The future of music, made here.

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

February 22, 2024

Olivia Richter

Yunchan Lim Performing

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.”

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.

Photo credit: Hilary Scott

Yunchan Lim with Andrea Kayln and Chad Smith
recent news
Holly Choe

July 24, 2024

NEC Alumna Holly Hyun Choe ’17 MM Awarded Prestigious Dudamel Fellowship

Read More
Entrepreneurial Musicianship

July 23, 2024

New England Conservatory’s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Program: A Year in Review

Read More
Kronos Quartet

July 19, 2024

Violinist Gabriela Dìaz ’03, ’05 MM Joins World-Renowned Kronos Quartet; Two of Four Members are NEC Alumni

Read More
  • Holly Choe

    July 24, 2024

    NEC Alumna Holly Hyun Choe ’17 MM Awarded Prestigious Dudamel Fellowship

  • Entrepreneurial Musicianship

    July 23, 2024

    New England Conservatory’s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Program: A Year in Review

  • Kronos Quartet

    July 19, 2024

    Violinist Gabriela Dìaz ’03, ’05 MM Joins World-Renowned Kronos Quartet; Two of Four Members are NEC Alumni

  • LA Opera Young Artists

    July 17, 2024

    Three NEC Alumni Named LA Opera Young Artists for the 2024-2025 Season

  • Dichterliebe

    July 15, 2024

    Expressing Vocal Lyricism with Strings: How Students in Ayano Ninomiya’s Studio Reimagined the Iconic Dichterliebe Song Cycle for Violin

  • Global Musician Workshop

    July 11, 2024

    Silkroad Announces Continuation of Global Musician Workshop at New England Conservatory and Expansion of Program to Hangzhou, China