Among many opening piano recitals beamed around the world by Medici in the first round of the Tchaikovsky Competition, George Li’s display of virtuosity was the most riveting for me. A synthesis of intellect, emotion, sensitivity and spontaneity hallmarked Li’s interpretation of Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Liszt masterworks. A replay of the opener offers its own best testimony to extraordinary artistry by a pianist seasoned well beyond his tender years. (He’s just 19).
By all accounts George is a musical messiah in the way I remember Murray Perahia way back in the 1960s. So it’s my hope that he’ll add another major triumph to his roster, wooing audiences to new heights joy and gratitude far and wide.
Go George, All the way to the Gold in Moscow!
REPLAY, George Li’s Recital, Round One:
http://tch15.medici.tv/en/performance/round-round-1-piano-2015-06-19-1300000300-great-ha
Flashback to my interview with George Li in 2012:
https://arioso7.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/my-interview-with-george-li-a-seasoned-pianist-at-16/
Arioso7's Blog (Shirley Kirsten) 
I agree Shirley, George was exceptional and I would be surprised if he does not go all the way to the Finals. I also thought that Nikita Abrosimov, Reed Tetzloff and Marina Yakhlakova had exceptional moments in their playing that moved me in different ways.
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So far I have enjoyed Tetzloff and Li the most.
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Yes, especially Tetzloff.. but I think George had it ALL…a panoply of emotions, amazing tasteful rubato where needed, a remarkable palette of colors…just a whole gestalt… and impeccable phrasing..
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Just finished listening to Dinara Klinton…her playing was pure poetry…. intensely musical. Very moving performance!
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I guess I was not as moved as everything sounded the same to me, unlike Li who had composer period related contrasts.
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Ok thinking objectively I can see your point. Yes Li did have much more composer period related contrasts. And Klinton did romanticize all throughout. Guess I am a romantic at heart! And she is Russian born, so that could explain it a bit.
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I was just listening to her 2011 appearance in XIV Tchaikovsky. She played the A minor Mozart–and I noticed she was at her best in the Chopin repertoire, and Russian.
I really enjoyed the aforementioned, except for the Mozart…In this Current XV Tchaik. I guess I didn’t feel the clarity of structured lines in Beethoven as Li had so well realized.
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I thought George did a great job on the Bach
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Totally agree!
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Interesting to hear the same piece played twice in this competition, i.e. La Campanella. After hearing todays rendering, and then going back to replay George’s performance I can attest to hearing a fine artist in the making. Absolutely no comparison. George Li stands alone!
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I have to agree with you. And while I liked Shishkin, he did not catch fire. He stayed on the safe side. There must be risk taking side by side with impeccable control to inspire. I’m writing about this right now.
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The stream also went dead for me for a bit, but returned just as they were making the announcements. Great news Li and Reed move to 2nd round!
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Yes, both very deserving. Go USA.. Li and Tetzloff!
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Stream went dead for me as well.. And all I heard were a few names trickling in at the end, but someone published the results at Piano World. Wonder about many of the other names on the Finals list.
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