Yunchan Lim ’24 UC Makes Triumphant Boston Symphony Orchestra and Carnegie Hall Debuts

Pianist Yunchan Lim ’24 UC made his spectacular Boston Symphony Orchestra debut at Symphony Hall from February 15-18 with guest conductor Tugan Sokhiev, performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 3 to multiple standing ovations. This is the same piece Lim performed to a stunned audience during the final round of 2022's Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, securing his place as the youngest person ever to win gold at the competition.

In its review, The Boston Globe described Lim as "the very definition of a rising star," praising his "superb debut performance with the BSO."

Read The Boston Globe’s review

Lim was joined backstage by NEC President Andrea Kalyn and BSO President and CEO Chad Smith ’95 NEC/Tufts, ’98 MM on the first evening of his BSO debut, photographed right.

Lim, who is South Korean, enrolled at NEC in the fall of 2023 to continue his studies with his beloved long-time teacher, NEC faculty member and alumnus Minsoo Sohn ‘99, ‘01 GD, ‘04 AD. 

“I see Yunchan as not merely a pianist who can sing with conviction, but as an alert, responsive musician who knows how to listen, blend, and accompany," said Sohn.

On February 21, Lim's awe-striking performances continued as he made another mesmerizing debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. 

“This was virtuosity as life force,” reads The New York Times’ review of his performance of Chopin’s 27 études, citing the encore Lim received as a “rare occurrence” in the iconic venue. 

Read The New York Times’ review

Photo credit: Hilary Scott