Yunchan Lim 임윤찬, Lisztomania, and a Mazeppa to die for 

You're watching the first of 2 parts to this commentary on Yunchan's Liszt performance. What started out as a modest review ballooned into a video of... transcendental proportions. Editing this has been much more complicated than the Rach video, so - unlike Yunchan - I WILL take a break after Mazeppa before launching into Feux Follets and finishing the set. Thank you all for your patience and stay tuned!

Reinforcing your 'rock star' metaphor, when I heard Yunchan was going to be performing at Northwestern University outside of Chicago, I immediately called the box office to find out when tickets would become available. As though it were the very last concert of the Rolling Stones, I set my alarm for 1AM (I live in Brooklyn, so had to account for the time difference) when the box office opened and made an online purchase of a 3 performance series which included Yunchan (I will give away the other two tickets). Third row, keyboard side! In anticipation of this performance, which will include Liszt's 2 Legends of St. Francis and the Dante Sonata (none of which I am familiar with), I started listening to comparative performances (sometimes following the score). Among these was a video made 2 years ago of Yunchan playing the Dante (at 16!). What I have learned with all of this listening (and I too have fallen down the rabbit hole of searching for every available YL performance) is that in even the simplest phrase of a few spare notes, Yunchan delivers a master class in voicing, phrasing, color, character, drama. My only regret is that at almost 77, I will not live long enough to follow his career into its full maturity. But for now, I settle for daily doses of Yunchan. 10-22-2022 I wanted to add a few comments now that I have seen Yunchan Lim's performance at Northwestern on 10/20/2022 (flying from New York just for the day). At almost 77, I have been going to piano recitals for over 60 years and I have heard many of the greats - Horowitz, Rubenstein, Serkin. Pollini, DeLaRocha, Brendel et al. The only other performance I would place in the category of Lim's was hearing a solo recital of Maria Callas in 1974 who, with the power and drama of her voice, was able to communicate the majestic scope of opera without orchestra, other singers, costumes or sets. I have never seen a pianist combine with almost terrifying abandon truly explosive energy with feathery delicacy. There is a short simple passage of just a few notes in the middle of the Dante that he takes with two hands (most play it with one, it is so simple), but for me it was like discovering a black hole in the middle of the Universe. It is an example of how he can find in the smallest detail, unimaginable power. And as bonus, I met a lovely young Korean woman named Yun who had flown in from Virginia. We had an engaging conversation and she was kind enough to give me a CD of Lim's Dante performance (along with the Moonlight Sonata) that is only available in Korea. Thank you Yun, I enjoyed meeting you and hope we will meet again (maybe at the New York Philharmonic performance - to be announced - in May).

Wow you searched a lot for Yunchan lim's interveiw even given in Korean only. Surprised

His concert yesterday sold out in 10 seconds.

I've never liked the transcendentals much and really struggled to listen to them in one go until Yunchan. The comments are spot on, he declutters all the historical baggage of the Russian powerhouse bangers and finds the music again. Remarkable and I was hooked.

"Same haircut" "She goes to Juilliard?...Why isn't she practicing...oh, she's a singer!" Keep up the amazing funny, Ben!

Awesome video! At my age I'm in Love with Yunchan! He is absolutely beautiful from Inside out! From the moment I'm home,he's on the screen. I must not just to listen to him, but see his big brown eyes, beautiful lips and sweet smile and of course gorgeous hair, his fellings, sound, thinking, concentration and passion, when he's playing, His playing is the last thing before I go to bed and the first thing in the morning is listen to him. I'm obsessed with him, but no regrets what soever!

A little history for this GOAT (at least it was for me) recital. I drove Yunchan home after. I ask him how he thought it went. He replied "I don't know. I will have to listen first." Another bit of history. In the days prior to this recital, he practiced passages from Feux Follets the most.

Love the commentary. Also you look really handsome

Thank you for this amazing review. I'm crazy about Yunchan, I can't get enough of his music.

Tonenase never disappoints! Long live classical music and Yunchan Lim👑

고마워요. 톤베이스. 한국어 캡션을 더해주셨군요. 당신에게 신의 축복이 있기를! 63세 한국의 윤찬 마니아로부터!

11:30 “orchestral tone poems for piano” is a perfect description of the Liszt Transcendental etudes

I wasn't a big fan of classical music, but since I saw Yunchan Lim's performances, I've become one. Your video made me learn more about this world and enjoy it more deeply. Thank you so much.

So grateful to him to brought Liszt music under the spolight, even if it's his Etudes (which are great).

I can't wait to see part 2 already. I can now understand why you were late. If we can watch videos like this with quality and your effort, we don't really care how much it takes to video to come out. I really appreciate the effort you guys putting in a video. You deserves thousands of likes.

Before Yunchan , a piano was a piano. But now, a piano became a forte'.

I really like his horse galloping sound in Mazeppa with a spoonful of lyricism.

Here again! He's wearing the perfect T-shirt. Wonder where he gets! Nice video and nice touch! Huge thank you for the video as a Yunchan Lim's fan.

What a GREEAAAT VIDEO!!! Many things i love in one place - Cliburn, Yunchan, Liszt, Tonebase analysis, great interviews and references, great editing and clips!! It all works!!!

the first transition was so smooth I cant even believe it

Being a BTS fan and a classical music fan / listener, I do feel like he is right now the "BTS" per say of the classical world!! I read that his San Jose concert was sold out in 10 seconds. Which is what happens with many BTS concerts as well. Gone in seconds. So when you did that note at the beginning it really made me laugh! Great video!!!

Great video. Most of all, I love your sense of humor 😆👍

A genius gives much pleasure to the world

Amazing! We want part 2 already!

내가 본 모든 유투브 영상 중 가장 퀄리티 높음! 얼마나 능력이 있어야 이런 영상을 만들 수 있는지..요새 천재를 많이 보네요 좋아요 구독 누르고감요

I was more surprised by the quality of the video. 👏👏👏

Wow, such a compliment from Mr.Bernstein, he would be honored. He definitely has a bright future ahead and the potential to become the best of the next generation.

Thank God he is so young, so we have many years ahead enjoying his performances. May he be healthy and happy forever!

A brilliant, informative, and hilarious video - wonderful. Thanks so much. Y-L has really made these pieces an epic, but with everything else in there too. I hope he puts them on disc - or the Cliburn CD is of this. But they'll need a little box set - his rounds were all so good. What a talent to behold.

I think now you can call yourself a researcher. What a vast amount of information you reviewed and incorporated in this video, I really appreciate this masterpiece (in the review field) 😂 thank you so much!

i never imagined that i got to love Mazepa. Thanks to you, i could understand Liszt's Mazepa and enjoy it .

Yunchan's play is always 3 dimensional. I think he can out all the colors and different sound piano can produce making it plays several different instruments. I love the analysis and your ability to invite professionals in this and Rach 3 video. It brings me more clarity on what really makes the difference of Yunchan's play. Thank you so much for your hard work. Your video is as much enjoyable as I enjoy the music itself.

17:00 "... difficulties have no dominion. And only the music prevails." Thanks to Yunchan, I happen to know the 'Tonebase" channel, and I really appreciate your content! Your content is fun, educational, and even spiritual! 😀

You did an extraordinary job, putting all these jewels together. Hooray!!

We want part-2!

I remember his previous interview about his Transcendental etuide recital. Yunchan said that he studies for Liszt music, setting up "logic" first, and thinking about having an "orchestration" behind the piano. He also said that the more he tried do something technically, the less complete he experienced, so he threw it all away on the stage and only thought about music. He wants to leave only music on the stage without himself or the audience. He defined the value of the existence of music as 'sympathy' and 'thorth', and emphasized the importance of the player's 'design'. What a clever pianist!

윤찬은 선율선을 안정감 있고 아름답게 일정속도를 유지하며 다음으로 자연스럽게 이동하는 반면 하오첸장은 리스트의 운지법으로 연주하므로써 말발굽소리는 표현했을지 모르지만 전체적인 선율 즉 음악적표현부족, 느려진 속도, 페달 사용도 좀 부담스럽고 베레조브스키, 다닐트리포노프도 윤찬과 같은 운지법을 사용, 악보에도 리스트의 운지법은 인체공학적으로 맞지않으므로 반드시 지킬 필요없다고 되어 있음...개인적인 견해지만 전 윤찬이 속도나 음악적표현도 최고, 연주모습조차 너무 이쁘고 최고라고 생각됩니다. 윤찬의 연주는 자연스러움과 따뜻함입니다. 윤찬콘텐츠 올려주셔서 감사합니다.

I play the piano but I dont know much about the intricacies of piano recitals. But this guy makes understanding the music that much easier to understand and enjoy. Really appreciate these videos and the inserts are hella funny

Thank you very much for creating such an incredible video that analyzes YunChan's playing of Liszt! It's so fun and educational to watch and I really enjoyed it! Can't wait for the 2nd part! Good Job! 😀😀😀

Insightful analysis as usual. Keep it up! 👏👏 loved the funny bits 🤣

I watched other pianists perform. The Mazeppa score editor said: "It is absolutely inadmissable to facilate fingering, as a contrary to Liszt's ideas." Yunchan's chosen fingering is also adopted by other pianists(Berezovsky, Trifonov) which is considered to be aimed at considering the melody. Haochen's performance is very special, but Yunchan made a different choice to improve the musical perfection of Mazeppa. Honestly, it's true that Yunchan's performance is much better if we listen to the overall performance. Anyway, thank you for uploading this video!

Salute to the breadth and depth and color of your interpretation❤❤

Thank you Ben, finally delivering this wonderful video. It's much more worth waiting. I can't imagine how much time and efforts you pour into making this video. I really appreciated. (esp your selfless decision to take role as naked Mazeppa to recreate the historic event ,only for the viewer's deeper understanding of the piece.) Dyeing to watch Part 2 but you deserve a break, I will patiently wait till you drop the part 2. Thank you again and I like your sense of humor & dry wit which was hilarious.

I think metal-head like Liszt print shirts was suit to you and this video well thanks to VCC, I found 2 precious ones. firstly Lim Yunchan , secondly this channel Tone Base. what a quality again. Ben, your sense of humor and music is so precious and adorable.

잘 봤어요 2편 기대중! 더불어 한국어 자막도 기다립니다 ㅠㅠ 저도 리스트는 막연히 시끄럽고 멜로디가 귀에 익지 않는다고만 생각해서 멀리하고 있었는데 임윤찬이 친 이후로는 완전히 중독됐어요. 임윤찬의 매력은 같은 곡이어도 멜로디가 귀에 꽂히도록 만들고 중독되게 하는 데에 있는 것 같아요. 한가지 아쉬운 점은 우리나라에도 우수한 음악가들이 많을텐데 왜 우리나라 음악가들에 의한 해석 영상같은건 없는걸까요.. 기껏해야 와 잘친다 하는 정도의 리액션 영상 뿐이고.. 누가 좀 만들어줬으면!! 물 들어올 때 노 저어야지 뭐하나 몰라요

this is an incredible video!!

Oh boy oh boy oh boy!! I haven't watched this one yet but I know I will be watching it at least 20 times (conservative estimate) like I did the Rach 3 review video... ! ☺️

Thank you, tonebase Piano, I learned so much. I appreciate all your videos as they help me understand the music I love so much more.

I'm alredy dying for the next video for a Vision (No. 6). Thank you in advance.

This was so entertaining, loved it!

What a great-depth review of Lim's brilliant performance! Thanks a lot to tonebase Piano.

시간 가는 줄도 모를만큼 재밌게 봤습니다. (임윤찬 피아니스트의 리스트헤어 해프닝을 여기서 들을 줄이야...) 임윤찬피아니스트의 멋진 연주와 더불어 리스트와 그의 연습곡에 더욱 빠져들게 됐습니다. 영상 올려주셔서 감사합니다.

23,000 views in one day! Great video, Ben. Thanks for all that you do for the ToneBase community.

Fantastic video. Abrupt ending. Looking forward to part 2.

I enjoyed every minute of it! Just like the Rach 3 review, it helps a humble listener like me to understand better and appreciate his performance EVEN MORE!!! Can't wait for the part 2! But please take your time. I can't imagine how hard and time consuming it is to make a video like this. Thank you, Ben!!! 👏👏👏

I saw a video of him on RU-vid in July and was strangely drawn to him. Next video..Next video..I can't get out of the swamp.what's the reason?🤣

Enjoyed watching this video. I find myself keep laughing and I just can’t wait to watch part 2!! Thank you for creating such great videos. 👍

Thank you for the detailed and humorous explanation of yunchan pianist at Tonbase^^

I was worth the wait. Hook on Limzt playing and your energetic video.

It was just announced that this performance will be made available on CD and on various streaming services on July 7, 2023

와!! 처음부터 끝까지 너무 유익한 영상입니다. 많이 웃었고, 많이 감동했어요. 이 멋진 영상을 만들어내기 위해 얼마나 많은 시간과 정성이 들어갔을지.. 진심으로 깊이 감사드립니다. 2부도 설레는 마음으로 기대할게요. 👍🏻🙏

Knock knock!! I am really looking forward to watch Part2!!!!!!😅

Hope to see you interview Yunchan in your video! Thank you for this amazing review.

It's good you added criticism.... but, I'm sure Yunchan did the different fingerings intentionally. There's nothing he does without thought behind it. I just heard him live in person this Sunday.... he doesn't indeed do the "two dimensional" banging of the instrument.... the sound is powerful and full without the ugly hammering effect.

Clap!!!!!!!!!! PART2 NEEDED! thank you~

Thank you, tonebase Piano.

i am quite busy to listen just Yunchan's repertories.. thanks tonebase and looking for part 2!!

Wunderkid beyond belief. How is it even possible to play like him at such a young age??

.... and I thought it was just us Koreans who were swooning in the most exaggerated terms over the magnificent Yunchan Lim! So glad to find out we're not the only ones combing the Internet for the smallest dose of Yunchan on a daily basis. Feeling quite relieved! 😌

Thank you so much!! Kudos to you!!!!!

I adore these videos. With all my love to yunchan, I would love to see them about other iconic pianists too!

우와, 드디어 한글자막이 나오네요 너무너무 감사합니다 ^^ 쵝오

great video! nice to watch your analyzes, good job

Thank you!

I enjoyed every minute of it! Thanks from 🇨🇦

저는 윤찬님의 쇼팽에튀드 p.25 전곡이나 리스트 초절 전곡에서 처음 알게됐어요. 이 곡들이 단순히 테크닉과시용이 아니라 정말 음악적으로 너무나 아름다운 곡이었구나..

I need part two. And I need it quick!!!

너무 좋다... 그냥 들어도 감동..감동인데 설명까지 더해지니 감동이 배가되고 너무 좋다. 다음편이 너무 기다려진다.

Wow!!!! Thank you Ben!! BTW how could you refer the interview about Liszt’s hair by Yunchan?? Brilliant!!!😂

I really like this video❤ my husband recommended me to watch it, they were talking about Yunchan as exactly same as you. I agreed about his tone as colour and transparency etc.. I was not a Liszt mania, but now I’m a absolutely Liszt… Yunchan mania 😊 I also liked the story of the Romantic era, so imaginable!! I want to listen that he plays with a Bechstein 🎹

윤찬의 뉘앙스는 이 세상것이 아닙니다. 이 힘든 인류에게 신이주신 선물...임 윤찬. 이 작은 소년의 열정,수줍음,진정성, 아니 모두를 아끼고 사랑합니다.

You're leaving us on such a cliffhanger! We need part two! 😅 THANK YOU for this amazing content man. I've never enjoyed classical music content as much as yours.

Thank you for your high-quality video :) I've waited for this

Yunchan is the greatest young artist of 21th century!!

I love him ❤️

너무나 흥미롭고도 재치있고 .. 또 내용도 엄청 풍부한 이런 해석을 하실수있는지 정말 놀라게됩니다 톤베이스 사이트는 고도의 여러테크닉을 포함해서 우리에게 많은 요소들을 짚어주고 미처 생각이 닿지않는 많은 디테일까지 일깨워주는 , 정말 유익하고도 재미있는 한편의 단편영화 제작소라고 칭하고 싶어요 진심으로 감사드립니다

Thank you so much tonebase!!!

너무너무너무 잘 보았어요. 중간중간 연기도 ㅎㅎㅎㅎ 알수록 위대함이 커지는 임윤찬님

위험을 두려워하지 않고 자신을 믿고 음악을 믿는 18세의 예술가 Thank you!

Thank you tonebase

For a split second I thought the one naked in front of the piano was you LOL. Thank you, Ben! I love your videos. I can't wait for Part 2!

Amazing commentary!!!!!!! Thank you!!

I really do like your videos. Thks !Perhaps could you continue with subtitles ? Me, poor french singer…(find me in RU-vid 😉)

thank you so much even though u cant finish like that!!!! soooo cruel 😅 dying to watch next episode !!!!! ♥

Yunchn is absolutely epic. I'll explore more about how other pianists plays LIszt's. This video will be one of my favorites.

정말 오랫동안 기다렸습니다. 한국어자막 다시한번 부탁드립니다. 또한 영혼을 갈아넣은듯한 영상 만들어주셔서 진심으로 감사합니다^^

Extraordinary incisive and dense analysis Bravo to all Ben, Anton Nel, Jed Distler, and Asiya Korepanova.You really shinnes! : For me Yoon-chan Is THE greatest discovery of the millennium ever sInce Galileo discovered the Earth revolves around the sun He captures masterfully the pulse,heart and soul of every piece he plays, He exudes confidence,character and charm The audience can connect to his warmth, humility and genuiness... What more can anyone want ? - Yan Ayrton, a YOUNG classical composer in development and evolution from the XXI century. .It is time to discovery me.A new world of musical art and significance will open to you. Yes , you Yoon-chanLim, deserves without delay a blue-ray (or even 4k) special edition produced with professionalism and care.. Great profits quickly turn it from worldwide. I think that Yuncham deserves full and solid financial independence to become little by little a legendary composer.Humanity waits for this I hope he soon record the remarkable Sonate in B minor from Liszt, the stupend and unique Hamerklavier Sonate from Beethoven , the piu bello 2nd Piano Concert from Rachmaninoff, and my " Awakening to Life" special piano solo composition that only lasts a minute but means a full lifetime. - Yan Ayrton , ein junge klassicher Komponist ”Music is the universal language of mankind.” ― Yan Ayrton , young classical composer .”To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.” ― Ludwig van Beethoven. .”No matter how fast and accurate your fingers move on the piano, your music isn't complete without emotion.”. - YanAyrton "Ludwig van Beethoven IS the very apex from the Human Creation.He remains not surpassed by anyone .He stands reverentlly by meritus & absolute grace close near and imbricated with The Mind And Heart From God." ― Yan Ayrton ”.I create the new.What was never created before.”. ― Yan Ayrton , young classical composer from XXI century. "My piano is to me what a ship is to the sailor, what a steed is to the Arab. It is the intimate personal depository of everything that stirred wildly in my brain during the most impassioned days of my youth. It was there that all my wishes, all my dreams, all my joys, and all my sorrows lay." ― Franz Liszt "My sole ambition as a composer is to hurl my javelin into the infinite space of the future." ― Franz Liszt "The supreme harmony of the Cosmos is selected in the harmony of the spirit." ― .Franz Liszt "My mind and fingers have worked like the damned. Homer, the Bible, Plato,, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, are all around me. I study them. I devour them with fury." ― Franz Liszt "It's so remarkable and unique that Liszt wrote the first version of these transcendental etudes at 15 FIFTEEN! years old. Someone could repeat this at any time? I don't believe " ― Yan Ayrton "For the virtuoso, musical works are in fact nothing but tragic and moving materializations of his emotions; he is called upon to make them speak, weep, sing and sigh, to recreate them in accordance with his own consciousness. In this way he, like the composer, is a creator, for he must have within himself those passions that he wishes to bring so intensely to life." ~ Franz Liszt "I think that Franz Liszt would be proud of my "Awakening to Life" synthesis piano composition" ― Yan Ayrton >>> .ARS SEMPER.VITA PLENA.HIC VIVIT FELICITATEM ― Yan Ayrton, classical composer >The idea is launched.It's time to act.

Surely, his hair style is similar to those of Beatles. I hope you can review the upcoming YC Lim's concerts in Texas (El Paso, Fort Worth, and Houston) as well.

Thank you, tonbase Piano! Luckily, I was in Yunchan's perforemance in Korea last month. 정말 감사합니다. I watched twice this video clip.