Entertainment · Books & Arts · 2 hrs ago
Paik Kun-woo urges young musicians to broaden their horizons
South Korean pianist Paik Kun-woo is marking 70 years in music with an autobiography and concerts alongside younger musicians.
He made his debut in 1956, aged 10, and later studied at New York's Juilliard School before building an international career.
His autobiography is due out Nov.
20 and looks back on his childhood, studies, decades in Europe and encounters with composers including Beethoven, Chopin and Schumann.
Paik said his years abroad were part of both his personal story and Korea's history, and that he hoped sharing them could help the next generation.
He wants young musicians to explore a wider musical world and find the repertoire that suits them, rather than relying on a teacher to choose it for them.
His anniversary concerts will bring him together with seven young pianists and two percussionists in performances in Daegu on Nov.
29 and Seoul on Dec.
2.
The concerts will feature works by Simeon ten Holt and George Crumb, as well as arrangements of music by Mozart, Berlioz and Ravel.
Pianist Paik Kun-woo urged young musicians to broaden their musical horizons and find their own artistic paths.
He made the remarks at a press conference in Seoul on Nov. 10, ahead of the release of his autobiography.
The book, roughly translated as “Paik Kun-woo: My Story,” is set for publication on Nov. 20 and marks the 70th anniversary of his career.
Paik said young musicians should look beyond a narrow musical world and choose repertoire that suits them.
To mark the anniversary, he has planned collaborative concerts with young musicians in Daegu and Seoul.
- Who
- Pianist Paik Kun-woo.
- What
- He urged young musicians to broaden their musical horizons and find their own artistic paths.
- When
- He made the remarks on Nov. 10, 2026. His autobiography is set for release on Nov. 20.
- Where
- At a press conference in Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- He said he hoped his experiences and advice could help the next generation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Paik made his debut performing a piano concerto with a local orchestra at age 10.
Paik urged young musicians to broaden their horizons at a press conference in Seoul.
Paik’s autobiography is set for release.
Paik is scheduled to perform with young musicians at Suseong Artpia in Daegu.
Paik is scheduled to perform with young musicians at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall.
- Career anniversary
- 70th anniversary
- Debut
- 1956, at age 10
- Autobiography release
- Nov. 20
- Daegu concert
- Nov. 29, Suseong Artpia
- Seoul concert
- Dec. 2, Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall
- Concert performers
- Seven young pianists and two percussionists
What people are saying
I hope they can see a wider world.
They also need to cultivate the ability to find the repertoire that fits them best.
That is not something a teacher can do for them -- it is something they must do for themselves.
By telling this story, I thought it could help the next generation in some way.