George Li: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Aug. 31, 2018 | Tom Huizenga -- When George Li, the 23-year-old American pianist, revealed his Tiny Desk setlist, one thought came to mind: How will these powerhouse showstoppers sound on an upright piano? The music he intended to play, by Franz Liszt and Vladimir Horowitz, was designed for a real, 7-foot concert grand piano - the kind they used to call "a symphony orchestra in a box."
Turns out, there was nothing to worry about. Li's technique is so comprehensive, so agile, so solid, that instead of making our trusty Yamaha U1 quake in fear, he made the instrument sound several sizes larger, producing glorious, full-bodied colors and textures.
Li comes by his achievements honestly. He began lessons at age 4, and at 10 gave his first public concert. Five years later, he snagged the silver medal at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Last fall, he released his debut album on a major label and these days he's playing with many of the world's major orchestras while touring the globe. He just graduated from Harvard where he studied English literature and piano, in a hybrid program with the New England Conservatory.
Li is still young, but in some ways he's an old soul. Forget streaming services; he still listens to CDs. And his "idol" is the old-school, swashbuckling virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz, a pianist who died nearly 30 years ago.
To honor Horowitz, Li begins his Tiny Desk recital with the master pianist's electrifying reboot of a theme from Bizet's opera Carmen. Li describes it as an "insane knuckle-buster." Just watch his hands blur during the fiendish interlocking octaves at the explosive climax. Then it's two pieces by the ultimate monster pianist, Franz Liszt. The Consolation No. 3, with its gently flowing, long-lined melody and diaphanous ornaments, reveals the poetic side of the composer, while the rip-roaring La campanella begins with a single tinkling bell that multiplies into a wild cacophony of trills and scales, ending in what Li calls "a big bang."
George Li is a pianist whose star is very busy rising. And judging from the panache and precision in which he dispatched this extremely difficult music, he's an artist worth keeping an ear on for a good long time.
Set List
Horowitz: Variations on a Theme from Bizet's Opera Carmen
Liszt: Consolation No. 3
Liszt: La Campanella
Credits
Producers: Tom Huizenga, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Khun Minn Ohn; Production Assistants: Catherine Zhang, Téa Mottolese; Photo: Eric Lee/NPR.

[@qp1377]

Never thought i'd see him on tiny desk :0 i love the diversity of the music on npr! it puts classical music in a more accessible context and deconstructs the elitism surrounding the genre which is pretty cool!!!

[@dahmeneekah]

Personally, I only know nor to do either jazz or classical when I would hear it on the radio. This channel is really phenomenal because it has really broadened!

[@gabrielleholt446]

Your comment was beautifully articulated :-)

[@friesiamans1966]

+thevoid - couldn´t have said it better - it´s maybe the best i like about him, apart from his breathtaking skills: he´s no snob - in classical music, in classical rock music as well and in jazz there is a lot of snobism and, even worse, chauvinism to be found, i find this sad, because it sometimes makes me shriek away from there... wilhelm busch found the nicest words about that: for the mind nothing is great enough, for the heart nothing is too small... i love any kind of music, as long as it comes from the heart... :-)

[@DrPocket2200]

It's great that NPR is also showcasing Classical music talents.

[@mspussygalore]

*He is phenomenal*

[@jasonhurley9702]

The 2nd piece "is so simple" tho. 😂

[@gm692000us]

It's like watching a musician make love to his instrument.... Absolutely brilliant🔥🔥

[@funkyduck4743]

I am speechless. I haven't cried in a while, but during the second piece I burst out. His playing is beyond words. That performance was magical. 15 minutes that felt like the blink of an eye. Thank you NPR, George, Horowitz and Liszt.

[@friesiamans1966]

+ mister zhivago - i confess, the water came to my eyes either in that piece... the whole appearance of this guy was so overwhelmingly unexpected........... greetings from germany

[@junkpile1986]

I applauded when the video was over

[@musicbydavidsmith]

One of the most considered yet feisty interpretations of La Campanella I've heard. Properly made that piano work - awesome stuff.

[@johnnnyyuma]

find someone to look at you the way george li looks at his piano

[@quicogil4565]

Right on.

[@Si-Al-Ti]

Give your loved ones the ole meth stare

[@Bi6M4C]

you are a waste like me, I'm 23 too have a good evening tho :D

[@corentingoury6680]

Someone who look at you like a psycho ahah

[@jennacook2505]

+

[@dahalofreeek]

Oh wow, he's freaking amazing. Great pieces too.

[@frankakwetey2354]

His 2nd piece put me in a dream-like state. It's pure hypnotics

[@loveispatient0808]

Many felt he should be the gold medalist instead!

[@zorbcanoo8574]

This talented fellow's hand movements are soothing and hypnotic

[@Wfordy212]

Chill

[@acs812]

This guy is awesome.. Thank u NPR for bringing him in

[@marcscordato4385]

Great sounding upright piano 🎹 One could say a grand piano is high fidelity and and upright is low fidelity But low fidelity is earthy warm and charming .

[@stevendorsey4882]

If that "trusty Yamaha" could speak it would likely say, "Oh my! Do that again! Please!" This was a wonderful mini-concert from George Li. He clearly has a gift and passion for his music. And he chose pieces for this presentation that showcased just a bit of his virtuosity. Thank you, Tiny Desk and NPR, for helping to keep music like this alive and for featuring rising stars like George Li.

[@Strivefornuance]

Wow!!! I googled him because his sister is married to my cousin and she’s told me that he’s a pretty good pianist (random 😂). Way to go, George!

[@germaincls785]

Shout out to the sound engineer too for making sounding this yamaha as a grand piano.

[@sterlinggonzalez5229]

i legitimately want to know how much is hand insurance is. Hands that blessed my ears like this gottta be priceless!

[@sommelierofstench]

ive never heard a piano sound so dynamic wow

[@sirmonkeyboy1789]

Absolutely awesome in a pianist so young! Love the feeling he shows in his face :)

[@skqq3250]

Just discovered George Li today. Wow! Wonderful playing.....😛

[@PersianWombat]

So many chills.... Thank you for this!

[@AllIn1Studio]

To have had the ability to transform a boxy, out-of-tune, upright Yamaha into a musical instrument was some feat in itself!! George Li is a brilliant musician and his pianism is such that he now has a recognizable sound, at such a young age! His pure heart and soulful depth are revealed in his performance. Thank you NPR.

[@Red4350]

Classical music needs more guys like this...his pieces/song choices can excite and amaze the average person...while I feel like some classical musicians pick pieces that might be very hard or have a reputation but are not exceptionally pleasing to the ears

[@jimlawton4184]

The consolation will always have a place in my heart. I played it at my grandfather's funeral. You played it very beautifully-thank you for bringing back that memory!

[@kirk902]

Fabulous performance and recording.

[@shaze071]

Amazing! Would love to see more classical performances! Thanks, all!

[@venuselectrificata]

What a treat!! 🎀

[@JVolel]

A delightful performance! Thank you Tiny Desk.

[@timbaltutan]

just beautiful.

[@magicwaffl3z]

Dude fuckin shreds

[@Efarres001]

Yju. Uuyy bbhkhjjj

[@RayVon246]

prob one of the most important concerts - props to NPR and George, so exciting and amazing and inspiring, completely unbelievable. I was double checking what was going on during La Campanella i was sure he couldn't be making those sounds with just two hands!! incredible.

[@Xxsopxx]

Most amazing piano playing I've ever seen.

[@gabrielleholt446]

I think his pants are a little tight but his piano skills are even tighter This comment is a tragedy but I mean well.

[@camillecotton7283]

Gabrielle Holt u made me look...-can not unsee...thanx 🤦🏽‍♀️ lol

[@jakethewoz]

What a fantastic playing of Consolation no 3!

[@musicduets]

Awesome!!!

[@b00tsyallday]

Loooved it!

[@Diegolopez-pf1dj]

Beautiful

[@chrisf6216]

Thank you NPR/TDC! Once again, you're killing my wallet. Wishing George bright days and success in his career in the days ahead. Cheers!

[@georgemichaelis1664]

This guy moves so fast it looks like stop motion

[@AlbertVatveri]

beautiful!

[@juanjchavarroc]

It was amazing, tks!

[@MedSou]

Awesome 👍👍👍👍

[@Blacktree420life]

Excellent

[@samuelblackwoods2245]

Expression of the second piece! Priceless.

[@JorgeMartinez-dl7qy]

I love it

[@luckysuzful]

This guy is amazing! What a fabulous talent!

[@hqelias]

Just... fantastic.

[@EVELIENNUIJTEN]

amazing to look at, captivating!!! npr made it accessible

[@nat-vw9yi]

How is the last song humanly possible to play? That's incredible, outstanding, it's insane!

[@helloitsnicko]

Holy moly

[@streamylc]

Mr. Li is literally making love to those keys

[@stocchinet]

In awe

[@ay5285]

so good

[@keithwigley1256]

Hey George Li ..what a fine touch on those keys...

[@MrSpiderman48]

This is all memorized man. He’s a genius no doubt

[@Ricardo.S.Araujo]

The human mind is capable of amazing feats with total focus, full dedication. It unlocks passion and genius.

[@LILBOOTYTINKA]

*we dont deserve this magical being* 😭😭😭😍😍😍

[@cowboyconey]

I tend to only listen to hardcore punk, rap, and a little jazz. This just blew me away.

[@LynnColorado]

Magnificent!

[@dahmeneekah]

This was great!

[@diaspo]

Sweet kid and such a talent.

[@kay2202]

so talented absurdly talented 👏👏👏

[@miguelangelyanesgonzalez563]

Fantasitico....felicidades..!!!

[@noahcoronado6807]

So fun and dandy:D I love it

[@kimmusicas]

I loved Thais one 😍😍😍👏👏👏

[@drykli]

Very unique key tough, should be followed for long time.

[@BeammeupSpotty]

Nice!!!!

[@olgakviatkovskaia4587]

¡Espléndido, brillante, genial, muchas gracias por tu duro trabajo y placer para nuestro oído!!!!

[@user-ps9bu9tk2f]

Good!!

[@servantofthemosthigh6094]

👏👏 BRAVO 👏👏

[@haertshapedbox4988]

I lovu you NPR

[@dexxxhunt]

Mad respect....This cat is killin it.Peace/Bless

[@lvb1770]

From Carnegie Hall to Tiny Desk! Lol....I've been following George for over decade. He was on Martha Stewart when he was only 8.

[@GABf1994]

magnifico.

[@brotherpabl0]

Give this man... A groupie! 👑💯🙏

[@rosalienmander9357]

dope!!!

[@foreststretchinghawk63]

Growing up.. my parents made us listening to this stuff (-__-) Now.... I enjoy it!! Thanks mom n dad

[@ninety_three_93]

this pianist is awesome!

[@KevinMichaelCallihan]

It is certainly a disciplined mind that can make such complex music sound so beautiful and easy to play while that is not at all easy, but it is the beauty of it that makes me write easy! He is very good and I enjoyed how he handled education at Harvard.

[@christiangonzalez5688]

This guy is amazing with the piano... holy crap🤙🏻😱. You guys should invite Vacations to play they are AMAZING!!!!!!

[@Andy-in7sr]

Now this is better.

[@SebastianWill]

George Li is the guy!!

[@MrPchq]

hermoso, hipnótico, fasinante, y más hermoso, sin más que decir anonadada :)

[@jeanmarie0733]

Interprétation des plus brillantes et très remarquable

[@UmpaLoempa]

dude. wow.

[@jorgeperez3318]

Maestro

[@arcana830]

Well I'm officially a fan.

[@johnmahoney1204]

Completely "Torched" those keys, just brilliant

[@yasminstrautins]

His music hit a deep place in my core and moved my soul.

[@rightythefox3378]

Can you imagine what the "Las Campbell's" sheet music looks like?!!! ~Pure Insanity. Gorge Li is so Amazing.

[@user-kp9of7re9q]

You can find on KZbin

[@capricornpisces3725]

Talented and cute.

[@daniel3klund]

You have to get bon iver on this!!!!!!!

[@GFlipDrums]

so amazing

[@benjamind1286]

Genius

[@krustykillomatik]

WOW

[@kevindawnsu8830]

I'm a guy who knows nearly nothing about classical music, but dude this guy's playing sounds so beautiful!!!

[@Casanovaeduardo]

Genio.

[@chevonaewalcott1661]

Wow

[@joshmos]

OMG WOW

[@rvialm]

he play the second song like in slowmo, incredible