S.Korean violinist Park Sue-ye to host first recital on Nov. 4

S.Korean violinist Park Sue-ye to host first recital on Nov. 4: Art / 연합뉴스 / 2022-10-25 11:35:46

▲This photo, provided by Mocproduction show violinist Park Sue-ye. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲This photo, provided by Mocproduction show violinist Park Sue-ye's album included within 'Recording of the year 2021.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲This photo, show, poster of violinist Park Sue-ye's upcoming recital. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL October 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean violinist known to work in Germany and Korea, Park Sue-ye, 22 years old has 4 studio albums despite of her young age.

Park Sue-ye’s debut album includes Caprice No.24 by composer Paganini which is known for it’s vigorous difficulty, was recorded when she was only 16 years old back in 2017. Also her album was published by the world well known classic music label from Sweden, BIS.

Also when she was 17 she released her second album “Salut D’amour Sueye Park Love Derwinger” and in 2021 she released her third album “Journey through the century.”

In August of 2022, Park Sue-ye released an album including a track by Isang Yun, performed with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vansak.

Compilation album of 20 century composers’ violin solo by Park Sue-ye, including pieces by Isang Yun, Penderecki and more, “Journey Through a Century” was awarded with Gramophone Magazine September 2021, recording of the Month.

Moreover, Park Sue-ye is planning on releasing a album including polish composer Karol Maciej Szymanowski violin concerto. Tracks are already recorded, however artist is undergoing the process of finalizing.

Violinist Park Sue-ye will be hosting a recital at Seoul Art Center in November 4.

Park Sue-ye who studied and spent most of her career in Germany, only performed as a collaborating artist or at a music festival venues in South Korea, however through upcoming recital, violinist plans on showcasing pieces from romanticism, such as Edvard Hagerup Grieg, Karol Maciej Szymanowski, Johannes Brahms, Henryk Wieniawski and more.

“I will do my best to not become a one hit wonder,” South Korean violinist who was first introduced to violin when she was 9 then moved to Berlin Germany from Daegu and spent majority of her years there, addressed during the interview conducted with Yonhap News Agency at Seoul Art Center on October 24.

-- What’s it like to host your first recital in South Korea?

▲ “I have been waiting and wanting to host a recital, therefore I am very excited and happy. Pieces I have chosen to perform at my recital are the ones that I have the deepest knowledge of. Since it’s my first recital I went with less contemporary and disfigured, therefore I went with familiar pieces from romanticism era. “

-- Despite of your international age, you have already released 4 of the albums. Your debut album includes Paganini’s Caprice which is known for its demonic difficulty, how did you come across the idea picking Caprice as your debut piece?

▲ “My music teacher Ulf Vallin has history of releasing albums with the BIS label, therefore he is in close terms with the representative of BIS record label. One day my mentor Ulf Vallin mentioned about me to the representative of BIS, which lead him to watch the performance video of me and after he watched the video, he asked whether I could perform Caprice by Paganini, as a joke but at the same time seriously. After my mentor’s conversation with the representative of BIS he came to me and asked whether I would be able to perform the piece Caprice. I didn’t hesitate nor think about anything and just said. Until then I haven’t had played the full 24 of the pieces included within the Caprice. From the preparation all the way to recording process of the album was very difficult. However that served as the turning point in my life and ever since then I have been releasing albums through BIS label. “

--Professor Ulf Vallin is renown violinist from Sweden, how did you get to know him?

▲ “When I was nine, there was a master class held by professor Ulf Vallin in Seoul. I wasn’t eligible to participate in the class, however I visited the class to meet the professor with an acquaintance of mine who had connections. When I met the professor he told me to pull out my instrument and play something for him. I performed a piece that I was working on in front of me, and he helped me out with various suggestions on sight. Couple days later, my parents received a call from the professor recommending the option of studying abroad. My parents decided to head to Germany for me to study at a better environment and that is how I ended up in Germany. As a kid I didn’t know whether that was a big deal or not.”

--How is Professor Ulf Vallin as a mentor?

▲”The reason I am who I am and have opportunity to perform at Seoul Art Center is because of Ulf Vallin’s teaching. He has taught me to love music, and told me stories filled with life lessons. Also he recommends books for me to read, as a student who only knows how to play violin, he showed me various aspects in life.”

-- I have heard that Ulf Vallin is against kids competing at events.

▲ “When preparing for international competitions, performer’s love for music might wither and leave you blindsided, and that is how professor Ulf Vallin thinks of international contests. Of course there are kids who become great musicians by participating in music competitions from very young age, however I think I have pursuited my music career in a bit different way as my mentor suggested. However, now that I am old enough and graduated with my degree in music, he is ok with me participating in the competitions.”

-- How did you pick up on violin?
▲ “I went to a restaurant when I was four with my parents, and there was a quartet playing at the scene. After the performance I ran to the performer and asked for the violin and portrayed motion of playing violin. After that I’ve talked about violin way too often so my mother got me a toy violin and that is how I picked up on violin. The first lesson I attended to was when I was 5.”

--Given your success on your latest album done with Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra which includes piece by composer Isang Yun, Do you perform pieces by composer Isang Yun often?

▲ “Pieces by composer Isang Yun, is always in my set list. For my last album ‘Journey through a century’ I have included two of the pieces by the composer. I really like pieces by composer Isang Yun. It is a modern piece however it withholds romanticism, and the music vibes well with me. Composer Isang Yun, is highly praised by German. I would like to continuously perform pieces by Isang Yun.”

--What kind of violinist do you want to become?

▲ “I try not to be a one hit wonder. Professor Ulf Vallin always emphasized on taking time when doing anything. We are going to perform and play music for years to come, there is no reason to rush into things, and I remind myself of his saying all the time. I personally believe opportunity comes when I am ready. I just want to be a better performer and a better musician in the end.”