Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Pianist Lim Yun-chan invited to Carnegie Hall for 2nd straight year
Pianist Lim Yun-chan plays the piano during a launching event for Apple Music Classical at Apple Myeongdong in central Seoul, Jan. 29. Yonhap
By Park Jin-hai
Pianist Lim Yun-chan, 20, will perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City for the second consecutive year, following his highly-anticipated debut on Feb. 21.
The concert hall announced, Sunday, the Korean piano prodigy will return to the main stage, the Isaac Stern Auditorium, on April 25, 2025.
Unlike his all-Chopin program this year, which showcases "Trois nouvelles études" Op. Posth. and "Twelve Etudes" Op. 10 and 25, Lim will present a repertoire next year that includes Anton Webern’s “Variation for Piano” Op.27 and Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Goldberg Variations.”
The 2025 recital is part of the “Keyboard Virtuosos series II” of Carnegie Hall's 2024-25 season, where Lim will perform recitals side by side with other leading pianists, including Korean star pianist Cho Seong-jin, Russian-German Igor Levit and Japanese Mitsuko Uchida.
Industry insiders view Lim's consecutive recitals as proof of Carnegie Hall's high recognition of his talent and drawing power.
“At just 18 years old, Lim recently became the youngest pianist ever to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. His electrifying performance also earned him the Audience Award, garnering votes from more than 84 different countries,” the concert hall described the young virtuoso, expressing high expectations for his debut concert at the venue, slated for Feb. 21.
Lim shot to fame after becoming the youngest winner of the Gold Medal at the 2022 Van Cliburn Competition in Fort Worth, Texas, and has since stormed the classic music scenes in Korea and abroad with huge fan base.
Regarding his upcoming recital next year, Carnegie Hall stated, “Moments after becoming the youngest musician to ever win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Lim shared that the next piece he intended to learn for performance was J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations.” It added, “Reporters — who had just witnessed the eagerly ambitious artist perform Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes in the competition, among other virtuoso achievements — couldn’t help but laugh in amazement.”
Lim's debut with the New York Philharmonic last year earned him a standing ovation, with The New York Times depicting the teenage sensation's performance as “dreamlike.”
Meanwhile, Cho is also invited to perform at the venue for the 2024-25 season for the fourth consecutive year since his debut in 2022, solidifying Korea's presence on the global classical music stage.