Pianist Yundi gears up for European tour

Following his triumph at the Spring Festival Gala, pianist Li Yundi is now preparing for his latest European concert tour. This week he has been in London, just one of the cities where he will be showcasing his new Beethoven programme in April. CCTV Correspondent Natalie Powell finds out what sort of appeal the pianist has in Europe.

Li Yundi, Chinese Pianist, said, "I think with an European audience, because music is from western and is a tradition, they know the music since they were young, but nowadays I think the young generation is growing and even from West or even from the East so I feel very confident so I believe they will enjoy."

The most acclaimed Chinese pianist of his generation is about to embark on a 15-day European tour. But can his popularity in China be replicated in Europe?

Gillian Moore, Head of Classical Music at London's SouthBank Centre believes it can.

Gillian Moore, Head of Classical Music, London Southbank Centre, said, "Yundi's recital in April is one of the highlight's of Southbank Centre's international piano series, where we get pianists from all around the world to come, sometimes they're small and intimate recitals, sometimes they're like this one -it's a great big recital in the Royal Festival Hall."

Chinese fans living in London are also looking forward to it.

"I'm just so excited because I can see him in person and get first had experience in the concert."

"To me it is flawless, precise and even perfect piano skills."

And it isn't just Chinese fans. His 2010 recital in London was so well received that the Royal Festival Hall is looking forward to welcoming him back. Confidently predicting that the April concert will be a sell-out.

Yundi shot to fame after winning the Fourteenth Chopin International Piano competition just aged 18, his latest concert will showcase some new repertoires.

Dr. Alexander Buhr, Exec. Producer, Yundi's Beethoven Sonatas, said, "A selection of three of Beethoven's most famous sonatas, the Moonlight, the Pathetique and the Appasoinata. Yundi chose these pieces and I think he did so very wisely because they perfectly fit him, his personally and his style, it's a very romantic programme for a Beethoven programme."

Li Yundi, Chinese Pianist, said, "I've very excited and I heard a lot of concerts are sold-out almost and many young people who join the concert and young generation and that's good news, and very exciting."

The pianist's European concert tour begins on March 18th, and 2013 is already shaping up to be a busy one, with Yundi already planning further recitals in China upon his return and even tours and master classes for universities.