March 20 - Yunchan Lim (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for March 20th may be found here: Bernd Alois Zimmermann (2019), Vera Lynn (2020), Lauritz Melchior (2021), Marian McPartland (2022), and John Braham (2023)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Yunchan Lim (b. 20 March 2004) is a South Korean pianist. In 2022, he gained widespread recognition when he became the youngest person ever to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at age 18.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

K-Classic

At Cliburn, when he played Rach Three,

He vaulted into history,

And some who heard him said that he

Was instantly among the greats,

A type of statement that creates

An open season for debates.

Except that no one disagreed;

His status was at once decreed,

With no dissenting sect or creed.

Young Yunchan with his hallmark mop

Of uncropped hair, had reached the top

Without a fumble, fail, or flop.

Envoi

Sometimes greatness in an art

Is so apparent from the start,

That it defies the normal chart

 

That plots a reputation's rise, —

A statement that in full applies

To Yunchan and the Cliburn prize.

 

If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.  [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Takes: Great Art Repurposed.]