George Li
George Li Releases “Movements” on Warner Classics
Praised by the Washington Post for combining “staggering technical prowess, a sense of command and depth of expression,” pianist George Li possesses an effortless grace, poised authority, and brilliant virtuosity far beyond his years. In his new album Movements, he highlights both the structure and the dancing spirit of the 18 movements of Schumann’s ‘Davidsbündlertänze’ & ‘Arabeske in C major’, Ravel’s 8 ‘Valses nobles et sentimentales’ and three movements from Stravinsky’s score for the ballet Petruskha. The album is a Gramophone Editor’s Choice, praised for “thoughtfully shaped and characterful performances throughout a delightful showcase of his art and of this music.”
“There are intriguing and intoxicating elements in this dance program that captured me from the outset when crafting it,” says the Boston-born pianist. “I love the effects of color and harmony in these works, as well as the general feeling of an evolution, or perhaps a continuous battle, between the introverted and extroverted impulses … This program offers a different challenge – giving space for each musical moment to be its own distinct individual voice, while also still maintaining the narrative arc …”
“George Li’s diverse yet unified program could hardly be played with a more stunning mix of introspection and aplomb. At 28 he is already a pianist of formidable stature…Few performances have achieved a greater sense of Schumann’ ultra-romanticism, its soaring to the heights, its sinking into despondency, a kaleidoscope of shifting emotional state that finally led to the collapse of reason. Here, indeed, is confirmation of Schumann’s own tragically prophetic words, ‘sometimes I think I could sing myself to death.’ I found myself longing to hear Li in more Schumann, in further masterpieces, in Carnaval, the Bunte Blatter, Humoresque, etc. He is born for Schumann.”
The Art of Pianists