Returning from Music Festival in Europe, Pianist George Li Took Home $10K Prize

By David Li, bostonese.com

In the evening of August 10, well-known pianist George Li performed at the 21st annual music festival at Walnut Hill. As a 17-year-old, George Li is a seasoned pianist well beyond his age. As usual, his performance was full of passion and dedication, and received thundering applause and standing ovation from the audience.

Alfred Brendel gave George Li master piano lesson at Verbier Festival Academy in Switzerland.




According to Katie Li, George Li’s mother, George and his brother Andrew just returned home from Europe days earlier. George also performed at last year’s music festival at Walnut Hill.

“We just came back from the Verbier Festival Academy, where George, along with seven other pianists and more than 50 musicians, studied intensely for three weeks,” Katie said. During the world-famous music festival, George had master classes with such well-known pianists and teachers as, Demitri Bashkirov, Manehem Pressler, and Alfred Brendel, and received outstanding citations and praises from the teachers.

At the end of the music camp, George Li was well-loved by the audience for his performance at the Academy Presents concerts. As a result, he was awarded the Prix Tabor for Piano (CHF10000), which was given to pianist with exceptional talents.




In an email message to Ellen Pfeifer of NEC, Katie Li wrote: “It was a great news for George and for us. We are very proud of him, and we wish to share this great news with the NEC community, where he received years of musical education and nourishment. We wish to thank NEC for George’s accomplishments.”

From first place finished in various international piano competitions, to performances at the White House and the Capital Hill, to many charity work done by him, George Li has grown from a child genius to a well-rounded young person in front of our eyes. The new school year is just a couple weeks away, and many of George Li’s fans are anticipating much more brilliant music from this young sensation in class music in the months ahead.