Concert Pianist
Siqian Li
Featured as a rising star in BBC Music Magazine, Chinese pianist Siqian Li brings a rare blend of elegance, dynamism, and artistry to the stage. Praised for her ‘virtuosity and talent’ (Annecy Classic Festival), her ‘huge emotional range and effortless pianistic control’ (Paul Lewis CBE), and her ‘graceful and touching’ approach (Emanuel Ax), she has captivated audiences worldwide. With a distinctive voice at the piano, Siqian’s performances carry deep emotional resonance and refined command of her instrument.
Siqian has performed in some of the world’s leading concert venues, including the Bridgewater Hall, Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, Boston Jordan Hall, Beijing Forbidden City Concert Hall, and Tokyo Ginza Yamaha Concert Hall. She has also created memorable experiences in unconventional spaces, from London’s Leighton House Museum, Chelsea Arts Club, Garrick Club, and Fidelio Café to performing beneath the illuminated globe of Luke Jerram’s GAIA: The Earth Exhibition. Festivals form a vibrant part of her career, with appearances at the Annecy Music Festival, Festival d’Auvers-sur-Oise, Dinard Festival International de Musique, Palermo Classica Festival, Festival de Piano “Rafael Orozco”, Lancaster Music Festival, and Shanghai International Music Festival.
Collaboration lies at the heart of Siqian’s musical life, drawing her to projects that celebrate both tradition and innovation. She recorded with Latvian violinist Roberts Balanas for his debut album on Linn Records, featuring a rare violin sonata by Kapustin alongside Ravel’s iconic Violin Sonata. With violinist Laure Chan, she has reimagined Tan Dun’s iconic film scores Hero and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, creating arrangements that capture personal expression and cinematic sweep. Her trio with pipa virtuoso Cheng Yu and Laure Chan opens yet another window into the fusion of Eastern and Western traditions. She has also collaborated with the Brunello Cucinelli brand on an exclusive event, bringing music into the world of fashion and lifestyle, where art and design inspire one another. Passionate about creative expansion, Siqian embraces every collaboration as an opportunity to explore new possibilities and tell fresh stories through music.
As a performer and aspiring musician, Siqian has reached audiences through radio and print, with live performances on BBC Radio 3's In Tune and BBC Radio London’s The Scene, and features in Classical Music UK, The Chinese Weekly, Shenzhen Evening News, and Shoutout LA. She hosts the artist interview series “The Interlude: Dialogue with Artists”, which explores the creative processes of musicians and artists, uncovering imagination, curiosity, and artistic vision.
Siqian’s approach to the piano is compelling; ever striving to uncover the truth within a piece, she invites audiences to experience a genuine encounter with music. Her depth and radiant pianism have earned numerous accolades, including top prizes at the Chappell Medal Piano Competition—the Royal College of Music’s highest award for pianists—Krainev, Imola, Yamaha China Conservatoire, and Puigcerdà Festival competitions. She was also a semi-finalist at the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2018 and has been selected to compete on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, among them the Van Cliburn, Queen Elisabeth, Rubinstein, and Sydney International Piano Competition.
Siqian is also an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher, drawing on her experience as an international performer. She excels in guiding advanced students who aspire to professional careers, several of whom have earned places at leading UK conservatoires and universities, including one who received the prestigious Royal Academy of Music Bicentenary Scholarship. Beyond her private teaching studio in London, she has led masterclasses at Yamaha Music China, Rossall School International Piano Academy, Wharfedale Festival Waterman Piano Series, and Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School, and has appeared as a guest artist with the Benedetti Foundation’s cultural exchange project.
An alumna of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, the New England Conservatory in Boston, and the Royal College of Music in London, Siqian was shaped by the guidance of three exceptional teachers. Discovered at age ten by Professor Huiqiao Bao, she studied with her for twelve years, laying the foundation of her artistry. Later studies with Professor Alexander Korsantia in Boston encouraged boldness and individuality, while Professor Norma Fisher in London deepened her musical insight and expression. During her undergraduate years in China, she became the first pianist to receive the “Best of the Best – Top and Innovative Talent” diploma and scholarship from China’s Ministry of Culture, before obtaining a Master's Degree from the New England Conservatory, and an Artist Diploma from the Royal College of Music.