Pianist Jae-Hyouk Lee

Pianist Jae-Hyouk Lee is recognized as one of Korea’s first-generation artists with disabilities, having contributed as both a performer and an educator, and establishing himself as a pioneer in the field. This project represents the first-ever complete performance of Beethoven’s Piano Trios by an artist with disabilities, a bold and challenging series that transcends musical perfection to present a profound artistic exploration and interpretation.

Beethoven’s piano trios are among the most significant works in his chamber music repertoire, highlighting both the organic interplay and independence of each instrument. In particular, this project bears deep meaning as it reinterprets the spirit of Beethoven, who overcame his own disability while realizing his artistic ideals. Through this series, Lee not only reveals the artistic depth of a seasoned musician but also seeks to create an intergenerational artistic tradition by performing alongside his disciples and colleagues, violinist Jisun Kim and cellist Minju Kim.

Lee graduated first in his class from the College of Music at Chung-Ang University, later earning his Master’s degree at the New England Conservatory of Music, and his Doctorate at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. During his studies, he won a prize at the CCM Chamber Music Competition, performed with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, and released a recording under Sony Classical.

His career highlights include a solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall, and concerto collaborations with the New Jersey Philharmonic Orchestra, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the KBS Symphony Orchestra, the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.

After returning to Korea, Lee served as conductor of the orchestra at the Department of Special Education of the Hanbit School for the Blind and later as a piano professor, nurturing many visually impaired musicians. More recently, together with his students-turned-colleagues, violinist Jisun Kim and cellist Minju Kim, he has formed the Hanbit Trio J. With them, he performed Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in its entirety with the New Jersey Youth Symphony Orchestra and embarked on a concert tour of the Czech Republic and Austria, offering audiences a moving artistic journey across generations.

At the age of 15, Lee became the youngest blind pianist to hold a solo recital at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, showcasing the depth of his musical artistry early on. Today, as a distinguished mid-career musician, he continues his artistic path and has been recognized with several honors, including the Mayor of Seoul Award and a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

  

Violinist Jisun Kim

After graduating from the Korea National University of Arts, violinist Jisun Kim continued her studies in the United States, earning a Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music. She has won numerous competitions, including the Ewha & Kyunghyang Music Competition, Sunhwa Music Competition, Music Chunchu Competition, and Vivace Music Festival Competition. She also received the Grand Prize at the Tokyo Helen Keller Music Competition, was named Bella Music Festival International Competition Winner, and 2018 GMP International Competition Winner.

Kim has been invited to perform twice at Carnegie Hall (2018, 2019), was the VSA Young Soloists International Competition Winner in Washington, D.C., and gave a recital at the Kennedy Center. She has also performed solo recitals at leading venues in Korea such as Kumho Art Hall, Lotte Concert Hall, the Seoul Arts Center Recital Hall, and the Sejong Center Chamber Hall.

She was the winner of the 1st Seoul International Music Competition for the Blind, and is currently engaged in a complete Beethoven Violin Sonata series. Alongside her active performance career, she is a member of the Hanbit Arts Ensemble and teaches at the Hanbit School for the Blind, mentoring the next generation of musicians.
 

 
Cellist Minju Kim

Cellist Minju Kim graduated from the Seoul Arts High School and earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Korea National University of Arts. She has been awarded the Grand Prize at the National Arts Competition for Artists with Disabilities and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award at the National Arts Festival for Artists with Disabilities.

Kim has performed with orchestras including the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, the Jeonju Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Seoul Orchestra. She has also appeared internationally, including at the United Nations Headquarters Conference in New York, and has performed in China, Japan, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, and beyond. As a member of the Hanbit Trio J, she collaborated with the New Jersey Youth Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto.

Currently, she is pursuing graduate studies at Ewha Womans University while serving as principal cellist of the Hanbit Arts Ensemble, a member of Hanbit Trio J, the Heart Chamber Orchestra, Beautiful Mind Ensemble, and the View Ensemble sponsored by Meritz Capital.
 
 
 L. v. Beethoven (1770-1827)

Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 97 "Archduke"

1. Allegro moderato

2. Scherzo: Allegro

3. Andante cantabile ma però con moto – Poco piu adagio

4. Allegro moderato – Presto

 
Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 1 No. 1

1. Allegro

2. Adagio cantabile

3. Scherzo: Allegro assai

4. Finale: Presto

 
Piano Trio in B-flat major, Op. 11 "Gassenhauer"

1. Allegro con brio

2. Adagio

3. Tema con variazioni: Pria ch’io l’impegno