In just 43 minutes and 22 seconds, Yunchan Lim's life changed forever.

The Korean pianist, then 18 years old, was a finalist in the prestigious Van Cilbern International Piano Competition. He was to play Sergei RachmaninovA Russian composer, pianist and conductor. 's Piano ConcertoA long piece of music for a solo instrument in an orchestra. No. 3 (1909): one of the most difficult piano pieces of all time.

He won first prize.¹ Members of the jury said his version of the Concerto is the best ever. 

His star has kept rising. He has gained a huge online following.² In Korea he has been described as "classical music's answer to K-popShort for Korean pop. Pop music originating from South Korea. ".

Yesterday he signed a record deal with classical label Decca.³ All this - and he's still at college.

Classical music has always loved a child prodigyA child with exceptional skill or talent. . MozartAn 18th Century classical musician who composed more than 800 works. picked up piano aged three and composed 10 symphoniesLong pieces of music written for orchestras. before he was 12. BeethovenGerman composer (1770 - 1827) whose intense, dramatic work revolutionised classical music. gave his first concert performance aged seven.⁴

The idea of the prodigy implies that some are born with a genius. But some think that they are created through training.

Lim began studying aged seven and he practised up to 20 hours a day for the Van Cilbern. Beethoven was forced to play by his cruel, fame-hungry father.

Some also debate whether Lim can be called a genius. Rachmaninov was one for composing his concertos. Lim is a merely talented musician skilfully following a score.

But whether or not Lim is a genius, his success suggests that classical music could become the new rock music.

It has been so before. Fellow prodigy Franz LisztA Hungarian composer, pianist and conductor, born in 1811. whipped audiences into such a frenzy that the poet Heinrich Heine coined the term "Lisztomania" to describe it.⁵

Yet the quiet power of Lim might not be enough to match rock star charismaA charm or attractiveness that can inspire others. . Rock songs are short, simple and catchy. Many people might not be ready for Rachmaninov.

Yes: Classical music is far more exciting, moving, vibrant and surprising than rock. It has an intellectual and emotional depth that trumps pop. Add an electronic beat and you can even dance to it.

No: Rudyard KiplingAn English novelist who wrote The Jungle Book. wrote, "words are the most powerful drug used by mankind". Rock music wins because it has lyrics that we can understand and identify with. And sometimes simplicity beats complexity.

Or... Just as we read novels and poems differently, and do not view painting in the same way as sculpture, classical music and rock are separate genres entirely. They are both brilliant in distinct ways.