CHRISTIAN LI RELEASES NEW ALBUM: TCHAIKOVSKY
LISTEN TO THE ALBUM HERE
21 FEBRUARY 2025 (TORONTO, ON) — Decca Classics is delighted to announce the release of Tchaikovsky, the new album from Australian-Chinese violinist Christian Li, out today.
At just 17 years old, Christian Li has already achieved remarkable milestones. He gained international acclaim as the youngest-ever winner of the Menuhin Competition in 2018, and the video of his debut single on Decca, Bazzini’s La ronde des Lutins, garnered millions of views online. Footage of him directing the ensemble barefoot whilst recording Winter from The Four Seasons went viral, showcasing incredible maturity beyond his years. Limelight has lauded his “astonishing technical control and virtuosic flair,” but it is his deep emotional connection to the music that truly sets him apart. Li’s debut album topped the UK Classical Charts in 2021, and following the success of his second album, Discovering Mendelssohn, his latest project—featuring Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto—marks a significant step in his artistic evolution.
The album centres on Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, a cornerstone of the Romantic violin repertoire known for its demands on stamina, technical virtuosity, and warm melodic lyricism. Christian recorded the concerto with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Vasily Petrenko. Their collaboration, recorded just one day after their first live performance together when Christian was just 15, imbues the music with vibrant freshness and immediacy.
Christian says, “I fell in love with Tchaikovsky's music when I was very young, particularly with his ballets. My fascination began after watching The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. When I was around 11 years old, my violin teacher gave me a book about Tchaikovsky, which captivated me with stories of his life and intricacies of his personality - sensitive, sentimental, conflicted, and a perfectionist. As I listened to and later played his works, I strived to understand and convey the delicate complexity of emotions he so beautifully expressed. Today it’s an absolute dream come true to present my third album featuring one of my favourite works: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Recording this piece with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under the masterful baton of Vasily Petrenko has been one of the most extraordinary experiences in my life. I’m also extremely happy to be sharing two fantastic transcriptions of Nocturne op. 19 no 4 and Valse Sentimentale along with a new arrangement of The Waltz of the Flowers which holds a special place in my heart - I love its graceful charm and hope it brings you the same joy, inspiring you to dance and spin along with its captivating melodies.”
Tchaikovsky composed his Violin Concerto in 1878 during a retreat in Clarens, Switzerland, following the collapse of his short-lived marriage. Inspired by violinist Iosef Kotek, a former student and close companion, he completed the work in just a month, channelling his renewed sense of joy and incorporating echoes of Russian folk music.
Christian’s album complements the concerto with selections inspired by its dance-like elements, including pieces from Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, and a new arrangement of Waltz of the Flowers. Other highlights include the poignant Valse sentimentale, the lively Valse-Scherzo, and the haunting Nocturne. Reflecting on the album’s closing piece, Christian says, “The Nocturne has the same depth as the Valse sentimentale. Its final, high-register note decays so beautifully—it’s very sad but incredibly moving.”
This album is Christian’s most ambitious project yet, showcasing his technical prowess and emotional maturity. He performs on the 1737 ex-Paulsen Guarneri del Gesù violin, generously loaned to him, and continues his studies with Dr. Robin Wilson at the Yehudi Menuhin School and receives mentorship from David Takeno.
Currently the Young Artist in Association with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, a title he has held since 2021, Christian will return to perform Korngold’s Violin Concerto with the orchestra during the 2024/25 season. Other upcoming engagements include European tour with Australian Youth Orchestra and David Robertson, highly anticipated return to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, debut with the Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria, and recitals in China.
Tour dates:
20 February 2025 – Sofia Philharmonic, Bulgaria Concert Hall – Korngold Violin Concerto
12 - 13 April 2025 – Recitals in mainland China with pianist Nicola Eimer
12 – 14 June 2025 – Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Hammer Hall – Korngold Violin Concerto
27 – 28 June 2025 – Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Opera House – Korngold Violin Concerto
18 – 26 July 2025 – European tour with Australian Youth Orchestra – Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Ravel Tzigane, Massenet Meditation from Thaïs
31 July 2025 – Australian Youth Orchestra, Sydney Opera House – Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
About Christian Li
Born in Melbourne in 2007, Christian Li first picked up a violin aged five. He captured international attention in 2018 when he became the youngest-ever winner of the Menuhin Competition, winning the joint Junior 1st Prize in Geneva where he play-conducted a movement of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Performing with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra, he also received the Audience Prize and the Composer Award.
Soon after, in 2020, Christian became the youngest artist to sign with Decca Classics. His debut album featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons accompanied by works for violin and piano by Bazzini, Kreisler, Massenet and Li Zilli was released in August 2021 gathering five-star reviews. BBC Music Magazine wrote: “He brings thrilling virtuosity and myriad colours to Vivaldi’s fast movements and an exquisitely silky cantabile sound to the aria-like slow movements”. Following this success, Christian’s second album Discovering Mendelssohn released in 2023 received a glowing review from Gramophone magazine.
In concerts, Christian made a series of acclaimed debuts including with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, Gavle Symphony, Aalborg Symphony, RTV Slovenian Radio Symphony and Macao Orchestra, as well as gave recitals in Taiwan, Canada, Israel, Norway and the UK.
Currently, Christian is the Young Artist in Association with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, a title he has held since 2021. He will return to perform Korngold Violin Concerto with the orchestra in 24/25 season. Other upcoming engagements include European tour with Australian Youth Orchestra and David Robertson, highly anticipated return to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, debut with the Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria, and recitals in China.
Christian performs on the 1737 ex-Paulsen Guarneri del Gesù violin, on loan from a generous benefactor and uses a bow by François Peccatte. He currently studies with Dr. Robin Wilson at the Yehudi Menuhin School and receives mentorship form David Takeno in London. In his free time, he enjoys reading, swimming and bike riding.