Despite Diminished Event and Ukraine Conflict, South Korean Musicians Excel at Prestigious Music Competition

International Tchaikovsky Competition

In a year overshadowed by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, eight South Korean classical musicians emerged as standout performers at the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition, garnering three first prizes among them. The event, once bustling with global talent, has seen diminished participation due to the ongoing conflict. Nonetheless, the remarkable success of South Korean musicians highlights their unwavering dedication to the art form.

Held biennially in both Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, the International Tchaikovsky Competition draws participants from diverse musical disciplines, including pianists, violinists, cellists, woodwind players, brass performers aged 16-32, and singers aged 19-32. This year, the competition witnessed a significant decline in the number of participants, reflecting concerns over safety and strained international relations.

Violinist Kim Gye-hee and cellist Lee Young-eun emerged as the Korean laureates in their respective instrumental music categories, both securing gold medals. Kim, the sole Korean participant in the violin category, delivered an awe-inspiring performance that left an indelible mark on the competition.

In the voice category, tenor Son Ji-hoon earned the gold prize, while Jeong In-ho received the second prize, which he shared with Russia's Maskim Lisiin. This recognition attests to the exceptional talent of South Korean singers and their ability to captivate audiences worldwide.

The competition also saw flutist Kim Ye-sung clinching the third prize in the specialty woodwind category. This category, introduced in 2019 along with the brass discipline, offered a platform for performers to showcase their unique skills. Kim's achievement solidifies South Korea's presence in various instrumental disciplines.

In the highly competitive cello discipline, South Koreans and Russians accounted for a majority of the award recipients. Park Sang-hyeong secured the bronze medal, while Lee Dong-yeol claimed fifth place. Both cellists honed their skills at the Korea National University of Arts under the guidance of esteemed instructor Lee Kang-ho, the dean of the instrumental department. Recognizing the scarcity of cello competitions, Lee emphasized the importance of fostering artistic exchanges, even amidst geopolitical tensions.

Out of the 236 musicians who participated this year, 16 hailed from South Korea. The competition attracted contestants from 23 countries, selected from a pool of 742 applicants. However, the number of participants dwindled compared to previous years, with 128 musicians representing Russia and a substantial surge in Chinese participants, increasing from nine to 48.

Since its establishment in 1958, the Tchaikovsky competition has served as a launching pad for numerous musicians to embark on international careers. Notably, Korean conductor Chung Myung-whun secured the second prize in piano in 1974, igniting a successful trajectory. Over the past two decades, South Korean musicians have made significant strides in the competition. In 2011, celebrated pianists Son Yeol-eom and Cho Seong-jin claimed the second and third prizes, respectively, while soprano Seo Sun-young and bass Park Jong-min triumphed as first prize winners in the voice category. Violinist Lee Ji-hye also garnered recognition, clinching the third prize.

This edition of the competition marked the first after the World Federation of International Music Competitions voted to exclude the Russian government-funded event due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in April 2022.

Sayart.net 

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com