Cellist Han Jaemin, Youngest Winner Ever of the Enescu Competition in Romania

Cellist Han Jaemin. (Photo by Kumho Cultural Foundation)

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Kumho Cultural Foundation announced on the 15th (local time) that Han Jaemin, a Kumho Young Artist alumnus, won first place in the cello category at the 2020 George Enescu International Competition held in Bucharest, Romania. This is the youngest first-place winner in the history of the competition across all instrument categories.

Born in 2006, cellist Han Jaemin received a first prize cash award of 15,000 euros (approximately 20.5 million KRW) and various performance opportunities, including an invitation to the 2022 George Enescu Festival. Han Jaemin expressed his feelings about the award, saying, "I am very happy to receive such a huge prize that I never imagined," and added, "I will become a person who works harder and studies more."

Han Jaemin performed at the 2018 Kumho Young Artist Concert and has won first place at the 2017 David Popper International Cello Competition and the 2019 Dottzauer International Cello Competition. He has collaborated with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, and Seongnam Philharmonic Orchestra, and has appeared on stages such as the Pyeongchang Daegwallyeong Music Festival, The House Concert, and the 2021 Kumho Young Artist Opening Concert. Han Jaemin studied under Jeong Kyung-hwa and Lee Kang-ho at the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts and has been studying under Lee Kang-ho since entering the Korea National University of Arts as a gifted student this year.

The competition, originally scheduled for last year, was extended to this year due to the impact of COVID-19. The competition retained the name "2020 George Enescu International Competition" without reflecting the year change. Considering the COVID-19 situation, the first and second rounds of the finals were held online from August 30 to September 19 last year. The semifinals and finals took place from the 13th at the Athenaeum Musical Theater in Bucharest, Romania. Second place was awarded to Sebastian Fritsch from Germany, and third place to Stefan Cazacu from Romania. The violin finals will be held on May 19, and the piano finals on May 23.

The George Enescu International Competition is part of the George Enescu Festival, the largest of its kind in Eastern Europe. It was established in 1958 to commemorate George Enescu, a Romanian-born composer and violinist. Initially, the competition was held for violin and piano categories. Later, vocal and composition categories were added, and it was held every three years until 1971. Since 2009, the cello category has been added, and the competition is held every two years across four categories: piano, violin, cello, and composition.

The George Enescu International Competition has produced many renowned musicians such as violinists Silvia Marcovici, Alexandru Tomescu, Valery Sokolov, pianists Radu Lupu, Dmitri Alexeev, and Ariel Bardi. Korean winners in the past include Kumho Young Artist alumnus pianist Son Jungbum (second place without first in 2011), violinists Shin Ara (second place in 2009), Bae Wonhee (third place in 2014), Kim Gyehee (first place in 2016), Kim Donghyun (second place in 2016), and cellist Hong Eunseon (first place in 2014).