By Xu Aiying and Charles Audouin
Photos = Lee Jeong Woo
Video = Park Dae Jin

Pianist Kim Saehyun, 18, in March won the Audience Prize, Critics' Prize and Paris Special Prize at the prestigious Long-Thibaud International Competition of France.

He held his first news conference since receiving the awards on June 26 at Circle Hall of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, where he captivated the audience as soon as he sat down in front of a piano there.

With the shy expression of a teenager, he filled the room with a gentle rubato echo through his delicate touch of the keyboard and refined pedaling.

But Kim's priority is not outstanding technique that incites awe. "Rather than playing to leave a strong impression on the audience, the ideal performance is to perform in which you give up yourself and play with the intent to serve music," he said.

"Rather than surprising 1,000 or 2,000 audience members, I think it's more meaningful to play music that changes one or two people," he added. "I want to play in a way that conveys my personal story as a performer to each audience member."

His attitude goes beyond mere rhetoric of modesty in clearly expressing his musical vision. Rather than embellishing or exaggerating himself, he seeks to convey sincerity through his true feelings and tones, leading him to emphasize his genuine voice over refined techniques.

The musician's reputation has taken a huge and wider leap since his wins at the Paris competition. Kim was the sole pianist invited to a music concert on May 8 commemorating Victory in Europe Day marking the end of World War II on the Continent, playing a Chopin nocturne in front of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

On July 14, he will hold a solo concert at Champ de Mars in front of the Eiffel Tower to mark Bastille Day. On July 23, he will play on the main stage of the La Roque d'Antheron International Piano Festival, one of the largest events of its kind in Europe.

"I'm very grateful to receive such a big award and major recognition," he said on his feelings on winning the competition. "I received many opportunities to perform, which gave me a chance to reflect on myself and gain a higher sense of responsibility." 

Pianist Kim Saehyun on June 26 at Circle Hall of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul's Jongno-gu District plays three songs by Gabriel Faure and Charles Trenet at his first news conference since his three-award haul at this year's Long-Thibaud International Competition in Paris.

Alain Lanceron, president of the global classical music label Warner Classics, said in a video message to the news conference that he was impressed by Kim's talent, uniqueness and maturity despite his young age and announced plans to record and release an album with Kim by the end of next year.

Despite his busy performing schedule at home and abroad, Kim is pursuing a master's degree in piano performance at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and a bachelor's in English literature at Harvard University.

The wunderkind shows a willingness to freely challenge the boundaries between art and text to expand and deepen his understanding of music.

On if he regrets missing out on teenage life, he said, "I'm rather grateful because music compensates for what I lose," adding, "Of course, certain experiences are only available to teenagers, but it's a sacrifice I have to make."

Kim said he will snub entering other competitions to focus on his performance. "I think it's important to show my true self," he added. "I want to perform music at this moment from where I am now without embellishment."

Pianist Kim Saehyun on June 26 answers questions at a news conference held at Circle Hall of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.

Launched in 1943 by pianist Marguerite Long (1874-1966) and violinist Jacques Thibaud (1880-1953), the prestigious Long-Thibaud International Competition honors young musicians ages 16-33 in piano, violin and vocal performance.

The judges in this year's event unanimously named Kim the winner. No runnerup was designated because the panel mentioned the "extreme" skills gap between Kim and the other competitors.

xuaiy@korea.kr