Im Yoon-chan Channels Jazz Rhythms in Ravel Piano Concerto Debut
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
On Dec. 4 at Seoul Arts Center, 21-year-old pianist Im Yoon-chan made his domestic and international debut of Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Harding. The concerto’s jazz-infused rhythms and clear textures were highlighted: the lively first movement featured playful exchanges between piano and orchestra, the lyrical second movement showcased Im’s intense, focused touch and delicate phrasing, and the brisk third movement built to a festive climax. Despite a brief distraction from a phone sound in the audience, Im maintained control and deepened the sense of immersion. He returned for two encores—his own arrangement of “Goyup” (a Korean piece title) and Korngold’s “Schöne Nacht”—earning sustained applause. The Santa Cecilia Orchestra also performed Verdi and Rachmaninoff, rounding out an acclaimed evening.
