'Van Cliburn Victory' Im Yunchan: "Nothing Has Changed... Always Play with the Same Heart"

Im Yunchan is performing Alexander Scriabin's 'Prelude Op.37 No.1' and the first movement 'Andante' of Piano Sonata No. 2 at Lee Kang-sook Hall, Korea National University of Arts, on the 30th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] "The mindset I had when I played Beethoven's No. 3 three years ago is the same now as it was then. I always perform with the same heart."

Yunchan Lim, who became the youngest winner at the 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, North America's most prestigious music competition, on the 2nd, answered this way when asked if his skills had improved compared to when he performed Beethoven No. 3 in the finals three years ago. He was not shaken by sudden fame. He emphasized, "Winning the competition doesn't mean my skills have improved, so I will practice even harder."

At a press conference held on the 30th at the Seocho Campus of Korea National University of Arts, Yunchan Lim appeared youthful. He was shy and hesitant even greeting in front of the camera, but once he started playing, he quickly immersed himself in the melody. He placed his hands on the keys as if pouring out his soul.

The long silence between Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 during this year's competition was for that reason. Lim explained, "Because I played Bach with a feeling of dedicating my soul, it was difficult to immediately move on to Scriabin."

He is more inspired by early 20th-century masters than by contemporary performers. Because their originality stands out more. Lim said, "Musicians in times without the internet found music between the score and themselves. Thanks to that, their own thoughts were more involved, resulting in original music."

This is also why he refrains from listening to any other performances before a competition. He said, "Nowadays, it's easy to listen to others' performances on YouTube, and I have experienced moments of unconsciously imitating performances I liked. That is something to be cautious about, and I think the purity of old performers is something to emulate."

Lim is also an avid reader. The book he enjoyed the most was Dante's "Divine Comedy." "In 2020, while performing the entire 'Year of Pilgrimage: Italy' at Kumho Art Hall, I had to play the Dante Sonata, so I had to read Dante's Divine Comedy," he said. "I read almost every published version available in the market. I read it almost by heart."

Previously, Lim said he wanted to "go into the mountains and just play the piano." His mentor, Professor Son Minsu of Korea National University of Arts, said, "There is nothing special to worry about," but advised, "Although finding answers to unsolved problems through the piano is a daily routine, I hope Yunchan continues his music with consideration for those who want his music, putting the person first as a human being."

Yunchan Lim, who started piano at age seven, attended Yewon School and is currently enrolled at Korea National University of Arts. At the age of 18, he became the youngest winner of this year's Cliburn International Piano Competition. He also won the Best New Artist Award and the Audience Award, achieving a triple crown at the competition.

Performances are scheduled starting in July in North America, followed by Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan in November. The recital commemorating his competition victory in Korea will be held on December 10 at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center.