Clara Jumi Kang: "With Sunwook Kim, Four Sonatas Are Possible"

"It is rare for a duo performance by a violinist and a pianist to feature as many as four sonatas. Such a performance requires a great deal of trust and perfect harmony between the two musicians."

Violinist Clara Jumi Kang expressed deep trust in pianist Sunwook Kim, with whom she will share the stage in their upcoming duo concert. The duo performance by Clara Jumi Kang and Sunwook Kim will take place on May 23, 2026, at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. This marks their first duo performance in Korea in five years.

The program will begin with Beethoven's Violin Sonata No. 1, followed by the lyrical sonata by Respighi, Weinberg's Sonata No. 4—which has recently been receiving renewed attention—and the dazzling, technically demanding sonata by Richard Strauss.

Violinist Clara Jumi Kang is performing at a press conference held at the Credia Classic Club in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Credia

Duo performance on the 23rd: "Perfect harmony with Sunwook Kim... Inspired by his passion"

Clara Jumi Kang explained that she selected four sonatas for the program because she is performing with such an outstanding pianist. She said, "Whenever I perform with a remarkable solo pianist like Sunwook Kim, we are able to play four sonatas together," and added, "I especially chose the pieces by Respighi and Strauss because I believe they suit Sunwook Kim very well."

Clara Jumi Kang and Sunwook Kim have collaborated for a long time. Six years ago, they released a complete recording of Beethoven's piano sonatas together. Kang recalled, "During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we recorded the complete Beethoven piano sonatas over three sessions, and in 2021, we went on tour," adding, "Our chemistry was exceptional at the time, and we grew tremendously as musicians." Kang also said, "Sunwook Kim is a pianist whose passion for music is extraordinary—he thinks about music all day long. Just having such a passionate musician around me is a great inspiration."

Kang noted that Sunwook Kim has experienced significant musical growth as he has recently taken on more conducting activities, and she herself has greatly benefited from this. She said, "He has always been a pianist who could express grand, orchestral qualities, but after he started conducting, his performances have become truly breathtaking—so much so that renowned violinists like Janine Jansen have commented that it feels like listening to an orchestra."

In January 2021, Sunwook Kim made his official debut as a conductor at Lotte Concert Hall, leading the KBS Symphony Orchestra's performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. He has since begun his full-fledged conducting career, serving as the music director and principal conductor of the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2024–2025 season.

Violinist Clara Jumi Kang is explaining about the upcoming duo performance with pianist Sunwook Kim, scheduled to be held on the 23rd at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center, during a press conference held at Credia Classic Club in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Credia

Collaboration with Maestro Barenboim in August: "A dream 27 years in the making comes true"

Clara Jumi Kang is also preparing for a collaboration with Maestro Daniel Barenboim this August. She is scheduled to perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, founded by Barenboim, at the Rheingau Festival in Germany. Kang described this as a precious moment—fulfilling a dream she has held for 27 years, explaining that previous opportunities to perform with Barenboim had repeatedly fallen through. She said, "When I was 12, I was supposed to perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Barenboim's baton, but a month before the concert, I injured my finger and was unable to play. Last year, I toured China and Europe with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, but instead of Barenboim, his close friend Zubin Mehta conducted."

Barenboim was born in 1942 and Zubin Mehta in 1936—both are renowned as great conductors. Kang will once again collaborate with Zubin Mehta next year during her performance with the New York Philharmonic. She said, "It is such an honor to perform with maestros like Barenboim and Zubin Mehta. When I imagine myself in the future, looking back and longing for these moments with such legends, I feel truly happy."

Born in 1987, Kang will turn 40 next year. She expressed her desire to continue performing on stage for as long as maestros like Barenboim. "I hope my prime lasts into my 50s and continues for about 30 years. The career span of violinists is much shorter than that of pianists or conductors, but I want to challenge that convention. I hope to perform without injury well into my 70s."

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