Yunchan Lim 임윤찬 – RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30 – 2022 Cliburn Competition

Still listening in 2024

2024년에도 들으러 온다

I have listened to this recording many times now. There are hundreds of comments available about the work Yunchan does, as well as interviews, newspaper reviews and listener comments about this and the subsequent versions he has made of it with other conductors. Comments about his relative youth, and his seemingly freakish ability are easy to find. In one interview he really supplies his own explanation for his work, claiming that all the answers lie in the music. And he is so right. Of course he has enormous technical skills as well as an incredible capacity for very hard work. I fancy his IQ , including its literary, emotional and musical components, is extraordinary, BUT HE ALSO EMPLOYS IT TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL as he approaches any musical composition. He reveres the composers themselves and also delves into their histories. So Yunchan doesn't need to be old, have huge life experience, be entranced or possessed in order to perform as well as he does. This also explains what he means by' improvisation' as he plays-he doesn't rest on his laurels between performances but rereads and reinterprets the composers' intentions as new insights are revealed from the music. Occasionally he embellishes scores slightly, very fittingly, where he feels it will enhance the work-make it clearer. It is therefore the composers' knowledge, insights, life-experiences, moods, and intentions he reads from their works and uses his wonderful talents to present them to us as clearly as he is able. They are the old souls, but Yunchan has it within his DNA and young life experience to make it his business to know and honour them. Thank you universe.

I am 79 and retired from a 55 year very busy studio singing career. I was raised in a very talented musical family, my mother was a concert pianist at 16 and my father had a legendary studio singing career. So music is my DNA and my soul. This performance is the absolute best I have ever experienced. God bless this brilliant young man ❤❤❤

Just saw him play this live at Hollywood Bowl. Absolutely epic!!

He is not a genius; he is music itself.

매일매일 듣는 사람 손🙌

After listening to this one so many times, I can't listen to any other Rachmaninoff 3 anymore.

This is history.

The only downside to this video is that I can't listen to it as background music while working. I try to work while listening, but I can't stop myself from watching the video.

아무리 힘들어도 오래 살아남아서 이 연주를 더 많이 들어야 한다는 욕망이 생겼습니다

I watched the competition live on TV, all pianists. Even before this performance, Mr Lim’s work made everyone else’s fade into the background. But then came the Rach 3 and I was mesmerised. I’ve been a pianist for 60 years, following so many different artists and attending so many concerts around the world. I’ve never heard anything as perfect and emotionally draining as this performance. Even now, after dozens of viewings, I’m still brought to tears. He’s a wonder. I am waiting eagerly for his first CD from Decca.

I am one of the biggest contributors of 12M views, but still watching this video 😊

Prior to the performance, the audience would have no idea that they were about to witness a historical performance of this music from a 18 year old pianist in a competition. Lucky people!

In the pre-World War I years of Europe, amidst the social and political upheavals of the time, Crimean-Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff's genius did not initially receive the full recognition it deserved in New York, even up until the war's end in 1919. I believe it took pianist Yunchan Lim to truly convey the message Rachmaninoff embedded within his music – a message to humanity that transcended years. For too long, brilliant pianists focused on the Rach 3's technical virtuosity, overlooking its soul and deeper meaning. Yunchan, however, provided the key to unlocking the world of inner turmoil Rachmaninoff experienced during his composition. He masterfully revealed how beauty the life and world can be and how easily consumed by the darkness of human ambitions that pave the way conflict and devastation. Yunchan's fingertips brought to life the composer's longing and profound remembrance of his homeland, the war frenzy that gripped the people, and the ultimate societal devastation. With his performance, Rachmaninoff's emotions became tangible, visible, and palpable. It was a privilege and a joy to witness a young genius and his masterful interpretation of a legendary compposition by another genius. From the depths of our hearts, we extend our gratitude: first to Yunchan Lim (- May Allah always protect him from the evil eye 🧿--) and his family, then to the Korean Society and the State that nurture such talent, a timeless legend for the world stage, and finally to the Cliburn Competition for inspiring and motivating young talents to enrich human civilization. We eagerly await and hope that we will find the opportunity to witness Yunchan Lim's artistry Türkiye in our lifetime. 🎶

Who else is back here after BSO Feb 2024 concert?

The audience was on their feet and I realised my hand was over my mouth, tears streaming. This young man is a powerful magician.

It needs to warning of addiction. This performance takes me another world for a few hours every single day.

귀를 정화 하려고 가끔씩 방문해서 치료하고 갑니다.

I’ve been a professional musician since age 9. That’s 70 years, and this is the best performance of anything I have ever experienced. There are no other words.❤❤❤