(Photo : Wu Yili, an 84-year-old pianist)

Wu Yili, an 84-year-old pianist, recently released her new personal album "Great Maestro 2", after she released "Great Maestro 1", which received great sales volume and audience response, five years ago. The new album's 9 pieces of tunes with Chinese characteristics have been well received in the music industry. On September 6^th, 2013, Wu Yili held an album signing and interview for "Great Maestro 2". During the event, she shared her experiences of creation and her understanding of music.

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Wu Yili's life was the stuff of legends. She was obsessed with music and began learning how to play piano at the age of 6. Wu Yili was taught by Mei Baiqi, a famous Italian pianist and former Conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. She studied together with Wu Leyi, Zhu Gongyi, Zhou Guangren and Fu Cong, the elder generation of pianists in China. At the age of 18, Wu Yili first cooperated with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and played Beethoven's Piano Concerto NO. 1, which drew heated response in the music industry. In 1954, Wu Yili served as the first soloist in the China National Orchestra. She was then awarded National First-Grade Pianist in 1962 and met with Prime Minister Zhou Enlai. In 1983, Wu Yili went to the US to pursue advanced degrees. In 1993, she settled in Singapore.

Wu Yili is good at playing Western classical music and music in the period of Romantic. Her play is passionate, delicate and beautiful. Wu Yili also intensively study Chinese music, trying her best to innovatively play Chinese national music by Western instruments. She originated and first played the piano part of Chinese violin concerto "Butterfly Lovers". In addition, "Joyful and Peaceful Life", a piece of Cantonese music adapted by her, has been widely known.

In 2008, Wu Yili released her first personal album "Great Maestro 1" at the age of 78. The album, representing a blend of her life legend and achievements, drew heated response once released. In August, 2013, her second personal album "Great Maestro 2" was produced in Qiao Yangrong County in Guang Xi province. The album includes 9 tunes with Chinese characteristics such as "On the Frozen Songhua River" and "Birds Pay Homage to the King".