To Li Yundi, playing the piano is as natural as breathing. The youngest winner of the Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2000, the 22-year-old music prodigy is still taking piano lessons.
'The lessons nowadays are more about exchanging views on music with my teacher,' says Li.
'This is very important because I can talk about my views and the teacher can then talk about his experiences and things that he understands. It is not like teaching children [to play the piano] anymore. This stage has already passed.'
Li first took piano lessons in 1989. Born in Chongqing , Li was five years old when he demonstrated his music talents by winning the first prize at a children's accordion competition in his hometown.
Since then, Li has won the Stravinsky International Youth Piano Competition (1995), the Missouri Southern International Youth Piano Competition (1998) and the China International Youth Piano Competition (1999). He also won the gold medal in Poland four years ago.
Li listens to different kinds of music. He likes Mariah Carey.