SEOUL, South Korea - Renowned pianist Seo Hye-kyung (65) shared her insights on the deep connection between life experience and artistic expression during a press conference on April 29th at the Prugio Art Center in Seoul. "Art is not a technique, but life itself, and life seems inextricably linked with the passage of time," she stated, emphasizing that "one cannot imbue music with a life unlived."

Seo Hye-kyung is a pioneering figure among Korean pianists who achieved international acclaim. Her breakthrough came in 1980 at the age of 20, when she became the first Asian musician to secure joint second place (with no first prize awarded) at the prestigious Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in Bolzano, Italy. This marked the beginning of a distinguished career that has seen her perform with leading orchestras worldwide, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the London Philharmonic, and the Moscow Philharmonic, under the baton of esteemed conductors such as Charles Dutoit and Riccardo Muti.

This year holds special significance as it marks the 60th anniversary of Seo Hye-kyung's journey with the piano. To commemorate this milestone, she will embark on a series of four relay concerts in May. Performances are scheduled for May 7th, 13th, and 27th at Ilshin Hall in Yongsan-gu, and on May 21st at Cosmos Art Hall in Seocho-gu.

Reflecting on her artistic evolution, Seo noted, "The depth I bring to my playing now is fundamentally different from the energetic performances fueled by youthful passion in my earlier years. Balancing life as a mother of two and a professor while striving to maintain my presence on the global stage has been a constant endeavor. I aim to share profound music that resonates with the full spectrum of human emotions I have experienced throughout my life."

A particularly poignant moment in Seo's career occurred in January 2008, when she astonished audiences by performing Rachmaninoff's challenging Piano Concertos No. 2 and 3 consecutively with the KBS Symphony Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center. This performance took place while she was undergoing chemotherapy following a breast cancer diagnosis in 2006. Suh regards this concert as the most emotionally impactful of her six-decade-long career.

"I endured 33 radiation treatments and six rounds of chemotherapy. I also battled severe depression," she recounted. "Receiving the offer to perform Rachmaninoff's Second and Third Concertos amidst such adversity was significant. That performance became a testament to overcoming any misfortune and finding the strength to rise again. The entire audience was moved to tears."

Seo Hye-kyung characterizes herself as a "romantic style pianist," a tradition she deeply embraces. "Unlike string instruments, achieving a natural legato on the piano, a seamless connection between notes that emulates singing, is inherently challenging," she explained. "While contemporary young pianists like Yuju Wang and Lang Lang possess remarkable technical prowess, their performances can sometimes feel akin to a circus spectacle. My artistic pursuit lies in evoking romanticism that touches the human spirit, rather than merely showcasing technical brilliance."

Offering guidance to younger musicians aspiring to international careers, Seo emphasized the profound nature of the piano. "The piano is a wondrous instrument that yields beautiful sounds in direct proportion to the life experiences one pours into it. Attempting to succeed solely through technical skill is insufficient. Competitions are merely a starting point. It is crucial to avoid arrogance and to recognize oneself as a perpetual novice on the path of pianism."

The repertoire for her upcoming relay concerts features pieces that hold deep personal significance for the pianist. The program includes Ryu Jae-joon's Nocturne, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, and Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 (May 7th); Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto (May 21st); Ryu Jae-joon's Nocturne, Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, and Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto (May 27th); and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 with the Fleur Ensemble (May 13th). Through these performances, Suh Hae-kyung aims to share the rich tapestry of her musical journey and the profound connection between life, time, and art.

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