Is Rachmaninov the new rock music? Pianist Yunchan Lim has wowed audiences with his incredible talent. His success raises questions about the nature of genius.
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Classical pianist, 19, wins pop star status
Is Rachmaninov the new rock music? Pianist Yunchan Lim has wowed audiences with his incredible talent. His success raises questions about the nature of genius.
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What's happening?
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 Van Cilbern International Piano Competition. He was to play one of the most difficult piano pieces of all time: Sergei RachmaninovA Russian composer, pianist and conductor. 's Piano ConcertoA long piece of music for a solo instrument in an orchestra. No. 3 (1909).
He won first prize.
Since then, he has gained lots of fans online. In Korea he has been called "classical music's answer to K-popShort for Korean pop. Pop music originating from South Korea. ".
Yesterday he signed a record deal with music label Decca.3 All this - and he's still at college.
Find out more
The classical music stars of history also started young. MozartAn 18th Century classical musician who composed more than 800 works. picked up piano aged three. BeethovenGerman composer (1770 - 1827) whose intense, dramatic work revolutionised classical music. gave his first concert performance aged seven.
Some think people like Mozart 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 fame-hungry father.
But whether or not Lim is a genius, some say classical music could become the new rock or pop.
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Is Rachmaninov the new rock music?
Yes! Classical music is much more exciting and moving than rock. And there is nothing to stop you from dancing to it.
No! Rock music wins over classical music because it has lyricsThe words of a song. . People want to know a songwriter's feelings. This is harder without words.
Keywords
Sergei Rachmaninov - A Russian composer, pianist and conductor.
Concerto - A long piece of music for a solo instrument in an orchestra.
K-pop - Short for Korean pop. Pop music originating from South Korea.
Mozart - An 18th Century classical musician who composed more than 800 works.
Beethoven - German composer (1770 - 1827) whose intense, dramatic work revolutionised classical music.
Lyrics - The words of a song.
Classical pianist, 19, wins pop star status
Music maestro: Yunchan Lim has achieved international success, all before the age of 20. Glossary
Sergei Rachmaninov - A Russian composer, pianist and conductor.
Concerto - A long piece of music for a solo instrument in an orchestra.
K-pop - Short for Korean pop. Pop music originating from South Korea.
Mozart - An 18th Century classical musician who composed more than 800 works.
Beethoven - German composer (1770 - 1827) whose intense, dramatic work revolutionised classical music.
Lyrics - The words of a song.