[INTERVIEW] Violinist Bomsori Kim opens new era for Kumho Art Hall Yonsei

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Tue, September 26, 2023 | 08:51

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INTERVIEWViolinist Bomsori Kim opens new era for Kumho Art Hall Yonsei

Posted : 2019-05-01 17:35

Updated : 2019-08-16 09:29

Bomsori Kim. Courtesy of Harold Hoffman

By Anna J. Park

Bomsori Kim, 29, one of the busiest and most sought-after Korean violinists, has returned to her homeland this week to give a recital at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei in Seoul, this evening. Her recital was part of the Beautiful Thursday concert series, which Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation has been hosting weekly for more than a decade now.

Her recital's title "Da Capo: From the beginning" has added meaning, as it is the first "Beautiful Thursday" concert to be held at the new venue, since Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation relocated its headquarters to Kumho Art Hall Yonsei earlier this week. The art hall is located on the campus of Yonsei University in Seoul's popular college district of Sinchon.

The previous Kumho Art Hall, located in Gwanghwamun, the center of Seoul's business district, had to permanently close at the end of April, due to a failure to renew its lease. This was sad news for classical music fans to lose a landmark art hall in the heart of the Seoul business district; but the Beautiful Thursday concert series, along with the Kumho Prodigy and Kumho Young Artist concert series will continue at the Kumho Art Hall Yonsei.

Kim is one of many Korean young classical music artists, who has a deep relationship with the art hall and the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation. She made her debut at the age of 14 as a gifted young artist at a "Kumho Prodigy" concert in 2004, through which so many other world-class Korean musicians, including pianist Seong-jin Cho, made their debut. Her violin that she has used since 2013, a Guadagnini made in 1774, is also leased from the foundation.

"The relationship deepens every year. It feels that the foundation is like a parent. They have fully supported me in every possible way. The foundation has also supported other classical music prodigies and artists for years now. I am always grateful," Kim told The Korea Times, Tuesday.

She said she is particularly excited that her recital will open a new era for the art hall and the foundation at the new venue. During the performance, the violinist will play works by Szymanowski, Mozart and Prokofiev with pianist Illya Rashkovskiy.

"It's my first time to perform Prokofiev's Sonata for Violin and Piano No.2 in D Major. Mozart's sonata No.32 is what I played at my Kumho Prodigy concert 15 years ago. So these two sonatas are very fresh to me. Two works of Szymanowski are what I love very much. I have tried to present a fresh repertoire for the audience to commemorate the beginning of the new chapter of the art hall," Kim said.

Since winning the 62 ARD International Music Competition, followed by prizes at many prestigious competitions, including the Tchaikovsky International Competition, the Queen Elisabeth Competition and the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition, she performs about 70 concerts a year worldwide. She is also the current Artist-soloist in residence with the Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra in Poland.

A musical partnership with Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz, winner of the 2005 Chopin International Piano Competition, is also something she cherishes; the two artists released a recording through Deutsche Grammophon earlier this year, featuring works by Faure, Debussy, Chopin and Szymanowski.

"It is really amazing that Rafal and I fit so well together musically. I get so much energy from him as I feel mutual synergy is created when we play together. Our playing is always new and evolving, and I love it so much. It seems our energy and spark are delivered to the audience, and they respond passionately as well," Kim said.

Her plan for this year includes many prestigious summer music festivals. She will perform at the Rheingau Festival in Germany in July, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival in Switzerland in August, and the Lucerne Festival in September. Besides these, she has concerts in Japan, Poland, Germany and the U.S. later in the year.

Amid her hectic globe-trotting schedule, the violinist thinks deeply about the originality of her violin sound and her music.

"I think a lot about finding my own originality in my playing. I constantly think about why people need to listen to my music, and why I play the music. Those reasons will be the originality of my music. I hope my music brings consolation to listeners, and for that goal, I need to lead a respectable life; as my life will melt and be reflected in my sound. I hope to be a person who can give inspiration to others," Kim said.

annajpark@koreatimes.co.kr