▲ Celebrated pianist Paik Kun-woo speaks at a press conference marking the release of his recording of Franz Schubert's Piano Sonatas Nos. 13, 14, 18 and 20 through Universal in Seoul on March 30, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ Celebrated pianist Paik Kun-woo answers questions at a press conference marking the release of his recording of Franz Schubert's Piano Sonatas Nos. 13, 14, 18 and 20 through Universal in Seoul on March 30, 2026. (Yonhap)

pianist-press conference

Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me'

By Woo Jae-yeon

SEOUL, March 30 (Yonhap) -- At 80, celebrated South Korean pianist Paik Kun-woo says he feels freer than ever.

"Reflecting on my past, I was under a lot of stress to perform and always offer something new, just like any other pianist. But now that I am 80, I feel all that is left for me is to enjoy music," Paik said at a press conference in Seoul on Monday.

"From now on, I want to play freely. That is where my mind is right now," he said.

Last week, Paik released a recording of Franz Schubert's Piano Sonatas Nos. 13, 14, 18 and 20 through Universal Music. To mark the release, he will embark on a nationwide recital tour next month.

Expressing his admiration for the Austrian composer, Paik said he deeply connects with the famous saying that if one falls asleep while listening to Schubert, they will still wake up in heaven.

"I am sometimes truly curious whether his music comes from heaven. Unlike some music where you can sense the human effort behind it, Schubert's seems to flow naturally, as if it were not made by human hands," he explained.

Despite his deep admiration, Paik stressed that it was the music that chose him, not the other way around.

"Come to think of it, the music that has been living inside me comes out at the right moment. It is hard to explain, but I would call it inevitable," he said. "You may have heard this expression before. The music chose me, not the other way around. That is exactly how it feels."

He also said Schubert's music is just one of thousands of faces of music, expressing both awe and frustration at how small a portion of it he will ever get to learn and play.

"What we know of music is so small compared to the vast world it encompasses. There is just so much more out there waiting to be discovered."

Despite performing a vast repertoire over the past 70 years since his debut in 1956, he said he is still eager to learn new music, especially contemporary works he had little chance to explore at a younger age.

Born in 1946, Paik is one of the most celebrated Korean musicians. He started studying piano at a young age and later pursued formal training at the Juilliard School in New York. Known for his exceptional skill and musical interpretation, he has performed globally in prestigious concert halls and collaborated with renowned orchestras and conductors.

Reflecting on a career that has spanned continents and seven decades, he is writing an autobiography he hopes to publish later this year.

"I feel a sense of responsibility to share what I have been through," he said, adding that things have changed so much from when he studied music to today.

In his home country, he is often called "a spiritual seeker at the piano" for his sincere and contemplative attitude toward music, searching for the essence of each work as if uncovering the truth behind it.

"Everyone is a spiritual seeker in their own field if they are devoted and work hard at whatever they do," he said.

"Honestly, the title feels a bit heavy."

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