Decca Classics has announced the release of celebrated pianist Lim Yunchan's recording of "June: Barcarolle" on major streaming platforms this Friday, ahead of the full album release of Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, which is scheduled for August 22, 2024. The track, which is the sixth piece in the album, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the young virtuoso.
This new album will be Lim's second release of the year, following his highly praised debut studio album, Chopin: Etudes. The Tchaikovsky: The Seasons album was recorded at the iconic Menuhin Hall in Surrey, England, during a two-day session on July 31 and August 1, 2024.
Rather than simply presenting the traditional twelve-part cycle as a representation of the changing seasons, Lim has reinterpreted the work as a profound meditation on the final year of a human life. According to Decca, the album aims to reflect the poignant journey of human experience as one faces both the weight of the past and the inevitability of the future.
In a statement, Lim explained, “Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons captures the final year of a human life. The first piece, 'By the Hearth,' evokes the imagery of a dying fire, pulling listeners into a deep sense of sorrow. At first, the emotions stem from a confusion of memories, but as the music progresses, a sense of hope slowly emerges. The listener is taken on a journey of memories, dreams, and the eventual acceptance of the inevitable passage of time, symbolized by the sound of a bell.”
The artwork accompanying the album cover, titled What Is the Weight of a Petal?, was created by Lim's close friend, Korean artist Choi Ho-yeon. The image beautifully complements the contemplative and wistful tone of the music, with Lim sharing on social media, "Choi Ho-yeon’s work captures the fleeting and tender memories that this music evokes, resurrecting them as eternal reverie."
This album follows Lim's earlier achievements this year, which include the release of the live recording of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 from the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where he won the prestigious first prize at just 18 years old. Lim's 2024 studio debut, Chopin: Etudes, garnered widespread critical acclaim and swept three categories at the BBC Music Magazine Awards.
Fans can now stream Lim’s June: Barcarolle on major platforms, with the full album release of Tchaikovsky: The Seasons set for August 22, 2024.
Sayart / Kang In sig insig6622@naver.com
