Pianist Son Yeol-eum's Solo Recital After 4 Years 'Filled Only with Schumann's Pieces'

At the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on the 23rd-24th of next month

[Photo by Credia]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] Pianist Son Yeol-eum (photo) will hold a solo recital in Korea for the first time in four years on June 23-24 at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall.

Son Yeol-eum originally planned to hold the recital on May 13 to commemorate the release of her Schumann album. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the May recital was canceled and rescheduled.

Son Yeol-eum named Schumann and Mozart as her favorite composers, and she will perform only Schumann's works at this recital. The pieces to be performed are "Kinderszenen," "Kreisleriana," "Fantasy," and "Arabeske," composed by Schumann between 1836 and 1839.

"Kinderszenen" is Schumann's first composition specifically for and about children. "Kreisleriana" was inspired by the German novelist E. T. A. Hoffmann's work "The Life and Opinions of the Tomcat Murr," and is characterized by Schumann's unique dreamy yet diverse emotional expression and dramatic structure. "Fantasy" expresses Schumann's anguish after falling in love with his teacher Wieck's daughter Clara but being unable to fulfill his wish due to his teacher's opposition. "Arabeske" is a bright and lovely piece composed after Clara became an adult at 18 and accepted his marriage proposal.

Son Yeol-eum gained worldwide attention by winning second prize at the 14th International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in 2011, along with the Best Performance Award for Mozart Concertos and the Best Performance Award for the commissioned piece. Recently, she has been actively engaged in various chamber music performances and collaborations, as well as serving as the artistic director of the PyeongChang Daegwallyeong International Music Festival. In addition, she communicates with audiences through diverse activities beyond performance, such as publishing the book "Letters from Hanover."

Son Yeol-eum's domestic performances include her first recital in 2013, a recital tour themed "Modern Times" in 2016, and this upcoming third recital. Following the Seoul performance, a nationwide tour is planned in Gimhae, Ulsan, Gangdong, Cheonan, and other cities. Tickets for Son Yeol-eum's solo recital will be available for sale from May 28 to 29.