Pianist Yunchan Lim and soprano Lim Sun-hae perform Mozart's concert aria "Ch'io mi scordi di te?" at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul, June 15. Courtesy of Mok Production
What might have been going through Mozart's mind as he sat at the keyboard composing a concert aria for British soprano Nancy Storace? Watching pianist Yunchan Lim's performance on Monday, perhaps it was simply the hope that her voice would shine.
Appearing at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul on June 15 with Austria's Camerata Salzburg, conductor Masato Suzuki and Korean soprano Lim Sun-hae, Lim deliberately set aside the image of the commanding solo virtuoso. Instead, he presented himself as an attentive ensemble musician, embracing the orchestra and vocalist with uncommon sensitivity.
Even his appearance reflected a change. Having cut the long hair he wore during his recital tour last month, Lim took the stage with a shorter hairstyle and a classic brooch pinned to his jacket.
The program was devoted entirely to Mozart, featuring Piano Concertos No. 25 and No. 24, with the concert aria "Ch'io mi scordi di te?" between them. In an unusual format, the featured soloist remained on stage from the opening work through the encore.
