Yunchan Lim is a pianist from Siheung, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He was born on March 20, 2004 is 18 years old this year. He became the youngest winner of the prestious Van Cliburn International Pian Competition.
The 18 years old pianist, who is a student at the Korea university of Arts, Seoul, nabbed the gold medal in the finals of 2022 Van Cliburn competition in Fort Worth , Texas. The Van Cliburn competion was founded in 1962 to honor American pianist Van Cliburn, the first winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition held in 1958. It is know as one of the most prestigious piano competitions in North America, and attracted 388 applicants this year.
If you see the competition, it's like that he was 'a time traverler' from 18th or 19th century. Lim Yun-chan put on a truly overwhelming performance of ability at the competition. When he was reached the finals, along the five other contestants, his selections were Beethoven's Pian Converto No.3 and Rachmaninoff's Piano concerto No. 3. his performance of the latter of those pieces, which was streamed live on YouTube, was showered with praise.
One of the expression for his performce is that from a pianist Cho Eun-ah, "I think this was a monumental performance that ought to be treasureed by the global music stablishment in 2022. I've taken pride in Korea's Cho Seong-jin, regarding him as a pianist that heaven sent down to earth. And now it's thrilling to think that heaven has sent us another pinanist."
Lim Yun-chan stil has a boyish look, which is echoed by his fondness for 80s-era pop star Yoo Jae-ha. But has been studying under the pianist Sohn Min-soo at the Korea National University of Arts since 2017. Sohn also has dubbed his pipul the "time traverler," because "his imersion in music reminds me of someone living in the 18th or 19th century. And Sohn described him as "born to perform."
Another person who took a special interest in Lim was Martin Alsop(Aged 66), chair of the jury of this year's competition as well as the condector of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra during the final round. Following his performance in the finals, Also wiped away tears as she embraced Lim backstage. It was the most touching moment of the the competition to me.
Lim Yun-chan said that if it's too tiring, he goes outside and counts to 10, and goes back in to practice again. This attitude as a young man may show his speechless performance for the budensome piece like the Mazeppa. another point that surpised me was that he have never studied in the Western country which was known the origin of the Western music.
It also has been a common sence that studying in one of the western countries like Paris or Germany is the key to become a world top teer pianist. At this time he looked he has broken this rule. Lim Yun-chan has showned that the practice and concentration on the performance is only way to become to be one of world best pianists.
This outstanding result that he took became a mile stone for music students in South Koera, who want to be a world level pianist becase they realized that they are not limited by their environments they are in. Hope they do their best in the music world.