Lim Yunchan makes BBC awards history with Chopin etudes album
21-year-old pianist set to release live album from 2022 Cliburn Competition
Pianist Lim Yunchan swept the three most prestigious categories at the BBC Music Magazine Awards in London -- recording of the year, newcomer of the year and the instrumental award -- all for his debut studio album 'Chopin: Etudes,' released last year under the Decca Classics label, according to the organizer on Thursday.
It marked the first time since the award's inception in 2006 that a single album has claimed all three titles. Even more unprecedented: a first-time winner in the newcomer category also taking home recording of the year.
Charlotte Smith, editor of BBC Music Magazine, said, "That the artist at the center of these three prestigious awards should just have celebrated his 21st birthday is downright astonishing. But Lim Yunchan is no ordinary artist."
"Given that 2024 saw the release of many outstanding albums, I did not expect this outcome at all, and I'm so grateful. I strive always to harmonize what my heart tells me with what my mind dictates,' Lim said, according to the organizer's website.
Released in April 2024, Lim's 'Chopin: Etudes' has achieved remarkable success globally, earning the Diapason d'Or in France and the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, where he was also named young artist of the year.
Alongside the awards, Decca announced Thursday the upcoming release of Lim's live album from the final round of the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where he stunned the world with his interpretation of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The live recording is scheduled for release May 1, and a preview track from the second movement was released Thursday.
Lim was just 18 when he became the youngest winner in Van Cliburn history. The final-round performance video has since garnered over 17 million views on YouTube -- the most-watched rendition of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3.
The young pianist's performances continue to generate global attention. His BBC Proms debut in 2024 at London's Royal Albert Hall sold out faster than any other concert of the season.
Lim is set to perform Bach's "Goldberg Variations" at Carnegie Hall on Friday.
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Korea Herald
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Sohn Min-soo, Lim Yunchan join four hands
Celebrated master-pupil duo to perform together in July Hyundai Card Culture Project The celebrated teacher-pupil pianists Sohn Min-soo and Lim Yunchan will share the stage this July in a rare four-hands concert. The 'Hyundai Card Culture Project 30: Sohn Min-soo & Lim Yunchan' concert, part of Hyundai Card's Culture Project series, takes place July 14 at Lotte Concert Hall and July 15 at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall. The program features a rare duo recital by two of Korea's most renowned pianists. Sohn, a laureate of the Honens International Piano Competition and a respected educator currently teaching at the New England Conservatory, is widely recognized for his commanding artistry and depth. Lim, who shot to international fame after winning the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at the age of 18, has since earned widespread acclaim for his laser-sharp focus and explosive interpretations. Most notably, his debut album, "Chopin: Etudes," garnered top honors at the 2024 BBC Music Magazine Awards and the Gramophone Classical Music Awards. The duo will perform three major works: Brahms' Sonata for Two Pianos in F minor, Op. 34b, Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances, and a special two-piano arrangement of Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier Suite, adapted by Lee Hanurij. This program will also be presented at the 2025 Verbier Festival in Switzerland, which runs from July 16 to August 3, offering Korean audiences a unique opportunity to preview an internationally touring program. Their performance on July 25 at the festival is already sold out. This performance in Seoul marks the first-ever classical concert in the Hyundai Card Culture Project series, which has explored new creative territory across music, theater, visual art, architecture and film. Tickets range from ₩60,000 to ₩150,000 ($43 to $107), and are available through NOL Ticket, with discounts offered to Hyundai Card members.
Korea Herald
24-04-2025
- Korea Herald
Lim Yunchan makes BBC awards history with Chopin etudes album
21-year-old pianist set to release live album from 2022 Cliburn Competition Pianist Lim Yunchan swept the three most prestigious categories at the BBC Music Magazine Awards in London -- recording of the year, newcomer of the year and the instrumental award -- all for his debut studio album 'Chopin: Etudes,' released last year under the Decca Classics label, according to the organizer on Thursday. It marked the first time since the award's inception in 2006 that a single album has claimed all three titles. Even more unprecedented: a first-time winner in the newcomer category also taking home recording of the year. Charlotte Smith, editor of BBC Music Magazine, said, "That the artist at the center of these three prestigious awards should just have celebrated his 21st birthday is downright astonishing. But Lim Yunchan is no ordinary artist." "Given that 2024 saw the release of many outstanding albums, I did not expect this outcome at all, and I'm so grateful. I strive always to harmonize what my heart tells me with what my mind dictates,' Lim said, according to the organizer's website. Released in April 2024, Lim's 'Chopin: Etudes' has achieved remarkable success globally, earning the Diapason d'Or in France and the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, where he was also named young artist of the year. Alongside the awards, Decca announced Thursday the upcoming release of Lim's live album from the final round of the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where he stunned the world with his interpretation of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The live recording is scheduled for release May 1, and a preview track from the second movement was released Thursday. Lim was just 18 when he became the youngest winner in Van Cliburn history. The final-round performance video has since garnered over 17 million views on YouTube -- the most-watched rendition of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The young pianist's performances continue to generate global attention. His BBC Proms debut in 2024 at London's Royal Albert Hall sold out faster than any other concert of the season. Lim is set to perform Bach's "Goldberg Variations" at Carnegie Hall on Friday.
Korea Herald
24-04-2025
- Korea Herald
Pianist Lim Yunchan achieves triple wins at BBC awards for debut album
South Korean pianist Lim Yunchan has achieved a triple victory at the BBC Music Magazine Awards for his debut studio album, "Chopin: Etudes," the organization said on its website Thursday. Lim secured the prestigious Recording of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and the Instrumental Award, marking a historic moment as the first time a single album has garnered three awards in one year at the event. Furthermore, he is the first artist ever to win both the Newcomer and Recording of the Year awards simultaneously. "Given that 2024 saw the release of many outstanding albums, I did not expect this outcome at all, and I'm so grateful," he said according to the website. "I strive always to harmonize what my heart tells me with what my mind dictates." Charlotte Smith, editor of BBC Music Magazine, said, "That the artist at the center of these three prestigious awards should just have celebrated his 21st birthday is downright astonishing. But Lim Yunchan is no ordinary artist." Released in April last year, Lim's "Chopin: Etudes" has already earned widespread global acclaim. It previously won the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, where he was also named Young Artist of the Year. (Yonhap)
