Elbphilharmonie Innerview: LiLa

Inwards – in the »Elbphilharmonie Innerviews«, artists explore the Elbphilharmonie in their own unique ways, letting their thoughts run free. The result: special insights into the spaces of the concert hall and a rare opportunity to get to know the artists personally beyond the stage.

»It’s essential to balance both mental and physical aspects of life,« says LiLa, »especially with a hectic schedule.« The young cellist seeks connection with nature to achieve that balance. In this Elbphilharmonie Innerview, she talks about how she sees herself as an artist, about her passion for reading, and the similarities between nature and music.

The Elbphilharmonie’s »Innerviews« series is supported by our Principal Sponsor Julius Bär.

»What I find fascinating, and am so grateful for, is the similarity between music and nature,« LiLa reveals. »They don’t judge. They are just there,« she continues. This is yet another reason why this young shooting star from China sees nature as a particularly important source for balance: »For musicians, the chaotic lifestyle and hyper focusing, giving it all away on stage can be addictive. And nature serves as the best remedy. «

For LiLa, the emotional world of music is as full of contrasts as the vast natural world – you can hear the immense joy of life or the knell of death in it. »Music is an emotional mayhem,« she says, »and we find different levels of comfort in it.«

Alongside nature, LiLa enjoys a wide range of interests and has always sought wisdom and inspiration from literature. Her favourite authors include classic names like Hermann Hesse and Leo Tolstoy. »It’s so exhilarating too when authors like these discuss music or composers,« she enthuses.

Born in China, LiLa started playing the piano at the age of four, before switching to the cello three years later. As a teenager, she became a junior student at the renowned Juilliard School in New York and soon won a number of major prizes. She still can’t quite believe that she is now an internationally sought-after young musician: »It’s quite surreal and amazing to think about how the cello has taken me all around the world.«

As a musician, she strives for people to feel connected through her playing: »Music can bring a shred of comfort to everyone, so that we realise we are not alone in this world.« She wants to give music the space to touch people. A notion of her role that is beautiful and humble. »That’s why it is so wonderful to have such special places like the Elbphilharmonie,« she says – »Places where people can come together and disappear into the music.«