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”. Following this success, Christian’s second album Discovering Mendelssohn released in 2023 received a glowing review from Gramophone magazine.
In concerts, Christian made a series of acclaimed debuts including with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Oslo Philharmonic, Gavle Symphony, Aalborg Symphony, RTV Slovenian Radio Symphony and Macao Orchestra, as well as gave recitals in Taiwan, Canada, Israel, Norway and the UK.
Currently, Christian is the Young Artist in Association with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, a title he has held since 2021. He will return to perform Korngold Violin Concerto with the orchestra in 24/25 season in addition to his highly anticipated return to Sydney Symphony Orchestra and a debut with Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria.
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 and with David Takeno in London. In his free time, he enjoys reading, swimming and bike riding.
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