Orchid Classics presents an album of encores for cello and piano performed by the outstanding South Korean cellist Hee-Young Lim and pianist Chuhui Liang. Praised by The Washington Post as ‘a deeply gifted musician’ with ‘an exceptional sense of lyricism’ and ‘near-flawless technique’, Hee-Young Lim has quickly established herself as one of the most charismatic, captivating and rapidly rising stars of the younger generation.
Pianist Dong Hyek Lim, a bit older than the youthful face in the graphics might suggest, has gained a reputation as a Chopin specialist, with restrained, often exquisitely detailed performances made for the small recital hall rather than for the concert hall. This was, of course, the kind of venue for which Chopin wrote most of his music, and this is a very fine tour through the much-recorded 24 Preludes, Op. 28, which form the centerpiece of this album. Lim does well to introduce things with the flashier and rarely played Variations brillantes in B flat major, Op. 12, commanding the listener's attention before delving into the Preludes, some of the most harmonically intricate music Chopin wrote. Sample any of the really famous Preludes, such as the Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4, for an idea of what Lim is up to here: he not only lingers over dissonances, but explores their potential directions with sensitivity and intelligence, all while keeping the top of the dynamic range not very high. Lim takes you back to the public world with the Berceuse in D flat major, Op. 57, and Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60, which show him to be capable of a more brilliant style. London's Henry Wood Hall fits these pieces well, but Warner's engineers might have gone with even a more intense, intimate space for the preludes. In any event, the performance of those is one of the most absorbing to have come along in quite some time.
Yunchan Lim is the one of the most talked-about classical artists on the planet. In 2024, he presents his debut studio album on Decca Classics - the Chopin Études, Op.10 & Op.25. "To me, Chopin is a composer who yearned for the past. I wanted the album cover to feel like solitude and nostalgia, and to look like you have come across an old photo." - Yunchan Lim
Superlim is lim´s second album (their first one was released on db-productions in 2002). This album was recorded in December 2004 and mixed, edited and produced by David Carlsson and lim in 2006. lim´s music is (still) based on rhytmic ideas, but the sound of the group has evolved into a more acoustic and suggestive one.
Yunchan Lim is the one of the most talked-about classical artists on the planet. In 2024, he presents his debut studio album on Decca Classics - the Chopin Études, Op.10 & Op.25. "To me, Chopin is a composer who yearned for the past. I wanted the album cover to feel like solitude and nostalgia, and to look like you have come across an old photo." - Yunchan Lim
Yunchan Lim is the one of the most talked-about classical artists on the planet. In 2024, he presents his debut studio album on Decca Classics - the Chopin Études, Op.10 & Op.25. "To me, Chopin is a composer who yearned for the past. I wanted the album cover to feel like solitude and nostalgia, and to look like you have come across an old photo." - Yunchan Lim