Yunchan Lim ’26 AD, a pianist in NEC’s Institute for Concert Artists, was recently featured by NPR in a Tiny Desk Concert. Lim, who, in 2022, at just 18 years old, became the youngest artist ever to win the Gold Medal at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, delivered what NPR described as a “deeply considered performance” of works by Liszt and Tchaikovsky.
At NPR’s Washington, D.C., studio, Lim performed Liszt’s Sonetto 104 del Petrarca, from Années de pèlerinage II, S. 161, and two works by Tchaikovsky: Moment lyrique and “Autumn Song: October” from The Seasons. Lim exhibited a “powerful command of every note, making our trusty upright sound like a nine-foot grand piano,” Music Producer Tom Huizenga said, adding, “It’s easy to fall under the spell of Yunchan Lim’s playing.”
The NEC Concert Artist made his debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in February performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, the piece he performed in the final round of the Cliburn Competition. Lim also made his Carnegie Hall debut in February, performing an all-Chopin program and several encores.
Lim studies at NEC with Minsoo Sohn ’99, ’01 GD, ’04 AD.
Watch Yunchan Lim’s Tiny Desk Concert and check out other NEC Concert Artists featured in NEC’s Studio Sessions.
Photo by Lisa-Marie Mazzucco