Yunchan Lim reunites with Minsoo Sohn for a Mozart dialogue in Seoul

A piano dialogue between mentor and disciple will resonate through the Lotte Concert Hall. Pianist Yunchan Lim will take the stage alongside his teacher, Minsoo Sohn. The KBS Symphony Orchestra announced that it will hold a special concert to commemorate its 70th anniversary on the 22nd at 8 PM at the Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul.

Yunchan Lim and Minsoo Sohn: A Teacher-Student Bond Since 2017

The core of this performance is the ensemble to be presented by the two pianists. They will perform Mozart's 'Concerto for Two Pianos No. 10,' which he composed for his sister Nannerl. It is a piece where two performers synchronize their breathing and engage in a musical conversation to complete a single work of music.

The connection between the two dates back to 2017. Yunchan Lim built his musical foundation under the tutelage of Minsoo Sohn, and when Minsoo Sohn was appointed as a professor at the New England Conservatory in the United States, Yunchan Lim followed his mentor to study abroad. Yunchan Lim concluded one stage of this journey this past May by graduating from the New England Conservatory's soloist program. This stage serves as a moment where the disciple, who grew under his teacher's guidance to become a world-class artist, stands side-by-side with his mentor once again to showcase their musical fruits. High interest in the performance was already proven when all seats sold out immediately upon ticket opening in early June.

A Program Spanning from Mozart Overtures to Dvořák

The concert program traverses the Classical and Romantic eras. The first half opens with the overture to Mozart's opera 'Don Giovanni.' Following this, the highlight of the first half will be Mozart's 'Concerto for Two Pianos No. 10,' capturing the musical dialogue between teacher and student.

In the second half, Dvořák's Symphony No. 8 will be performed. It is considered the most optimistic of Dvořák's works, characterized by bright and vibrant melodies that embody a love for nature and life. This piece was selected as the finale for the commemorative concert of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, which has been with the public for the past 70 years.

Japanese conductor Masato Suzuki will lead this special concert. Masato Suzuki is a maestro currently serving as the principal conductor of Bach Collegium Japan (BCJ) and the associate conductor of the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra. Sponsored by Woori Card, this performance is a stage presented by the KBS Symphony Orchestra, encapsulating 70 years of history.