'Classics of Tomorrow' Piano Recital Series

The word "classic" originates from the Latin word "classicus," which referred to the highest social class or those belonging to it in ancient Rome. Over time, the term came to denote objects or achievements that possess lasting value, capable of enduring as exemplary works. In music, "classic" refers to works that have withstood the test of time.

In the 'Classics of Tomorrow' series, we aim to discover and perform works that have not yet been introduced on the national stage or are rarely performed. The primary focus will be on premiering new compositions by contemporary composers. Additionally, the series will include classic repertoire that holds significant importance in music history and piano literature, offering a comprehensive view of classical music's past, present, and future.

Through this series, performers will have the opportunity to actively explore new repertoire, while bringing intriguing modern works of artistic value closer to the public.
 
 Program

Franz Schubert
Impromptu Op. 90, D. 899, No. 1 in C minor (11')

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 (25')

I. Allegro con brio
II. Introduzione: Adagio molto
III. Rondo. Allegretto moderato

Intermission

Sae-ahm Kim (1987~ ) (7')
Un temps plein de lumière (2024, World Premiere)

I. Dim Light
II. ...lichtdurchflutet... (...flooded with light...)

Arvo Pärt (1935~ ) (5')
Für Alina (1976)

Maurice Ravel
Gaspard de la nuit (25')

I. Ondine
II. Le Gibet
III. Scarbo
 
 Profile

Pianist Jung Eun Yoon

Pianist Jung Eun Yoon graduated from Yewon School and attended Seoul Arts High School before moving to the United States, where she received a scholarship to study at the New England Conservatory's Preparatory School and completed her Bachelor's degree. She then earned her Master’s degree from The Juilliard School, also on scholarship. Later, she pursued her Doctorate at Seoul National University’s College of Music as a Teaching Assistant, receiving a full scholarship. Her dissertation, titled “Analysis and Performance Suggestions for the Complete Piano Études by György Ligeti (1985-2001)”, was supervised by Professors Hee-Young Choi and Min-Jung Lee.

From a young age, Yoon distinguished herself in major competitions, winning first prizes in the Sejong Music Competition, Music Chunchoo, Kukmin Ilbo-Hansei University Competition, and the Grand Prize at the Teenager Competition, among others. Internationally, she was awarded first place in the Concord Orchestra and New England Philharmonic Young Artist Competition, the special prize in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, first place in the International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition, third place in the Oberlin International Piano Competition, and won the NEC Piano Department Honors Competition, gaining recognition and valuable stage experience.

Pianist Jung Eun Yoon has performed extensively, beginning with her solo recital in the Kumho Young Artist Series in 2001. She has collaborated with the New England Philharmonic and Concord Orchestra and performed at various prestigious venues, including Jordan Hall in Boston, Alice Tully Hall and Paul Hall at Lincoln Center, and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York.

In 2018, she marked the start of her full-fledged activities in Korea with a solo recital at the Recital Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. Since then, she has given recitals at the TLI Art Center’s Young Musicians Series, Elim Sunday Concert, Sejong Chamber Hall, Hanam Arts Center, and collaborated with the Hanam Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Since 2014, Yoon has shown a keen interest in contemporary music, participating in Seoul National University’s Contemporary Music Project Studio2021 and Ensemble Academy, where she has performed and lectured, premiering new works by contemporary composers. She has also performed in the Sejong Soloists’ Hic et Nunc series, the Ilshin Prism Series, CCMF Changwon Contemporary Music Festival, SIENO Contemporary Music Society’s regular concerts, Chonnam National University Contemporary Music Festival, and composer Seung-Yeon Kim’s A New Night to Listen to the Piano. As a member of Trio Liberté, she has performed in the Lotte Concert Hall’s MUSIC KEEPS GOING series, Choi Yang-Up Hall’s Noon Concerts, Hwasung Cultural Foundation’s The H Concert, and the Saturday Concerts at the Fraum Instrument Museum, and has appeared on Hankyung arteTV, leaving a significant musical footprint across various genres and eras.

In 2021, with the support of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and the Arts Council Korea, Yoon initiated the Ligeti Piano Études Project. In 2023, commemorating Ligeti’s 100th birth anniversary, she became the first in Korea to perform all 18 of his Études. She participated in the Ligeti Forum hosted by the Liszt Hungarian Cultural Center in Korea and gave lectures at Kookmin University and Sookmyung Women’s University. In September 2024, she is scheduled to perform and lecture on her Ligeti Project at the invitation of the Peabody Institute in the U.S. Additionally, as a recipient of support from the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, she will continue to premiere works by contemporary composers in the newly launched Classics of Tomorrow series, exploring a broad repertoire that spans both classical and modern music.

Pianist Jung Eun Yoon has studied under Hee-Young Choi, Hye-Sun Paik, So-Yeon Ahn, and Mi-Kyung Kim in Korea, and with Wha Kyung Byun, Chung Mo Kang, and Matti Raekallio in the United States. She is also dedicated to education, having taught at the DMZ International Music Festival, EuroArts, Tulle Music, Yeoncheon MK Piano Camp, Kawai Festival, VMP Masterclass, and Ensemble Nova Online Workshop. She currently teaches at Kookmin University, Seoul National University, Sookmyung Women’s University, Hanyang University, Yewon School, and Seoul Arts High School.