Li Yundi takes on Beethoven

China's piano prince Li Yundi played to a full house at the National Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday night. Li, who is famous for rendering Chopin's music, made a foray into playing Beethoven this time. Fans were eager to hear how Li delivered the deeper and more grandiose Beethoven.

Li opened the concert with two Nocturnes of Chopin. He felt quite at home when rendering Chopin's Nocturne No.1 in B Flat Minor, and his Nocturne No.2 in E Flat.

In 2000, Li Yundi won the first prize at the International Chopin Piano Competition at the age of 18, to become the first Chinese and youngest contestant to win the prestigious competition. His rendering of Chopin is elegant and poetic, and he had been hailed as the most apt modern presenter of the musician.

Turning 30 this year, Li has branched out to take on the more profound Beethoven. He has released an album of Beethoven's music. And this concert is the live version of the album's tunes, three of Beethoven's most famous Sonatas, "Appasionata", "Pathetique" and "Moonlight".

Li's presentation of "Appassionata" turned out to be so technically impeccable, passionate and full of vigor, fans were overwhelmed by his performance.