Latest news with #LimYunchan
Korea Herald
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
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
- Entertainment
- 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
- Entertainment
- 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)
Korea Herald
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Chin Unsuk-led music festival opens with two emerging artists at forefront
Pianist Lim Yunchan, cellist Pablo Ferrandez take center stage at 23rd Tongyeong International Music Festival TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province — The Tongyeong International Music Festival, founded in 2002 to commemorate the late composer Isang Yun, opened Friday in the Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, along the southern coast as wildfires rage on near the city and political turmoil gripped the country. The annual classical music festival typically includes a slate of fringe performances in smaller or alternative venues across Tongyeong. However, this weekend's events have been postponed due to a major wildfire in neighboring Sancheong County — the birthplace of Isang Yun. The wildfires began March 21 and were still causing extensive damage in the region as of Friday afternoon. Renowned composer Chin Unsuk, now in her fourth year as the festival's artistic director, emphasized, "Many people are suffering due to the wildfire and both domestic and international affairs remain highly complex. With a sense of humility, we plan to carry out the festival." Explaining the theme 'Journey Inwards,' Chin — recipient of the 2024 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize and the 2025 International Classical Music Award for Contemporary Music — said, 'In a time when political and economic conflicts are erupting around the world, and everyone is having to endure so much, perhaps listening to music — even if only for a moment — can be a chance to take an inner journey and rediscover something within ourselves.' Running through April 6, the festival places two rising stars at its center: South Korean pianist Lim Yunchan and Spanish cellist Pablo Ferrandez, both serving as artists-in-residence. 'Even before I took the directorship, many musicians who had been to TIMF recommended it to their fellow artists,' Chin had remarked three years ago, her first year in the role, adding, 'TIMF is perhaps more recognized outside Korea.' While the festival has long been a destination for classical music enthusiasts in Korea, it is drawing broader public attention this year thanks in large part to the soaring popularity of Lim Yunchan, the 20-year-old pianist who became a global sensation after winning the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022. Tickets for the opening concert — featuring Lim with the TIMF Orchestra under the baton of conductor Fabien Gabel — and Lim's solo recital sold out within one minute and 58 seconds, respectively. 'After Isang Yun's music, I believe my mission is to support and foster young musicians from Korea,' Chin said. 'That's why I invited artists like Yang In-mo and Kim Sun-wook in previous years. Thankfully, Lim Yunchan, who considers Tongyeong a place that feels like home, was available to join this year.' Lim shares a deep connection with the festival: In 2019, he became the youngest winner of Korea's Isangyun Competition, which is organized by the Tongyeong International Music Foundation. 'Cellist Pablo Ferrandez is an emerging artist who is rapidly gaining recognition,' Chin added. 'We invited him this year, and I have high expectations for his performance.' This year marks both the 30th anniversary of Isang Yun's passing and the 100th anniversary of Pierre Boulez's birth, with major works by the two composers featured in the festival program. Composer-in-residence Hans Abrahamsen's works will be also introduced.
Korea Herald
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Lim Yunchan to perform for young audiences
21-year-old pianist will perform recitals to 'give through music' The last week of March will see internationally acclaimed pianist Lim Yunchan dedicating his performances to young people. From March 23 to 25, Lim, 21, will hold three special recitals in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, with all proceeds donated to pediatric cancer patients. On March 28, as the artist-in-residence for the Tongyeong International Music Festival, he will give an exclusive performance for local students in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, on the festival's opening day. In addition to the donations, the three recitals in Goyang are meant to reach a wider audience outside Seoul, an idea the artist suggested himself, according to his agency Moc Production. 'The planning began when Lim suggested holding performances outside of Seoul, without receiving a performance fee, and offering tickets at affordable prices," the agency said. The recitals will take place at the 1,440-seat Aram Music Hall in Goyang Aramnuri, Gyeonggi Province. Ticket prices for this concert range from 30,000 won ($21) to 50,000 won. For comparison, tickets for Lim's nationwide recital tour last year ranged from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. Since his historic win at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022 as the youngest winner in the competition's history, Lim's performances have become some of the most sought-after concerts, selling out quickly. His rising global profile has also made his performances highly attractive for corporate sponsorships and partnerships, which are frequently allocated a portion of the tickets. However, the recitals in Goyang will be held without sponsors or corporate partnerships. "We invite you to share in the warmth of the artist's heartfelt intentions and join us for this meaningful event, where the spirit of giving through music comes to life," the agency said. To ensure fair access, the agency said that tickets to all three concerts will go on sale simultaneously, preventing single buyers from amassing multiple tickets. Ticket sales begin at 3 p.m. on Friday at the Goyang Cultural Foundation website and Ticketlink. At Goyang Aramnuri, Lim will play Bach's Goldberg Variations, a piece he has chosen as the centerpiece of his repertoire this season. He has been performing it across North America and Europe, with a recital scheduled at New York's Carnegie Hall in April. In Korea, his only previously planned performance of this piece was at the Tongyeong International Music Festival on March 30. In addition to the Goldberg Variations, he will also present '...Round and velvety-smooth blend..,' a piece he commissioned from Lee Hanulij, a 19-year-old rising composer. Lee has already garnered international recognition, winning top prizes, including first place at the Bartok World Competition last November. The March 28 concert at the Tongyeong Concert Hall, organized by the Tongyeong International Music Foundation, is an invitation-only event exclusively for youngsters in the region. This year's artist-in-residence of the Tongyeong International Music Festival will perform with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra under conductor Fabien Gabel. The program includes Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2.
