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Has the result of a classical music competition ever been such a topic of discussion?

This is the story of the Van Cliburn Competition that 18-year-old Yunchan Lim won.

Yunchan Lim's final video of playing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 surpassed 1 million views on YouTube in just one day, and all domestic concerts where he was scheduled to appear sold out in an instant.

The contest is over, but related articles continue.

His mentor, Professor Son Min-su of the Korea National University of Arts, is also said to be flooded with interview requests.

It's true that the classical music world was thirsty for public interest, so I'm glad to see this situation, but on the other hand, Lim Yun-chan, who only thinks about music to the extent that he says, 'I want to go into the mountains and play only the piano,' and is a 'student with a lot to learn', is very I also think that it would be nice not to be in a situation where people feel burdened by their intense interest.



Before the announcement of the results of the Van Cliburn Competition, I belatedly watched the video of Yunchan Lim's press conference attended by local reporters.

He was busy writing articles that day, so he couldn't watch all of these videos.

There were many stories that once again confirmed what kind of performer Lim Yun-chan was.

His career ambitions are not 0.1%, he still has a lot to study, and everyone in front of music is a student.


"Collaborating with Marine Alsopp, it's like a dream"

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Q. Congratulations on getting here.

Two questions.

First of all, I would like to ask you a question about what your experience was with the conductor Marine Alsop, and how you were able to perform so unitedly with the orchestra in such a short time.


A. First of all, the reason I first saw Marin Alsopp was when I was very young to be conducting the Queen Elizabeth Competition for the first time, so I think it is very dreamy to play here.



When I was doing these three great concertos, I first opened my heart to the orchestra members, and the orchestra members tuned in to me, so I was able to immerse myself in the music and play.



Q. Do you plan to study abroad?


A. I'm studying in Korea right now, but I'm thinking about whether I'll have to leave someday, but I still have a really great teacher in Korea (Professor Minsu Son, Korea National University of Arts), so I think I'll have to talk to the teacher after this contest.



Q. How did you get into music in the first place, who influenced you, and who influenced you in creating your musical identity?


A. The reason I started playing the piano was that there was a piano academy in my apartment complex, for example, all my friends go to Taekwondo academy, but I am not doing anything, so I wanted to try something, so I went to the piano academy, and then this music It has improved a lot, and I think that's why I've come this far.



Regarding the musical identity question, first of all, my teacher influenced me the most, and when I look at old artists, I always thought that the artist could see the light because there were great artists friends around them, so my friends also It made a huge impact.


"There is no 0.1% ambition for a career"

Q. Do you have any career ambitions and how will winning a medal here affect your achievement?


A. I have lived my life for music in a slightly different way, so my dream is to actually give up everything and just go to the mountain and play the piano, but if that happens, I have no income, so I have no choice but to do this. is a person with no 0.1%, and the reason I came out of this contest is just because I will become an adult in Korea next year, and I want to check how mature my music is before I become an adult. I think it doesn't matter at all because I have a lot to study in the future, regardless of my rank in the competition.



Q. Why did you choose all the Songs from the Transcendental Skills training list in the semifinals, and did you have any special practice to play them?


A. Actually, there was a recital opportunity for this song last year, and I was thinking about what kind of program I should do at that time, and I wanted to do a song on a list that no one usually challenges. It's 60 minutes, but it's also 60 minutes, so I decided to make this song because I thought it would be okay if I played this song.



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The highlight was that I practiced to my heart's content until 4 in the morning

Q. Can you tell us a few highlights of your special experience after coming here?

For example, having tasted new food or had the opportunity to meet new pianist friends...


A. Perhaps the reason there was no highlight was that I practiced almost 12 hours a day, so it is true that I did not have a chance to wander around or try food. I did, but they always said it was okay if I had to sleep, and when I practiced, they responded to the music I practiced. In fact, that was the biggest highlight I experienced while here.

Because in Korea, I live in an apartment and if I practice until 4 in the morning, big things happen, so I think that was the biggest highlight.

(*His host family sat next to the moment the winner was announced. The people who were thrilled as if they were their own work were also impressive.)



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Q. How many hours a day do you practice?


A. Rather than a few hours a day, I just practice all day.



Q. How many hours in elementary school?


A. I think it was about 5 hours in elementary school, and when I entered middle school (Yewon Middle School), I had a very long commute, so I came home at around 7 pm.

So I practiced until 2 in the morning, so I practiced for about 6 hours and 7 hours.


“I am very lacking…in front of music, everyone is a student”

Q. You said you came here because you wanted to check how well I was doing. After playing last night, how do you feel about your position now?


A. Actually, on all the stages of the Cliburn Competition, I thought that only about 30% of the practice I practiced came out, because I played better during practice, so I feel very sorry for it.

I think it's very lacking.

Since everyone is still a student in front of music, I don't think I'm in a certain position, and I feel a greater desire to learn more through the contest.



(Photo=Cliburn Foundation/Mok Production provided, Van Cliburn Foundation Twitter capture, Yonhap News)