Don't miss pianist Sunwoo Yekwon at Zankel Hall on May 2, 2025, at 7:30 PM

Korean pianist Sunwoo Yekwon

Shortly before his upcoming piano recital at Zankel Hall tomorrow evening, I enjoyed catching up with the 2017 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist, Sunwoo Yekwon, during a brief Midtown Manhattan lunch date. I heard the South Korean pianist perform during the PYPA festival and competition for young pianists, founded by Ching-Yun Hu, a friend of Sunwoo, shortly after his sensational win at the Van Cliburn. I remember his distinctively complete musical vision and masterful execution at the piano, at once impressive but more than that, rather magical, and how he could coax the most beautiful colors from the keyboard.

I also vividly recall his playful demeanor at the piano, a curious sense of awe and wonder. He was wholly immersed in the process but also fully present. He seemed to bring this awareness of the moment in time to completely different things that captivated his attention.

With great affection, during this week's lunch, he showed me a trick he had watched on a TikTok video, gently rubbing a salt and pepper shaker out of glass against each other’s backs, rather than vehemently shaking the saltshaker. This made the salt come out in a steady, even stream, without using any effort. It's all about a specific movement without tension, technique versus strain, inventiveness over the mundane, and perhaps redefining the expectations of one’s perception. These elements, of course, are daily components of the genial pianist’s toolbox.

As he admits, his biggest challenge is the less creative aspect of organizing the many logistics, concert dates, travels to and from concert performances, and keeping track of his programs. Even though he received management right after winning competitions and there were several wins before the Van Cliburn, including the German Piano Prize in 2015, it was difficult for him to handle his limited time.  

The years following Van Cliburn's limelight were all about seizing the moment, especially when he traveled immensely, draining him physically and mentally. It was easy to misjudge how little time he had to study the upcoming repertoire, and it happened occasionally; he would end up winging a performance, which he never wants to have to do again. However, it is a reality if one deals internationally with more than 100 performances.  Now, with travel to around 50 concerts a year, this commitment makes for a much more realistic lifestyle.

Leaving South Korea for the US at age fifteen has given him incredible independence early on, which he relies on. “Being on my own makes me more productive,” he explains. “To be able to present myself in the best way possible, I kind of have to be all by myself,” he feels.

For some time now, he has made his home in Berlin Mitte, the older, former Eastern part of Berlin’s Soviet Sector, not far from the beautiful Museumsinsel, a time capsule of culture.

“It is easy to lose oneself when you are constantly on the go, and with constant travel, it can make you feel scattered all over the place,” he explains. As he hurries off to a run-through of his program, he is focused and aware of the importance of his inner composure; he once again will redefine those exceptional moments of beauty he creates in the company of his instrument.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s program, presented by Korea Mecenat Assoc. and Korea Music Foundation:

R. SCHUMANN Fantasy in C Major, Op. 17

CHOPIN Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60

C. SCHUMANN Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann

RACHMANINOFF Moments musicaux