Australian-Chinese violinist releases Tambourin Chinois at age 13

Christian Li, a 13-year-old Australian-Chinese violinist, released a performance of Tambourin Chinois, a joyous and delightful piece composed by Austrian-born violinist Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) in 1901.

Released to coincide with Lunar New Year, which Li celebrated with his family at home in Australia, the violinist appeared with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on February 13.

Li learnt this music piece at 9 and was excited to put his interpretation on record.

Tambourin Chinois, or Chinese Drum, was composed in 1901 by Kreisler, who was inspired by a traditional Chinese piece that he heard in San Francisco. When Kreisler visited Shanghai in 1923, he performed the piece.

Born in Melbourne in 2007, Li first picked up violin aged five. He came to international attention in 2018 when he became the youngest-ever winner of the Menuhin Competition, winning the joint Junior 1st Prize in Geneva, at 10. He performed a movement of Vivaldi's Four Seasons with a professional orchestra, play-conducting from the violin. The video of his performance has since notched up millions of views on YouTube.

Now the youngest Decca Classics artist ever, Li studies with Robin Wilson, head of Violin at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne.