Lacking Crossover Appeal, Pianist Dropped From Record Label

Concert Pianist Yundi Li has recently been dropped from his recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon and it seems that it wasn't because of his playing.  Still in his mid-twenties, Li is considered one of the premier concert pianists in the world, but you probably haven't heard of him.  Deutsche Grammophon has had trouble marketing the virtuoso, one who exemplifies the old standards of the concert pianist. He is well trained, highly musical, understated in performance, but has generated excellent reviews.  On the other hand, DG has had no trouble marketing its other twenty-something pianist Lang Lang.  Flashy in performance and unidiomatic-some say unmusical-he is one of the rare classical musicians to have appeal outside of classical music circles.  It looks like DG is putting even more of its resources behind him.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122790914204065299.html

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