Born in Melbourne in 2007, Christian Li first picked up a violin aged five. He captured international attention in 2018 when he became the youngest-ever winner of the Menuhin Competition, winning the joint Junior 1st Prize in Geneva where he play-conducted a movement of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Performing with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra, he also received the Audience Prize and the Composer Award.
Soon after, in 2020, Christian became the youngest artist to sign with Decca Classics. His debut album featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons accompanied by works for violin and piano by Bazzini, Kreisler, Massenet and Li Zilli was released in August 2021 gathering five-star reviews. BBC Music Magazine wrote: “He brings thrilling virtuosity and myriad colours to Vivaldi’s fast movements and an exquisitely silky cantabile sound to the aria-like slow movements”.
In concerts, Christian made a series of acclaimed debuts including with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Oslo Philharmonic, and Gavle Symphony, as well as gave recitals in Israel, Norway and the UK.
Currently Christian is the Young Artist in Association with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a period of three years during which he performs a range of concertos, chamber music and recitals. In 23/24 season he is returning to Melbourne Symphony twice: in September 2023 to perform Mozart Violin Concerto No.3 and in July 2024 with Paganini Violin Concerto No.1. In current season Christian is also making orchestral debuts with RTV Slovenian Radio Symphony, Aalborg Symphony, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Macao Orchestra, all performing Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, and returns to Oslo Philharmonic orchestra to play/direct Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. He will also give recitals in Taipei and Kaoshiung, Taiwan, with pianist Nicola Eimer, and at the Vancouver Recital Society with Rohan de Silva.
Christian performs on the 1737 ex-Paulsen Guarneri del Gesù violin, on loan from a generous benefactor and uses a bow by François Peccatte. He currently studies with Dr. Robin Wilson at the Yehudi Menuhin School in London and enjoys reading, swimming and bike riding in his free time.
