Yunchan Lim kicks off 2024 with major events in Korea, Japan and the US. On 25 and 26 January, he opened the Seoul Philharmonic’s season, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 “Emperor” under conductor Jaap van Zweden.
Hot off his announcement as global Apple Music “Artist Ambassador”, Yunchan thrilled the audience at the Apple Music Classical launch even in Seoul. As part of his ambassadorship, Yunchan created a ten-piece playlist called The Golden Age of Piano, featuring some of his favourite recordings including Ignaz Friedman’s “Etude, Op. 10,5,” Art Tatum’s “Humoresque” and Sergei Rachmaninov’s 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 5 in G Major.
He said, “It’s a playlist I can’t simply put into one phrase. These are all songs that helped open my eyes to what a real piano performance is, and what real music is. They all shocked me or gave me hope, so I hope other people will be able to feel the same emotions while listening to these songs.”
Speaking at the press conference at the Apple Myeongdong flagship store in Jung District, central Seoul, on Monday, 29 January, Yunchan said, “I’ve been using Apple Music since I was in ninth grade, and I’ve been able to discover new songs and masterpieces. It’s an honor to be able to collaborate with Apple Music after receiving so much help from it over the years.”
Yunchan is currently on a 6-day recital tour of Japan with pianist Masaya Kamei. He will perform an all-Chopin programme in Tokyo, Nagoya, Kawasaki and Osaka from 1 – 11 February.
