Gavle Symphony, as well as gave recitals in Israel, Norway and the UK.
Currently Christian is the Young Artist in Association with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a period of three years during which he performs a range of concertos, chamber music and recitals. In 23/24 season he is returning to Melbourne Symphony twice: in September 2023 to perform Mozart Violin Concerto no 3 and in July 2024 with Paganini Violin Concerto no 1. In current season Christian is also making orchestral debuts with RTV Slovenian Radio Symphony, Aalborg Symphony, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Macao Orchestra, all performing Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, and returns to Oslo Philharmonic orchestra to play/direct Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. He will also give recitals in Taipei and Kaoshiung, Taiwan, with pianist Nicola Eimer, and at the Vancouver Recital Society with Rohan de Silva.
Christian performs on the 1737 ex-Paulsen Guarneri del Gesù violin, on loan from a generous benefactor and uses a bow by François Peccatte. He currently studies with David Takeno in London and was previously taught by Dr. Robin Wilson, Head of Violin at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne. Christian enjoys reading, swimming and bike riding in his free time.
RECENT PRAISE
GRAMOPHONE
Mark Pullinger
There’s a strong rhythmic pulse…, ornamentation is tasteful and his intonation on his 1737 Guarneri is excellent. … The outer movements of Winter are particularly effective, with a nice sense of sul ponticello precariousness on the ice in the finale. …Bazzini’s La ronde des lutins is wonderfully skittish and cheeky, and there’s a stylish Tambourin chinois that would surely have delighted Kreisler himself. There’s much to enjoy here.
CLASSIC MELBOURNE
Julie McErlain
Most impressive were Li’s sweet tone and pitch on the highest of notes, his mastery of tonal contrast across low, medium and highest melodic settings, his superb quality of sound, the cleanest of embellishments and faultless performance from memory.
ARTS CITY LIVERPOOL
Li, who only turns 16 at the end of the month, plays with a maturity which belies his years and has already developed a wonderful layered tone as well as startingly good technique.
Li has a captivating, sweet singing tone with burnished lower registers which he deployed to great effect.
BACHTRACK
LEIGHTON JONES
Li’s stature may be slight but his musical presence was enormous.
The staggering technical skill of this young person is remarkable.
THE STRAD
JULIAN HAYLOCK
Christian Li combines technical savvy and interpretative insight to a remarkable degree in one so young. Violin prodigies often struggle to find their own personal voice, yet blessed with a winning combination of the 1737 ‘Paulsen’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ and a François Peccatte bow, Li already produces a highly distinctive tonal fusion of beguiling warmth and clarity.
LIMELIGHT
REBECCA FRANKS
The purity of Li’s tuning, the warmth of his sound and his cantabile lines characterise his playing throughout.
NEWS
Christian Li Debuts with the Macao Orchestra
Violinist Christian Li makes his debut with the Macao Orchestra under the baton of Lio Kuokman on Saturday 13 April 2024 at Macao’s Cultural Centre. Li will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, with the programme also featuring Stacy Garrop’s Thunderwalker and Glazunov’s The Seasons. More information and tickets are available here. Christian captured international
Christian Li Makes Three European Debuts with Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto 3 – 19 October
Violinist Christian Li continues his 2023/24 season performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto for three much-anticipated European debuts. Li, of whom Limelight writes, “is undoubtedly one of the talents of his generation,” noting his “astonishing technical control and virtuosic flair” will perform with RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and conductor Rossen Milanov on
Christian Li Announces New Album ‘Discovering Mendelssohn’
Having topped the UK Classical Charts with his debut album in 2021 (with which he became the youngest artist ever to record Vivaldi’s Four Seasons) violinist Christian Li announces his second album, Discovering Mendelssohn on Decca Classics, set to release on 7 July 2023. First Single On Wings of Song from 6 Songs op. 34 by
Christian Li Makes His Oslo Philharmonic Debut
This Sunday (21 August), violinist Christian Li and conductor Mihhail Gerts will make their Oslo Philharmonic debut at the orchestra’s annual open air concert at the Palace Park. Christian Li will play Saint Saens’ Introduction and Rondo capriccioso and Ole Bull’s Herdgirl’s Sunday. The concert will be televised live via NRK TV and broadcasted on NRK Radio. More information can
Christian Li Makes New Zealand Debut with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra – 21 April 2022
Violinist Christian Li makes his New Zealand debut with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra on Thursday 21 April at Auckland Town Hall. He will perform Saint-Saens’ Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso and Ravel’s Tzigane. The full programme also includes Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande: Suite, Mussorgsky’s Night on the Bare Mountain and Borodin’s Symphony No.2. Vincent Hardaker conducts. More information and tickets can
CONTACT
Agnieszka Mikus
GENERAL MANAGER
+44 (0)7496 647 703
EMAIL
ROMANA JAROFF
NORTH AMERICAN RECITALS BOOKING
O: +1 212 994 3518
C: +1 646 228 7690
EMAIL
JENNIFER SPENCER-MCDAID
ASSISTANT ARTIST MANAGER
+44 (0) 7881940326
EMAIL