"More Important Than Winning Competitions Is Performance Activity, Will Showcase Young Performers"

Violinist Yang Inmo, Winner of the Sibelius Competition
"I Don't Want a Career That Shines Briefly and Disappears"
"Plan to Devote Myself to 21st Century Contemporary Music"
"Studying Composition to Perform My Own Works, Seeking Music Needed in Contemporary Times"

Violinist Yang In-mo. Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] “I often see performers stagnate after winning competitions. Many shine briefly and then disappear. That scares me. I often wonder, ‘Can I sustain my career consistently?’ But I think if one maintains curiosity about music and approaches it sincerely and honestly, it is possible to gradually continue building a career.”

Violinist Yang Inmo (27), the first Korean to win the Finland Jean Sibelius Competition, said at a press conference held on the 27th at Lotte Concert Hall, “Competitions are a stage where I can understand the level of my performance and my current position.”

At his first press conference since winning the Sibelius Competition, Yang Inmo said, “I challenged myself because I needed change,” but also emphasized, “Competitions are a good opportunity to gain recognition and promote my performance, but I don’t think everyone needs to participate in competitions.”

Previously, Yang Inmo was recognized for his skills by winning the 54th Premio Paganini International Violin Competition in 2015. However, he says competitions are not essential for performers. “Many European performers build successful careers without entering competitions,” he said, adding, “Winning a competition is not the end; it is more important to plan which conductors and performers to collaborate with after winning.”

Violinist Yang In-mo. Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation

The stages that disappeared due to COVID-19 and the prolonged pandemic brought worries and despair to many performers. Yang Inmo said he had no intention of entering competitions again after winning the Paganini Competition. However, for a performer whose entire life is practice, the absence of a stage to showcase results raised a fundamental question: ‘Why am I needed in this world?’ He said, “I think I needed stimulation,” and added, “Having a goal and achieving it, then looking forward to what comes next?that was the competition.” As planned, he gained more performance opportunities through this competition and victory, and expanded his musical interests through stimulation and inspiration.

He introduced that he has recently taken a great interest in contemporary music, saying, “It doesn’t make sense for a musician living in the 21st century not to be interested in 21st-century music.” Yang Inmo will perform as a soloist at the 60th anniversary concert of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra held at Lotte Concert Hall on the 10th of next month. He will present the Violin Concerto No. 1 by Jin Eun-sook, a Korean composer who has gained worldwide acclaim. He said, “Since its Korean premiere in 2001, this piece has not been performed often, and I don’t know when it will be performed again. I have prepared a lot as much as I look forward to it, and we plan to have more than four rehearsals,” expressing his anticipation for the upcoming performance.

Violinist Yang In-mo. Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation

Ultimately, he named ‘composition’ as what he wants to do. “I think I would be happy if I could compose a violin concerto and perform it myself. I am studying counterpoint and composing a little every day,” he said. “Although I know a lot about music, when I sit in front of the staff paper and can’t write anything, I feel the greatness of composers a lot and at the same time want to bring my music out into the world,” he confessed.

Before the Busan Philharmonic performance, Yang Inmo will appear on the stage of ‘K-Classic Coloring Autumn’ with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Blue House State Guest House on the 7th of the same month. His schedule for next year is also filling up with collaborations with various overseas orchestras such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo New City Orchestra, and Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

He said contemporary music should be thought of simply, stating, “I think all the sounds you hear while walking through any street in Seoul now are contemporary music,” and added, “Because it is new, there is no need to find it difficult, and I hope it becomes a playground-like stage where anyone can come, enjoy, and leave.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.