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Pianist Youn Hong-chun to have all-Mozart sonata concert

Pianist Youn Hong-chun to have all-Mozart sonata concert

Posted July. 10, 2018 07:58,   

Updated July. 10, 2018 07:58

한국어

“The pieces by Mozart are what pianists love the most but at the same time find most difficult to play. They are such perfect pieces that we can never feel at ease.”

Pianist Youn Hong-chun, 36, said in an interview held at Kumho Art Hall last Friday and compared playing Mozart’s piano pieces to singers singing “Because I Love You” by Yoo Jae-ha. Yoon has released an album of Mozart Sonatas every year since 2013, creating a sensation in the European classical music industry. He will have four performances at Kumho Art Hall in July and November under the title, “Youn Hong-chun, Dear Mozart.”

Youn has put Mozart Sonatas into groups, considering which pieces would go together well with which pieces. He will play Sonata No. 10, 11, 17, Fantasy in C minor, and 14 on Thursday and play Sonata No. 4, 16, 3, 9, and Sonata in F major on next Thursday. Youn said he wanted to express different characters in different melodies.

“I think Mozart has humane qualities. There are diverse characters well expressed in his operas, ranging from a lonely woman who cannot get love from a Count to an angry man to a cruel man. Such characters are also expressed in Mozart’s piano Sonatas as well.”

Youn’s Mozart Sonatas album, which was released by Oehms Classics music label, was named Editor’s Choice recordings by the Gramophone magazine, a British classical music magazine, and granted Supersonic Award by Luxembourg’s Pizzicato magazine. Youn has mostly performed on the international stage, collaborating with prestigious orchestras such as the Munich Philharmonic. He received “Young Artist Award” from the Minister of Culture in Bayern, Germany in 2011. Youn is more of a performer rather than a prize winner.

“About 200 pianists participate in large-scale musical contests. And the winner is usually someone who doesn’t have weaknesses rather than someone who has many strengths. But the audience loves someone who is attractive for having many personalities. Looking back, performing on stage has helped me becoming a pianist I am today.”

Youn, who has a gentle voice, says he loves to do many things other than playing the piano, such as watch dramas such as “House of Cards,” play tennis, practice yoga and grow plants. He says these hobbies have connection to music and have a lot to learn from like patience and concentration.

“I have neither been brought into sudden prominence nor showed innovative music, but I try to give a meaning to music and express it in my own way,” Youn said. “I hope I can continue to have concerts and express music in my own way.”


Yeun-Kyung Cho yunique@donga.com