By Honorary Reporter Andra Michaela Pena from Romania

Photos = Andrei Gindac

Cellist Jaemin Han is the youngest winner of Romania's George Enescu International Competition, one of Eastern Europe's most prestigious contests of its kind.

A Korean cellist has made history this year at the George Enescu International Competition in Romania.

In winning the top prize for his instrument, Jaemin Han, 15, on May 15 became the youngest winner in the competition's history. His final performance at the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest was Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107, by Dmitri Shostakovich.

Han entered the competition at age 14 and won a year later. In addition to earning prize money of EUR 15,000, he will perform at the George Enescu Festival with several of the world's leading orchestras and thus receive more international recognition.

Cellist Jaemin Han is a graduate of the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts.

Han graduated from the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts and now studies under professor Lee Kang-ho at Korea National University of Arts. He also trained under famed cellist Myung-wha Chung, who was a jury member for the competition's cello section. 

The prodigy has also performed as a soloist with orchestras in Wonju, Gangwon-do Province, Seoul and Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, and attended master classes by the world's best cellists such as Julian Steckel and Jian Wang.

In addition, Han won the top prizes at the International Dotzauer Competition for Young Cellists, David Popper International Cello Competition and Osaka International Music Competition.

The first phase of the Romanian competition was held online last year from August to September featuring 205 young musicians. The final two stages were held in person from May 12-23 in Bucharest with an audience.

Korea this year sent the most competitors of any country with 50.

The Romanian competition showcases promising musicians and promotes the works of the great Romanian musician that the event is named for. Considered the Eastern European country's premiere international cultural event, the contest has four categories and ranks among the world's top competitions for classical music.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.