"Genius, when young, is divine," wrote Benjamin Disraeli, the 19th century English statesman, intellectual and writer.
It is easy to see the truth underlying Disraeli's observation by watching Li Chuanyun play the violin. His fingers dance up and down the neck of the instrument with amazing grace - as if he was born to the violin, as if it were an extension of himself.
At a recent solo concert in Shanghai , as the young virtuoso played "La Ronde de Lutins" ("Dance of the Elves") by Antonio Bazzini, the audience, including a contingent of unusually well-behaved children, sat rapt at Shanghai Art Theater, spellbound by Li's brilliant performance.
Unlike Mozart and Beethoven, precocious children as well as musical prodigies, the 22-year-old Li seems, at first glance, a bit innocent, a musician whose talent seems to surprise even himself. During the performance, Li, who still carries his baby fat, is a jumble of facial expressions and gestures - his eyebrows furl and unfurl, he rocks on the heels of his polished shoes, and, perhaps most tellingly, doesn't hide his disappointment with himself.
After finishing the prelude, as he offers an awkward hug to one of his young female admirers after she presents him with a bouquet of flowers, Li cuts a charming and an unusually human prodigy.
During the break, Li stands on stage looking a bit like a little boy lost in big department store, and, speaking softly, offers an apology: "Sorry, I forgot to bring the score (of the next section). I will be right back." He dashes backstage, his face red with embarrassment.
"This was my first solo concert in Shanghai and I was very nervous," Li explains after the concert. "I am so involved in the music, that I often neglect my composure."
When asked why he shakes his head after finishing every piece, he says it is usually because he is not satisfied with the performance. But, no sooner does he say this than he asks: "So what do you think the reason is? You think I'm taking ecstasy? I didn't say that." As this comment clearly illustrates, the young musician is perhaps not as shy as all that.
When speaking about his performance style, Li is usually cautious and diplomatic, but he's also known to cut loose from time to time. His jokes, more often than not of the self-mocking variety, keep his friends, family and fans and fellow musicians in stitches.
This combination of extraordinary musical talent, pleasingly plump physical appearance, and delightfully frank sense of humor has made Li a favorite in the musical community.
After the concert, Li is scheduled to sign copies of his latest release, "Prophetic Bird." But extracting himself from a gaggle of fellow musicians who demanded his presence backstage proves difficult.
Bulkhard godhoff, a German violinist who teaches at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, is full of praise for Li's performance. Godhoff says it was "the best he had seen in 25 years." While Chen Gang, composer of "Butterfly Lovers Concerto," says that Li's emotional passion and gestures made his musical ability even more splendid. Also in attendance is Yu Lina, an acclaimed violinist, and Huang Mengla, Li's peer who won the 49th International Violin Competition in Italy last year.
Li's career is steadily progressing. He appeared as a guest star in director Chen Kaige's latest film "Together." Chen planned to invite Li to play on the soundtrack but ended up writing him into the movie as a young violinist. When the film opened in the U.S., Li was invited to stage several concerts thanks to the release of the movie. Sony Music will produce his next album.
Asked if he would consider doing more work in film, Li, a confessed movie buff, says he's a musician first, and that is where he will concentrate his creative energies. "Music is my only weapon in life," he says, noting that he was not a natural in front of the camera.
"Together" tells the story of a working-class father's search for an exceptional teacher for his talented violin-playing son. There was some speculation that the film was based on Li's life, but the musician flatly denies the allegation.
Born to a musical family and regarded as a prodigy, Li won his first competition in Beijing at 5 and became a student of Lin Yaoji, China's foremost violin teacher. "Lin is the most important teacher in my life," says Li in a reverential tone. "Without him, I would not have progressed to where I am today. He used a variety of methods to teach me when I was very young, and I've made great strides under his tutelage."
At 11, Li won first prize at the Fifth International Wieniawski Youth Violin Competition. At 13, he performed Paganini's "24 Caprices," a pivotal moment for every violinist, at the Hong Kong Cultural Center - a success which led to his first solo album. In 1995, Li was invited to perform with China's National Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Juilliard School of Music awarded him a full scholarship in 1996. It was at Juilliard that he had the opportunity to study with Dorothy DeLay - Itzhak Perlman's former teacher. As DeLay's best student of 1997, Li was invited to give a recital at the Larchmont Chamber Music Circle of that year. He has performed with orchestras around the world including the United States, Canada, France, South Korea, Singapore and Iceland.
Recognized as a "prodigy," Li says that he has always felt, and continues to feel, a great amount of pressure that comes with the word. "Praise can boost your confidence, but sometimes I worry if I can live up to expectations," Li says. "My cure for this worry is to think about the worst that could happen, and then move on. My goal is to do my best to perfect my performance and enrich my repertoire. I'm still not satisfied with how I play Bach and Beethoven."
Like many other musicians of his age, Li doesn't conceal his love for pop music. When the topic turns to pop music, Li becomes exhilarated and his self-mocking enthusiasm pops up again, "If I were not so plump, I'd like to be like Vanessa Mae," quips the virtuoso. 'It's so cool."
Perhaps Disraeli was right when he wrote that young geniuses are divine. But he should have noted that they're devilish as well.
(eastday.com January 8, 2003)
