Pianist Sun Ho Lee: German & Russian Musical Journey Series II

In May 2025, pianist Sun Ho Lee delivered a deeply resonant performance with his delicate touch and explosive energy in the first concert of his musical journey themed “Germany and Russia.” This winter, he continues the second chapter of that exploration.
Presented at the Recital Hall of the Seoul Arts Center, this program captures Lee’s distinctive musical spectrum, where the intimate reflections of German Romanticism intersect with the intense expression of Russian Modernism.

The concert opens with “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland”, Bach’s spiritually profound chorale prelude, reimagined through Busoni’s lens. It is followed by Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes Op. 13, a masterpiece embodying poetic struggle between selfhood and variation—an ideal setting for Lee’s nuanced sensitivity and structural clarity to shine.

In the latter half, Brahms’s Klavierstücke Op. 119, imbued with the distilled lyricism of his later years, unfolds a romantic depth where solitude, consolation, and fervor intertwine. The finale of the evening will be Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 6—a work of relentless rhythm, tension, and explosive force forged in the era of war. This will mark the apex of Lee’s technical prowess and dramatic expressiveness, commanding the full attention of his audience.

Program

J. S. Bach (1685–1750) / F. Busoni (1866–1924)
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, Chorale Prelude BWV 659

R. Schumann (1810–1856)
Symphonic Etudes Op. 13
(including Posthumous Variations)

INTERMISSION

J. Brahms (1833–1897)
Klavierstücke Op. 119
I. Intermezzo
II. Intermezzo
III. Intermezzo
IV. Rhapsody

S. Prokofiev (1891–1953)
Piano Sonata No. 6 in A Major, Op. 82
I. Allegro moderato
II. Allegretto
III. Tempo di valzer lentissimo
IV. Vivace

 
 
 
Performer Profile

Pianist Sun Ho Lee

“His exquisite touch, nuanced tonal palette, and electrifying passion completely captivated the audience.”
— Lauterbacher Anzeiger (Germany)

Pianist Sun Ho Lee studied in Korea under Young-Soon Nam and Jong-Pil Lim, graduating from Yewon School before entering the Korea National University of Arts as a designated young artist. He later continued his studies in Germany at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover under the renowned pedagogue Vladimir Krainev, earning degrees in Music Education, Künstlerische Ausbildung (Diplom), a Master of Music in Piano Duo, and the prestigious Konzertexamen.

He has received numerous honors including 5th Prize at the Busoni International Piano Competition (Italy), 2nd Prize and Youngest Finalist Special Award at the Porto International Piano Competition (Portugal), 3rd Prize at the Missouri International Piano Competition (USA), 6th Prize at the Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition (China), 2nd Prize and Audience Prize at the Pianale International Piano Competition (Germany), 4th Prize at the Chicago International Piano Duo Competition (USA), 1st Prize and Schubert Special Prize at the Schubert International Piano Duo Competition (Bulgaria), and Grand Prize at the 1st Korean Piano Duo Association Competition.

He has been invited to perform at major festivals such as the Busoni International Piano Festival and Alba Music Festival (Italy), Klevischer Klaviersommer, Kawai Haus Krefeld, Mosel Musikfestival, Bebersee Festival (Germany), March Music Days Festival (Bulgaria), Edinburgh Fringe Festival (UK), Gdansk Music Festival (Poland), and the Salzburg Festival (Austria). He has appeared in esteemed venues across Europe including Düsseldorf Steinway Haus, Gasteig München, Lister Turm Hannover, Megaron Concert Hall (Greece), Casa da Música (Portugal), Rousse Philharmonic Hall (Bulgaria), and the Great Hall of the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, performing both as soloist and chamber musician. His work has been broadcast on Bulgarian National Radio, NDR Kultur (Germany), Arte TV, and Arirang TV.

After receiving the 31st Music Journal New Artist Award in 2020, Lee launched an active performing career in Korea appearing in lecture-recitals (Seochoculture Foundation), The House Concert (Mokdong), July Festival, Seoul National University of Education Campus Concert, W Philharmonic Orchestra (Lotte Concert Hall), Kunwoo Paik Society Concert (SAC IBK Chamber Hall), 2024 Ilshin Prism Concert, and many others. He has presented numerous solo recitals at Seoul Arts Center Recital Hall, Sejong Center Chamber Hall, Kumho Art Hall Yonsei, Ilshin Hall, TLI Art Center, Elim Art Center, MEG Art Hall, and the Praum Instrument Museum.

He has served on the faculty of masterclasses and academies such as the Kawai Festival, Gimhae International Piano Academy, ToolMusic Summer Camp, Music Journal Winter School, Yeoncheon DMZ International Music Festival, AIPAF, Haeundae Music Festival, VMP Piano Master Class, KCAA International Music Festival, and programs organized by the International Piano Music Association. He is currently a resident artist with the W Philharmonic Orchestra and ToolMusic, teaches as Visiting Professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, and offers instruction at Seoul National University, dedicating himself to the development of the next generation of musicians.