[On Stage] "Preparing for the 2010 Chopin Competition Changed How I Learn Music"

Avzeyeva Returns to Korea After Two Years
Performing Preludes by Chopin and Shostakovich

Russian pianist Yuliana Avzeyeva drew significant attention when she won the Chopin Competition in 2010. She became the first female winner in 45 years since Martha Argerich in 1965. Her victory, however, was also controversial. At the time, there were debates regarding frequent technical mistakes in Avzeyeva's performance during the finals and whether the second-place winner, Ingolf Wunder, had delivered a superior performance.

In fact, Avzeyeva had hesitated about participating in the 2010 Chopin Competition. In a written interview with Asia Economy, she said, "I questioned whether I was qualified to dare play Chopin at my level back then." Despite her doubts about competing, she ended up achieving the greatest honor of her career.

Avzeyeva was evaluated as lacking in technical perfection but praised for her distinctly individual style. Even after her competition victory, she has continued to showcase her unique musical identity. Yoon Hongchun, a professor at Korea National University of Arts who studied with Avzeyeva at the Como Piano Academy in Italy before the 2010 Chopin Competition, described her as "a performer with a strong sense of individuality."

Yuliana Avzeyeva [Photo by Mastmedia, (c)Maxim Abrossimow]

Avzeyeva stated that preparing for the Chopin Competition opened her eyes to a new way of studying music, making the process itself meaningful. She said, "Before the Chopin Competition, my focus was mainly on studying the score, but while preparing for the competition, I learned to delve much deeper, and I have continued with that approach ever since." She added that this method is "a way of learning more about the world and people through music."

On September 21, Avzeyeva will hold a solo recital at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. This marks her return to Korea after two years, following her previous visit in 2023. In 2023, she performed only works by Chopin. In an interview at that time, she remarked, "It has been 13 years since I performed a recital solely with Chopin's works," and added, "It seems I needed a significant period of personal growth before deciding to present a program exclusively of Chopin," expressing her continued cautious approach to performing Chopin.

For this recital, Avzeyeva will add Shostakovich to her Chopin repertoire. In the first half, she will perform seven pieces from Shostakovich's "24 Preludes and Fugues": Nos. 1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 14, and 24. In the second half, she will play the complete "24 Preludes" by Chopin.

Yuliana Avzeyeva [Photo courtesy of Mastmedia, (c)Maxim Abrossimow]

Avzeyeva noted that although Chopin and Shostakovich lived in different eras and spoke different musical languages, comparing their musical worlds could be intriguing.

"Shostakovich participated in the first Chopin Competition held in Warsaw in 1927. Although he did not win any prizes, he was known for his highly individualistic and unconventional approach. Despite the differences in era and language, if Shostakovich had long engaged with Chopin's music and become familiar with its language, it would be fascinating to view both worlds side by side."

Avzeyeva especially pointed out that the pieces by Chopin and Shostakovich she will perform both have their origins in Bach's "The Well-Tempered Clavier." "The roots are the same, but the expressions are different. For example, some of Shostakovich's pieces, like the Prelude in G-sharp major, evoke Chopin. Thanks to this, I have come to see Shostakovich's music not only as 'structural' and 'realistic,' but also as embracing the spirit of Romanticism."

Avzeyeva's 2023 recital was her first in eight years since 2015. This time, her return comes after only two years, making her visit to Korea shorter. Avzeyeva said, "I am truly grateful and excited to be returning to Seoul so soon." She added, "Thanks to wonderful venues like the Seoul Arts Center and the excellent audiences, my time in Korea is always enjoyable. I hope to come more often."

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