America’s Yale School of Music recently found itself having to release a statement to the public, after it was rumoured that disgraced Chinese pianist Li Yundi has been offered a position as a tenured professor at the said institution.
On 31 October, the University’s Dean of Music Robert Blocker posted a message in the announcement page of the university’s website, which read, “Many people in the Yale School of Music and beyond have asked my office about an assertion being widely circulated in Chinese social media that pianist Yundi Li has been offered a position on YSM’s faculty. No such faculty appointment has been made.”
It is noted that Li Yundi was arrested last week after he was caught soliciting a prostitute.
The pianist, who was once wrapped up in a relationship rumour with singer Wang Leehom prior to the latter’s marriage, has been keeping mum since the scandal made headlines.
He had since been shunned, as celebrities would be following a scandal, with his alma mater, the Sichuan Conservatory of Music taking down all promotions related to Li, and the China Musicians Association terminating his membership.
(Photo Source: Mingpao, Yale School of Music Facebook)