Wu Yili

Wu Yili
Also known asElaine Yi-Li Wu
Born1931 (1931)
Shanghai, Republic of China
Died20 April 2019(2019-04-20) (aged 87–88)
Singapore
GenresClassical
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Piano
Years active1948–2019
Spouse(s)
Yang Bingsun
(div. 1966)
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese巫漪丽
Transcriptions

Wu Yili (Chinese: 巫漪丽; 1931 – 20 April 2019), also known as Elaine Yi-Li Wu,[1] was a Chinese-Singaporean classical pianist. A member of the first generation of Chinese pianists,[2] she served as the first solo pianist of the China National Symphony Orchestra and arranged the piano accompaniment for the Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto. After suffering persecution during the Cultural Revolution, she moved to the United States before settling in Singapore. Following the release of two acclaimed albums in her old age, she was rediscovered by Chinese music lovers and became a social media sensation in her 80s.

  1. ^ Wu, Elaine Yi-Li (2009). Great Maestro: Elaine Yi-Li Wu. Guangzhou: Guangzhou Audio and Video Publishing. ISBN 9787885188641. OCLC 965823147.
  2. ^ Han, Xuan (2019-04-23). "Venerable Pianist Elaine Wu Passes Away". All China Women's Federation. Retrieved 2019-04-25.