Pianist Sehyun Kim Wins Competition While on Leave from Harvard
"Music and Literature Share the Same Essence... Planning to Major in English Literature"
On Her Resemblance to Yunchan Lim: "A Senior I Deeply Respect"
"I believe that the essence of music and literature is the same. I think that studying English literature has, in some way, helped my piano performance."
Pianist Sehyun Kim, 18, surprised the global classical music scene in March when she won the prestigious Long Thibaud International Piano Competition in France at the age of 18. Kim is also a freshman at the world-renowned Harvard University. She entered Harvard in September last year, completed one semester, and is currently on a leave of absence. During her leave, she participated in the competition and secured her future as a musician by winning.
At a press conference held at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on the 26th, Kim said, "Honestly, I participated in the competition without expecting any results, so I am very grateful for the overwhelming attention I have received."
Pianist Sehyun Kim, who won the Long Thibault International Competition last March, is sharing her thoughts at a press conference held at Sejong Center on the 26th. Photo by Credia
She said that she plans to study English literature at Harvard and believes it will help her piano performance.
"In the end, both writing and music are means of expression. I think that when artists try to bring their imagination or thoughts to life in the real world, both music and literature serve as tools for that purpose. Literature and music are deeply connected, and I believe their essence is the same."
Kim explained, "At Harvard, as far as I know, students can take any courses they want in their first year and choose a major at the start of their second year. I only took English literature courses in my first year, and I plan to declare English literature as my major in my second year."
The Long Thibaud Competition is an international contest founded in 1943 by French pianist Marguerite Long and violinist Jacques Thibaud. Typically, six prize winners are selected, but this year, the jury announced only five winners, leaving the second prize vacant. This was to emphasize how overwhelming Kim's performance was. At the time, Kim swept the first prize, the Audience Award, the Critics' Award, and the Paris Special Prize.
Kim explained that the charm of the city of Paris was one of the reasons she decided to participate in the competition. "Before entering the Long Thibaud Competition, I visited Paris for a performance. While walking along the Seine River at dusk, I felt an indescribable beauty."
Her teacher, Dang Thai Son, who in 1980 became the first Asian to win the Chopin Competition, also influenced her decision to enter the contest. "After I started studying with Dang Thai Son, I became deeply immersed in French music and Chopin's works. Since the Long Thibaud Competition is held in Paris and my teacher was also positive about it, I decided to participate." Kim is currently pursuing a master's degree in piano at the New England Conservatory, studying under Dang Thai Son and HaeSun Paik. "Dang Thai Son is extremely detail-oriented, while HaeSun Paik helps me see the bigger picture."
Kim also said she is currently captivated by the music of French composer Gabriel Faure. Before the press conference, she performed three pieces, two of which were by Faure. She explained that her debut album next year will feature Faure's piano pieces and works by Chopin, creating an album with a strong French character. Along with the release of her debut album next year, she also plans to embark on a nationwide tour.
Before that, she will meet Korean audiences for the first time since her competition victory, with performances scheduled for August 5 at Busan Concert Hall and August 8 at Seoul Arts Center IBK Chamber Hall. In addition, on July 14, Bastille Day in France, she will give a solo performance at the Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and on July 23, she will appear at the La Roque International Piano Festival.
Pianist Sehyun Kim, who won the Long Thibaud International Competition last March, is playing the piano at a press conference held at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on the 26th. Photo by Credia
Winning a world-class competition at the age of 18 is reminiscent of Yunchan Lim, who won the Van Cliburn International Competition in 2021. Both Kim and Lim performed Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in the finals and claimed the top prize.
Kim described Lim as "a senior I deeply respect." She added, "I heard Yunchan Lim perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in Boston and thought, 'Could anyone possibly play it better than this?'"
Kim stated that she has no plans to participate in further competitions and wants to focus on performing more.
"Of course, I am more drawn to performing than competing. Winning the competition has given me more opportunities to perform, which helps me grow as a musician. Each performance allows me to reflect on myself and provides a chance to develop further. That's why I feel an even greater sense of responsibility after winning the competition. It has definitely become a major motivation for me to grow as a musician."
When asked what kind of musician she wants to become, Kim replied, "Rather than giving a performance that amazes 1,000 or 2,000 people, I want to give a performance that changes the lives of one or two people."
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