Youngest Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Winner Signs Exclusive Deal with Decca Classics

Courtesy of Universal Music Group

Pianist Lim Yunchan, the youngest winner ever of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, showcased his talent at the Apple Music Classical press conference on Jan. 29. During the event, he performed three Chopin Etudes: Op. 25, No. 1 “Aeolian Harp;” Op. 10, No. 5 “Black Keys;” and Op. 25, No. 11 "Winter Wind."

Lim's exclusive playlist on the Apple Music Classical app, titled "The Golden Age of Piano," includes Ignaz Friedman's rendition of Chopin 12 Etudes and performances by artists such as Dinu Lipatti, Art Tatum, Mark Hambourg, and Youri Egorov. 

▲ A limited edition fan pack of Lim Yunchan's first Decca album "Chopin Etudes" / Courtesy of Universal Music Group

His Carnegie Hall debut on Wednesday featured all 27 of Chopin’s etudes, and the audience response led to four encores. This performance served as a sneak peek into his upcoming Decca debut album, "Yunchan Lim: Chopin Etudes," scheduled for release on April 19.

Prior to the Carnegie Hall debut, Decca Classical unveiled a preview single from the album, Chopin’s Op. 10 No. 3, "Tristesse." The album will consist of 24 tracks, and Lim signed an exclusive recording deal with Decca in October the previous year.

▲ Lim Yun-chan / Courtesy of Universal Music GroupIn a statement released by Universal Music Group, Lim expressed his admiration for pianists like Alfred Cortot, Ignaz Friedman, Joseph Lhevinne, Mark Hambourg, and Sergio Fiorentino, stating that they are a vast universe to him. He chose Chopin's Etudes to follow in their footsteps.

Lim's debut album with Decca pays homage to the golden age of Decca pianists in the 1960s, featuring film-shot photographs and the vintage Decca vinyl logo. Decca Classics will offer two versions of the album: a limited and exclusive edition fan pack, already sold out in Korea, and a regular edition.

Following the album release, Lim will embark on a nationwide recital tour in June, starting at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul on June 7 and concluding at Seoul Arts Center on June 22. The tour includes performances in Cheonan, Daegu, Tongyeong, Bucheon, and Gwangju.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com