Pianist Li Jian dazzles in Carnegie Hall return

"I'm especially touched that Mayor Eric Adams made this very generous, friendly gesture and gave me this recognition," Li told China Daily. "It's going to stay with me for the rest of my life."

Li performed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Rondo in A Minor, K. 511; Claude Debussy's Images, Books I and II and Franz Schubert's Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 959.

Li paid homage to his upbringing in China and his family for being a guiding light.

"My parents are both musicians; my father just passed away just a few months ago. They always asked me to tell the truth, try to be open to myself and to other people to be friendly and to help others, so that's stayed with me," he said.

"In the music, I try to tell them what I think is important, what is the dramatic part. So, you do a lot of things. It's not a show. For me, I have to be totally convinced myself that it's something that's worthwhile. Then I try to project it to the public. So that has a lot to do with my upbringing," he said.

Li may have taken to the stage solo, but his talent soon filled the hall as though there was an entire orchestra. His beautiful, delicate rendition sent a hush through the audience.

Lukas Dekanovsky, an audience member from the Czech Republic who is in New York City for an internship at the United Nations, said he was enthralled by the performance.

"I loved how profound he was," Dekanovsky told China Daily. "I feel like he had a connection with the essence. It doesn't really sound like notes. It sounds like a feeling, although it is music. For me, seeing how softly he plays the piano and uses the music is incredible. I don't think I've ever witnessed that before."

Masterful with every light stroke of the keys, Li had a way of making each note simmer on the black and gold Steinway & Sons piano.

"Music is an international language. I know everyone says that, but it truly is," Li said. "I think I like Mozart the most because it's uplifting."