
The Cliburn
The Cliburn
June 17, 2022. Yunchan Lim from South Korea performs the final concert with Jury Chairman and Conductor Marin Alsop and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for the Finals of the Sixteenth Cliburn International Piano Competition in Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ralph Lauer)
There’s a kind of magic that happens when an artist transcends their age, weaving a blend of profound maturity and effortless brilliance into their craft. At just 20 years old, South Korean pianist Yunchan Lim is one of those rare musicians who has already captivated the classical world in ways many never will, even after decades. This year, his artistry has continued to leave audiences in awe, earning a mention in The New York Times as one of the standout classical performances of 2024.
Lim’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of meteoric. In 2022, he made history as the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, dazzling the world with a performance of Rachmaninoff’s “Third Concerto” that became an overnight sensation on YouTube. But since that defining moment, Lim has proven himself to be so much more than a prodigy. He’s a virtuoso, with a style that fuses emotional depth, technical brilliance, and a maturity far beyond his years.
This year, Lim’s interpretation of Chopin’s “24 Études” at Carnegie Hall was nothing short of a revelation. These pieces, notoriously challenging and emotionally complex, demand not just precision, but also the ability to convey their underlying poetry. Lim delivered both with the kind of clarity and elegance that few pianists achieve at any stage in their career, according to a Times reviewer. His February performance, followed by his April recording of the same works, earned him glowing praise for blending technical mastery with a deep, soulful expressiveness that makes each note feel as though it’s being sung directly to you.
In November, Lim returned to the stage at David Geffen Hall to perform Chopin’s “Piano Concerto in F Minor” with the New York Philharmonic. It’s one of the most beloved concertos in the repertoire, but Lim’s performance brought something fresh to it. Under the guidance of conductor Kazuki Yamada, Lim’s interpretation was filled with a dreamlike fluidity, especially in the “Larghetto” movement, where his delicate phrasing and shimmering control made the music feel suspended in time. There was a grace in his playing, a deep, unhurried elegance that’s becoming his hallmark, even at such a young age.

The Cliburn
The Cliburn
June 17, 2022. Yunchan Lim from South Korea performs the final concert with Jury Chairman and Conductor Marin Alsop and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for the Finals of the Sixteenth Cliburn International Piano Competition in Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ralph Lauer)
Lim’s work with Chopin may have caught the most attention, but his musicianship is more than impeccable technique and emotional depth. There’s a quiet wisdom in his playing — an awareness of how to make the notes linger without pushing them, how to let the music speak for itself. This understated mastery is what makes him one of the most exciting young artists today.
Lim wasn’t the only star shining at Geffen Hall this year. Kazuki Yamada, making his debut with the New York Philharmonic, “brought a perfect balance of energy and restraint to the performance,” a Times reviewer wrote. Yamada, who is currently the music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, led the Philharmonic through an eclectic program that included Dai Fujikura’s “Entwine” a tone poem of precision and depth, and Rachmaninoff’s “Second Symphony”.
As the year draws to a close, 2024 stands as a reminder that classical music is very much alive, thriving with new interpretations and fresh voices. Lim’s performances, particularly his Chopin, and Yamada’s poised debut with the New York Philharmonic, prove that the genre’s past and future can coexist in thrilling, unexpected ways.
Lim and Yamada are artists who are pushing the boundaries of classical music, breathing new life into its most cherished works while boldly making their mark on the future of the genre. As their careers continue to evolve, one thing is clear: we’re witnessing the emergence of two exceptional talents who are reshaping what it means to be a classical musician in the 21st century.