Lim Yoonchan’s Carnegie Hall Live “Bach: Goldberg Variations” Earns Gold Right After Release

by Park Pyunghee

Published 06 Feb.2026 13:23(KST)

Universal Music announced that pianist Lim Yoonchan’s new album, “Bach: Goldberg Variations,” was released on the 6th.

This album contains the live recording of his performance at Carnegie Hall in New York on April 25 last year. Before the official album release, the first piece of the work, “Aria,” was released on various streaming platforms on October 21 last year.

Universal Music stated that the album achieved “Gold” status upon release. Gold is one of the certification levels based on classical album sales and, in the Korean market, signifies sales of more than 5,000 copies.

Lim Yunchan's new album 'Bach: Goldberg Variations' [Photo provided by Universal Music]

Regarding the Goldberg Variations, Lim Yoonchan explained, “It begins with the Aria, followed by 30 human songs, and ends with the Aria returning,” adding, “I felt this work as the journey of a human life written in music.” He continued, “It is the most human piece, full of playfulness and humor, and at the same time, every emotion wells up from the depths of the heart,” and said, “To release the Goldberg Variations as an album, and moreover as a live recording from Carnegie Hall, is perhaps the greatest honor for a pianist.”

About Lim Yoonchan’s Goldberg Variations album, The Times wrote, “Lim Yoonchan’s youthful and confident attitude conveys Bach’s music in a different way and further expands the sense of wonder that any great Goldberg performance ought to convey.” Hi-Fi Choice commented, “His near-perfect playing is intelligent and refined, full of subtle detail and individuality,” adding, “It is truly astonishing that this young performer has not been overly influenced by existing interpretations and has instead found his own distinct voice within the music.”

This album is Lim Yoonchan’s fourth release on Decca Classics.

Lim Yoonchan signed an exclusive contract with Decca Classics immediately after becoming the youngest-ever winner, at the age of 18, at the 16th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022. In April 2024, he released his studio debut album, “Chopin: Etudes,” which generated a strong response. In May last year, he released the album “Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3,” featuring the live recording of the 2022 Van Cliburn Competition finals, followed in August by the album “Tchaikovsky: The Seasons.”