Paul Ji
Paul Ji is a Young Steinway Artist and winner of the 2019 France 2 TV competition “Prodiges”. His first solo album “Piano” was recorded and published by Warner Classics at the age of 16. His latest album “Chopin: A poet’s fantasy” will be released by Warner Classics in November 2025. Paul is widely reported by many mainstream media such as the Pianist, BBC, Le Figaro, Le Parisien, Elle Magzine, and CCTV. He collaborated with British singer Sarah Brightman in her album “France”. Paul graduated from Eton College as a Music Scholar and is currently studying at Yale School of Music with Professor Wei-Yi Yang, while majoring in Music and Philosophy. He received the “Artist Diploma” from Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot, where he studied with French Pianist and Conductor Jean-Bernard Pommier since 2018. At the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred, Paul received the highest distinction of the jury in 2019, unanimously, despite being the youngest student in his cohort.
Paul has performed at Carnegie Hall, Hamburg Laeiszhalle, Annecy Music Festival in France, and he has given solo recitals at the Berlin Philharmonie, London KOKO Theatre, Chopin Centre in Szfarnia, and Theatre des Champs-Elysees.
His performances received very high praise from many celebrated pianists. Internationally renowned pianist and Professor John Lill from Royal Academy of Music in UK, who received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (a British order of chivalry) twice by Her Majesty, commented on Paul’s performance:
“This young man is astonishing and he plays with a command and presence of a much older musician. Most players nowadays are out to impress by speed, loudness, mannerism, gimmickry or any other earthbound method of shallow yet temporary success they can find. As a refreshing contrast, to find one as instantly arresting as he with his substantial spiritual development, depth, space and warmth beggars belief! Although already a fine virtuoso, his powers are always there to serve the music, rather than himself. I also am most impressed by his dignified composure and innate authority. I cannot believe how young he is!”
The renowned German magazine “Pianist” conducted an interview with Paul on the eve of his solo piano concert at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall in 2022 and featured the interview in their magazine. They especially commented,
“His (Paul Ji) performance not only showcases his exceptional technical prowess as a pianist but also reveals his astonishing maturity. He possesses a great sense of taste, interpreting Liszt’s often exaggerated ‘Liebestraum No. 3’ with exquisite skill and noble demeanor. In his rendition of the ‘Études’ from the ‘Black Key Etudes,’ he stands out with a lightness akin to butterfly wings. He also demonstrates his passionate control.”
Paul is committed to using music for social good. He is the founder of “Music for Good” and winner of 2021 Eton College Social Impact Award. The purpose of “Music for Good” is to inspire, encourage, and empower musicians around the world to create social value and make a social impact through music. This platform enables musicians to share their music globally with less privileged audience who needs music (such as hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, schools in impoverished areas, etc.). Music should not be just a luxury for the rich, instead, music should go to society and the public. Paul Ji launched the “Music for Good” movement, in the hope that musicians around the world can solve many social problems through music. He also regularly goes to the local elderly care center and hospital to play the piano for patients with terminal illness, using music to comfort their heart and ease their pain.