Classical Music: Chopin Études Yunchan Lim

Chopin Études
12 Études, Op. 10: No. 1 in C Major ‘Waterfall’; , Op. 10: No. 2 in A Minor ‘Chromatique; Op. 10: No. 3 in E Major ‘Tristesse’; Op. 10: No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor; Op. 10: No. 5 in G-Flat Major ‘Black Keys’; Op. 10: No. 6 in E-Flat Minor ‘Lament; Op. 10: No. 7 in C Major ‘Toccata’; Op. 10: No. 8 in F Major ‘Sunshine’; Op. 10: No. 9 in F Minor; Op. 10: No. 10 in A-Flat Major; : No. 11 in E-Flat Major ‘Arpeggio’; Op. 10: No. 12 in C Minor ‘Revolutionary’; Op. 25: No. 1 in A-Flat Major ‘Aeolian Harp’;, Op. 25: No. 2 in F Minor ‘The Bees’; Op. 25: No. 3 in F Major ‘The Horseman’; Op. 25: No. 4 in A Minor ‘Paganini’; Op. 25: No. 5 in E Minor ‘Wrong Note’; Op. 25: No. 6 in G-Sharp Minor ‘Thirds’; Op. 25: No. 6 in G-Sharp Minor ‘Thirds’; Op. 25: No. 7 in C-Sharp Minor ‘Cello’; Op. 25: No. 8 in D-Flat Major ‘Sixths’; Op. 25: No. 9 in G-Flat Major ‘Butterfly Wings; Op. 25: No. 10 in B Minor ‘Octave’; Op. 25: No. 11 in A Minor ‘Winter Wind’; Op. 25: No. 12 in C Minor ‘Ocean’

Yunchan Lim Piano
Decca 4870122

Prepare to be astonished by this album. Enthusiasts and those discovering Chopin for the first time will relish this disc. There is plenty to excite and discover on this exhilarating new album on the Decca label, especially as the PR blurb rightly describes Yunchan Lim as one of the most talked-about classical artists on the planet. He was the youngest winner of the Van Cliburn International Competition of all time, which awarded him the gold medal.

Decca signed the 20-year-old virtuosic Korean, and he doesn’t disappoint with performances that are luminous and vibrant, showcasing his stupendous technique and maturity of interpretation, although there are a few misinterpretations where his youth carries him away with a little too much hastiness. Chopin’s melodies sing throughout, captured brilliantly by the recording engineers.

His playing, whether it's the Op 10 'Black Keys', Op 10 No 2 A minor 'Chromatique', or No 4 'Torrent' études, is immaculate with the right amount of expressiveness, articulating Chopin's emotions with a fluency that simply delights. With all those octaves and arpeggios played at speed, one needs to come up for air. If that is too much, then sit back and enjoy the slower études, especially the familiar 'Tristesse' or the emotion of Op 10 No. 6, 'Lament.' With great control, Lim conveys the melodies beautifully.

The pianist deftly deploys 'Winter Winds', one of Chopin's hardest études; the 'cello' is absorbing, the disc is sumptuous, full of stylish and uplifting playing, certainly a highlight of the year. His effortless, tantalising virtuosity is captivating; the melodic lines express all the drama with an emotional intelligence that touches the soul. 

I think of Chopin as an immortal genius
Yunchan Lim