Chopin and changing

During the ongoing tour, Li is playing pieces by three musicians, Shubert, Rachmaninov and Chopin that, according to the musician, "represent different music styles and eras".

Since he started studying the piano, Chopin has always been one of Li's favorite composers.

In 2000, at the age of 18, Li became the first Chinese-and the youngest-winner of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, through which he was propelled into the international spotlight.

"When I was a child, I was interested in Chopin's music because it is mysterious. Now, while growing up, I have discovered different colors of his music, especially the composer's patriotism about Poland," Li says. "Though I have played Chopin's music for years, I still want to bring out something different and to deliver my understanding of the composer's music to the full extent."

Li was awarded the Gold Medal for Merit to Culture-Gloria Artis, by the Polish government in Beijing on Oct 10. The medal, instituted in 2005, is a Polish departmental decoration in the arts awarded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland. Li was awarded the silver medal of the same award nine years ago.