An exclusive interview with Cliburn’s shy winner

The California writer Elijah Ho has landed a revealing conversation with Yun-chan Lim, the 18 year-old Korean pianist who reduced his conductor to tears in the final of this year’s Van Cliburn Competition.

His frankness is startling.

Among his observations:
‘I never thought I had musical talent in my life. I started playing the piano at the age of seven, and I’m just a person who loves music so much that I’m trying to make great music.’

‘Rachmaninoff is like Bach. All the voices are singing their own beautiful songs, and they’re developed in a really detailed relationship to create highlights. It’s one of the most important factors in Rachmaninoff. I’ve rarely listened to any other playing than Horowitz and Rachmaninoff.’

‘I practiced for 4 to 5 hours when I was young, but I practiced for 8 hours since I was 12 years old, and now I do it all day.’

‘I can’t tell you my future plan, because I don’t know if I’ll die tomorrow or seven days later.’

More – much more – here.