George Li awarded Silver Medal in Piano at XV International Tchaikovsky Competition
Harvard/NEC Program Participant Triumphs and Wins Second Place
The International Tchaikovsky Competition jury announced today that NEC student, pianist George Li has placed second at this year’s competition. This year's piano jury split both second and third prizes, with silver medals going to Li as well as to Geniušas Lucas. One of the most highly revered music contests in the international community and a landmark symbol of national culture in Russia, the Tchaikovsky Competition is held every four years in Moscow and St. Petersburg. First held in 1958, the 2015 Competition is celebrating its 15th occurrence and also the 175th anniversary of Tchaikovsky’s birth.
Only 19 years old, Li is considered one of the world’s most talented and creative young pianists, winning piano competitions since the age of six. He is an alumnus of NEC's Preparatory School program, during which he performed on "From the Top" (at age 10 in 2006) and at outgoing NEC President Tony Woodcock's Installation Ceremony (at age 11 in 2007). In addition, he toured with NEC's Youth Philharmonic Orchestra as soloist in Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto in Vienna, Prague, and Amsterdam in 2011. Li’s Carnegie Hall debut was at the age of 11, and in 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Gilmore Young Artist Award. At the age of 15, he performed in the White House Rose Garden at a State dinner for President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband.
Currently in the Harvard and NEC dual degree program, Li’s astonishing technique, distinctive tonal quality, and exceptional musicality have earned him consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audience response worldwide for his solo recitals, orchestral collaborations, and chamber music performances. Li studies at NEC with Russell Sherman and Wha Kyung Byun.
New England Conservatory’s Interim President Tom Novak expressed how he felt about Li’s career and recent silver medal win:
“I have thoroughly enjoyed watching George’s growth from the time that he was in our Preparatory School to starting in the Harvard/NEC program,” said Novak. “This is one of many amazing achievements for him, and I’m enormously proud!” he said.
World-renowned pianist and NEC piano department chair Bruce Brubaker shed some light on Li’s playing and his award.
“I'm thrilled with George Li's performances in Moscow! (I heard most of it online),” said Brubaker. “He's playing in a way that's bold, and poetic, and emotionally compelling. Bravo George!"
At the previous edition of the International Tchaikovsky Competition, in 2011, three prizes were claimed by NEC musicians: first prize in cello, Narek Hakhnazaryan '11 A.D.; third prize in violin, JeHye Lee '08 M.M., '10 G.D.; fourth prize in violin, Nigel Armstrong '07 Prep. More on this.
Find more about the Harvard/NEC dual degree program.
Find more about the NEC Preparatory School.
George Li
In addition to winning the Grand Prix Animato Piano Competition (with the Schumann Prize, the Brahms Prize, and the Audience Prize) in December 2014, George won third prize in the 2015 U.S. Chopin Competition, and second prize in the 2014 Vendome Prize. In 2012, George received the prestigious Gilmore Young Artist Award, becoming its youngest recipient.
With his exceptional musical gifts being recognized by Alfred Brendel, Dimitri Bashkirov, and Menahem Pressler, George was the winner of the Tabor Foundation Piano Award at the 2012 Verbier Academy. In 2010, George won first prize in the prestigious Young Concert Artists International audition and since that time has been under management of the YCA. In 2010 he also won first prize at the inaugural Cooper International Piano Competition. In 2008 George won second prize at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Junior Artist Competition.
George has frequently appeared as a soloist with many symphony orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Simon Bolivar Youth Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Pro Musica, Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Miami Symphony Orchestra, Nordic Chamber Orchestra (Sweden), the Norrkoping Orchestra (Sweden), Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Lexington Symphony Orchestra, Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra “I Solisti di Perugia” (Italy), Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, Waltham Symphony Orchestra, Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Boise Philharmonic Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra at Temple Square, the Longwood Symphony Orchestra, the Stamford Symphony Orchestra, the Akron Symphony Orchestra, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (Canada), and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.
An active recitalist and orchestral soloist, George has performed in venues throughout the world, including Symphony Hall and NEC's Jordan Hall in Boston, the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), the Musikverein (Vienna), Rudolfinum’s Dvorak Hall (Czech Republic), Severance Hall, Mechanics Hall, The Tabernacle, Alice Tully Hall of Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, and the Kennedy Center.
The International Tchaikovsky Competition
First held more than 50 years ago, the International Tchaikovsky Competition happens once every four years. The first competition in 1958 included two disciplines: piano and violin. Beginning with the second competition, in 1962, a cello category was added, and the vocal division was introduced during the third competition in 1966. In 1990, a fifth discipline was announced for the IX International Tchaikovsky Competition—a contest for violinmakers, which was held before the main competition.
Prior Tchaikovsky Competitions have spawned such renowned musicians as pianists Van Cliburn, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Mikhail Pletnev, Grigory Sokolov; violinists Viktor Tretiakov, Gidon Kremer, Victoria Mullova; cellists David Geringas, Nathaniel Rosen, Antonio Meneses and singers Evgeny Nesterenko, Elena Obraztsova and Deborah Voigt.