Im Yunchan: "Winning a Competition Doesn't Mean Your Skills Improve"

Photo by Mok Production

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] "Winning a competition doesn't mean my skills have improved, so I will practice even harder."

On the 2nd of last month, Lim Yunchan (18, photo), who became the youngest winner of the 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the most prestigious music competition in North America, shared his thoughts.

Lim Yunchan appeared at a press conference held on the 30th at the Seoul Campus of Korea National University of Arts. Although he was briefly flustered by the media attention, he soon became immersed in the melody as he began to play. 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 this reason. Lim explained, "I played Bach with a feeling of dedicating my soul, so 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 Yunchan said, "Musicians in times without the internet found music between the score and themselves. Thanks to that, their own thoughts were more incorporated, resulting in original music."

This is also why he avoids listening to any other performances before a competition. He said, "Nowadays, it is 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 the purity of old performers is something to emulate."

He is also an avid reader. The book he enjoyed the most was Dante’s Divine Comedy. "In 2020, while performing the entire program 'Year of Pilgrimage: Italy' at Kumho Art Hall, I had to play the Dante Sonata, so I had to read it," he said. "I read almost all versions published by various publishers. I read it almost by heart."

Previously, Lim Yunchan said he wanted to "go into the mountains and just play the piano." His mentor, Professor Son Minsu of Korea National University of Arts, advised, "There is nothing to particularly worry about," but added, "I hope he makes music with consideration for those who want Yunchan’s music, putting the person first as a human being."

Lim Yunchan, who started piano at age seven, attended Yewon School and is currently enrolled at Korea National University of Arts. He made history as the youngest winner of the Cliburn International Piano Competition and achieved a triple crown by also winning the Best New Work Performance Award and the Audience Award.

Starting in July with performances in North America, concerts are scheduled in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan in November. On October 5th, he will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 with the One Korea Orchestra conducted by Chung Myung-whun at Lotte Concert Hall. Tickets for this concert will go on sale on the 1st at 2 p.m. The recital commemorating his competition victory will be held on December 10th at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center.