Pianist Yunchan Lim playing Rachmaninov’s poignant Vocalise, in a transcription for piano solo by Yakov Zak.
South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim was just 18 years old in 2022 when he became the youngest-ever gold medalist at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. His profound and electrifying performance of the Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto at the competition finals had the conductor Marin Alsop brushing away tears, and the audience on their feet cheering on and on and on, long after the performance had ended. It has since become legendary–it is now the most viewed performance of that concerto.
Suprisingly perhaps, Lim wasn’t a baby prodigy, but rather began his piano studies at age 7. His incredible talent and genius, however, very quickly became evident. He has said: “I made up my mind that I will live my life only for the sake of music, and I decided that I will give up everything for music… I want my music to become deeper, and if that desire reaches the audience, I’m satisfied.” His music has done just that, moving and thrilling audiences all around the world. It’s almost unbelievable that a pianist still in his early twenties has such surpassing command, both of the music and his instrument. The Dallas Morning News called him a “one-in-a-million-talent.”
You can learn more about him here at his website: https://www.yunchanlimofficial.com/biography/#/
And enjoy his performance of the Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto at the finals of the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition here:
Yunchan Lim, pianist, with Marin Alsop conducting the Dallas-Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.