Chopin: Études, Op. 10 & 25

Chopin composed the first of his Etudes when he was 19. By neat coincidence, Yunchan Lim was the same age when he recorded the composer’s fiendishly difficult, musically profound keyboard studies. The Korean pianist’s vision of Chopin’s two dozen pieces blends the fearless virtuosity of youth with a maturity associated with artists three times his age. Lim, who shot to fame in 2022 as the youngest winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, produces a potent blend of showmanship and artistry, subtle voicing and pinpoint articulation, exquisite legato and arresting dynamic shifts, all harnessed to strikingly individual expression. “Chopin’s Etudes were a mountain I had to overcome someday,” he tells Apple Music Classical. “For the recording, I had the compulsion to be technically perfect. But I think every note is like a leaf swaying in the wind and should be as beautiful as nature itself. I feel Chopin has overcome the limits humans can achieve with these pieces to reach another level.” Rather than highlighting any particular tracks, Yunchan Lim encourages listeners to immerse themselves in the complete Etudes. “This is not instant music, so I don't want to emphasize one piece. I think we should listen to all of their narratives in detail. When a mother gives birth, it will be the most precious and beautiful thing in the world to her. I feel the same way about making this recording. Of course, there are so many shortcomings, but this album is like my son. I'm proud to say that everything here is precious to me.” Was Lim inspired by listening to legendary Chopin recordings from the past? “More than any past performance or recording, I was most influenced by my will,” he replies. “My will to cross this mountain and face another mountain and face yet another mountain beyond.”