By Shim Sun-ah
Celebrated pianist Sunwoo Yekwon unveils his latest studio album, “Liszt,” offering a profound new perspective on the legendary composer. During a press conference in Seoul to promote the highly anticipated release, Sunwoo shared, “Liszt is often perceived as a composer of sheer splendor, but my intention with this album was to highlight the inherent human voice and lyricism within his magnificent works.”
This marks a significant milestone as the 37-year-old pianist’s first studio album dedicated entirely to Liszt. Sunwoo Yekwon has firmly established his career since his historic win in 2017, becoming the first Korean to triumph at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. His previous acclaimed recordings include his debut “Mozart” album in 2020 and “Rachmaninoff, A Reflection” released in 2023.
During the insightful press conference, Sunwoo Yekwon confessed that his relationship with Liszt’s music has evolved significantly over time. While he was captivated by the immediate and dazzling appeal of Liszt’s compositions during his middle school years, he surprisingly ceased playing the composer’s works entirely in his 20s.
“I found little appeal in it then. I felt it was perhaps too ostentatious and lacked a deeper emotional core,” he candidly recalled.
Now in his 30s, the acclaimed pianist’s perspective has undergone a transformative shift. In preparing for his latest “Liszt” album release, Sunwoo discovered that the composer’s repertoire perfectly resonates with his current musical approach and distinctive piano touch.
Describing his unique piano tone as ethereal and luminous, he eloquently likened it to “a delicate water drop” or “a remarkably fine wine glass that seems as though it might shatter with the slightest touch.”
Sunwoo found that his current artistic pursuit of such a delicate, crystal-clear sound perfectly harmonizes with the intricate nuances he now perceives within Liszt’s diverse catalog.
The comprehensive 11-track “Liszt” album features a broad selection of the composer’s most iconic works, including beloved pieces like “Consolations,” “Liebestraume,” and the vibrant “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.” The album also powerfully showcases Liszt’s mastery as an arranger, presenting several brilliant transcriptions based on other legendary composers’ works, notably Schubert’s “Gretchen am Spinnrade” and Schumann’s “Widmung.”
To emphasize the album’s profound emotional narrative, Sunwoo Yekwon meticulously structured the “Liszt” recording around the central theme of “singing with the piano,” guiding listeners on a captivating journey.
“The initial three tracks evoke a sense of reminiscence and meditation, followed by three intimate, whispering songs,” he explained. These are then succeeded by two powerful works exploring temptation and love, culminating in two operatic, almost demonic fantasies. The entire record culminates with the electrifying “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2,” which Sunwoo describes as a grand, all-encompassing finale, embracing every preceding emotional element in one breathtaking sweep.
The “Liszt” album was recorded at the historic Jesus-Christus-Kirche in Dahlem, Berlin – a legendary venue renowned for its exceptional acoustics and its frequent use by the iconic conductor Herbert von Karajan.
While some might express concern about a church environment having excessive reverberation for a piano recording, Sunwoo Yekwon discovered the unique acoustics of the space to be absolutely ideal for his vision.
“The moment I began playing the piano, I found the reverberation to be perfectly balanced, bringing the unique acoustics and the inherent sense of space truly alive,” he affirmed, highlighting that the entire recording process was remarkably seamless. He further added that the immersive atmosphere of the sacred space itself provided a profound sense of focus, allowing him to concentrate entirely on the music in the present moment.
Following the highly anticipated album’s release, pianist Sunwoo Yekwon will embark on a captivating tour across seven cities nationwide, commencing on May 15. Audiences will have the exclusive opportunity to experience live performances of tracks from his new “Liszt” album, alongside Schubert’s profound “Piano Sonata No. 20.”
