What a great pianist!

I just went to a piano recital of Yundi Li in Strathrmore Music Center last night. I didn't notice there is a music center there before. It is located on 355 in MD, very closed to the belt way and 270. The concert hall is smaller that those in Kennedy Center, but it is of a good size for piano recital. The concert was phenomenal. Li is a great pianist. After he won the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in 2000, he is getting lots of attentions not only in China but around the world. I remember he was in a Nike commercial once. Yes, a pianist in a Nike commercial. Li looks much more handsome than he does in photos. Unfortunately, I forgot to take my camera. This is not just my opinion but from my fiancee and her lady friend. We all agreed that Li needs to hire a better photograhers. And he also needs a host. He didn't speak at all but played and smilied because he doesn't know much English. And he looks like an introvert. He does have a very good smile though. The whole concert was not very interactive. It would have been a better concert if there is a host who can introduce Li a little bit and what is he going to play. A pretty lady host is even better. However, he is so good at playing piano that we don't care much about anything else. He stunned the audiences with his skill.

Beside Li, Lang lang is another Chinese pianist who is well-known here in the United States. Lang did not won any big competition like Li did, but he is more famous in the US than Li because he came to the US in 1997. He speaks English. And he is an extrovert. As a result, more people know him here and the ticket price of his concert is more expensive thatn Li's.