Chopin's concerto

Today, I'm going to talk about Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1.

Chopin is known as the 'poet of the piano' for his dreamy and tenderly poetic piano works.

His piano works (the majority of his compositions were for this instrument) contain long-breathed and lyrical melodies that could melt your heart.

The slow movement of the 1st piano concerto is the epitome of Chopin's poetic writing. In Chopin's own words, this movement "is intended to convey the impression one receives when the eye rests on a beloved landscape, which calls up in one's soul beautiful memories, for instance, on a fine moonlit night in spring." (see, even his description of the movement is so poetically done.)

In the recording below, you will hear the prize-winning performance of one of the hottest property in classical music today -- Li Yundi. At age 18, he was the youngest ever winner of the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000. This recording is from the final round of the competition. (ie. he was announced winner after this performance)