Yekwon plays Beethoven
Presented by New York Classical Players
Thursday, October 3, 2024, 7:30PM at Flushing Town Hall (137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354)
Saturday, October 5, 2024, 7:30PM at W83 Auditorium (150 W 83rd St., New York, NY 10024)
Tickets: FREE (Online RSVP Required)
©️rohsh
◆ Program
HOLST / Jupiter (arr. Samuel Adler)
J. S. BACH / Prelude, Chorale and Fugue (arr. Samuel Adler) (premiere)
BRITTEN / Three Divertimenti
BEETHOVEN / Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 (arr. Yoomi Paick)
Experience the extraordinary artistry of esteemed pianist and Van Cliburn competition laureate, Yekwon Sunwoo, as he returns to the spotlight. This time, Sunwoo offers an insightful interpretation of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4, showcasing his deep connection with the composer's intricate and reflective work. The program also includes Holst's majestic Jupiter and J.S. Bach's Prelude, Chorale and Fugue, both arranged by Samuel Adler, along with Britten's lively Three Divertimenti. Immerse yourself in a captivating musical journey that highlights the rich diversity of classical music.
To learn more and reserve tickets, please visit: https://www.nycpmusic.org/yekwon-plays-beethoven
◆ Yekwon Sunwoo
Yekwon Sunwoo has been hailed for his “unfailingly consistent excellence” (International Piano) and celebrated as "a pianist who commands a comprehensive technical arsenal that allows him to thunder without breaking a sweat" (Chicago Tribune). A powerful and virtuosic performer, he also, in his own words, "strives to reach for the truth and pure beauty in music.”
The first Korean Gold medallist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Yekwon's 24/25 season includes appearances with Ann Arbor Symphony, New York Classical Players, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Armenian Symphony as well as recitals at the University of Michigan, Bechstein Hall and Carnegie Hall.
Recent highlights includes concertos with the Macao, Kalamazoo & Victoria Symphonies, Slovak Philharmonic, Orchestre de Chambre de Paris as well as a US tour with the Esme String Quartet.
In previous seasons, he has performed as soloist with the Munich Philharmonic and Valery Gergiev, Royal Danish Orchestra with Thomas Søndergård, Fort Worth and Tucson Symphonies, Washington Chamber Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, National Orchestra of Belgium, Sendai Philharmonic and Royal Scottish National Orchestra amongst others. Recital appearances include Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Elbphilharmonie, Salle Cortot, Hong Kong Arts Festival and a tour of Japan.
An avid chamber musician, Yekwon's collaborators include Clara Jumi Kang, Sebastian Bohren, Benjamin Beilman, Linus Roth, Andrei lonita, Sebastian Bohren, lsang Enders, Tobias Feldmann, Gary Hoffman, Anne-Marie McDermott and the Jerusalem and Brentano Quartets. He has also toured Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama with the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation and performed at Chamber Music of Lincoln Center's Inside Chamber Music Lectures.
In addition to the Cliburn Gold Medal, Yekwon won first prizes at the 2015 International German Piano Award, the 2014 Vendome Prize held at the Verbier Festival, the 2013 Sendai International Music Competition and the 2012 William Kapell International Piano Competition.
Born in Anyang, South Korea, Yekwon began learning the piano at the age of 8 and made his recital and orchestral debuts in Seoul at 15. His teachers include Seymour Lipkin, Robert McDonald, Richard Goode and Bernd Goetzke.
In September 2023, Yekwon released his second album for Decca Universal Music Korea featuring works by Rachmaninov following his first album in 2020 of works by Mozart. In 2017, Decca Gold released Cliburn Gold 2017 two weeks after Yekwon was awarded the Gold Medal and includes his award-winning performances of Ravel's La Valse and Rachmaninov's Second Piano Sonata.
◆ New York Classical Players
New York Classical Players (NYCP) is an ensemble dedicated to the highest standards of artistry, collaboration, and virtuosity. Inspired by the belief that access to musical excellence is an essential human right, NYCP presents all concerts free of charge.
NYCP celebrates fifteen years of igniting New York City’s soul with the magic of music. What began as a vision has grown into a powerful legacy of artistic passion and community spirit. Driven by the belief that music is a right, not a luxury, we recommit to offering unparalleled, free classical performances to every New Yorker, because music is the heartbeat of our shared humanity.