South Korean Composers Shine: Hanurij Lee and Kim Sin Take Top Honors at Bartók International Competition
Sharon Jung / Published November 25, 2024 07:42 PM
Sharon Jung
Courtesy of Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music
South Korean composers Hanurij Lee (18) and Kim Sin (30) have achieved a historic triumph at the Bartók International Composition Competition, held on November 23 in Budapest, Hungary. Lee claimed first place with her piano piece Vertigineux (Dizzying), while Kim secured second place, solidifying Korea’s growing influence in the global classical music scene.
Lee, a first-year student at the Korea National University of Arts, began her musical journey at the age of four. Earlier this year, she made headlines as the youngest winner of the JoongAng Music Competition. Her winning composition, Vertigineux, had already garnered attention after being selected and performed by renowned pianist Lim Yun Chan, bringing her innovative musical voice to a wider audience.
Kim Sin, a rising star in contemporary composition, continues to expand his international accolades. A graduate student at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Kim had previously won first prizes at the 2022 George Enescu International Competition and the Geneva International Music Competition. His consistent success underscores his position as a leading figure in modern composition.
The Bartók International Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for composers and performers, operates on a six-year cycle, rotating between piano, violin, chamber music, and composition categories. The composition section occurs biennially, and the winning works are incorporated into the repertoire of the subsequent instrumental competitions. Lee’s Vertigineux and Kim’s work will both be featured in next year’s Bartók International Piano Competition.
Both composers also received significant recognition beyond their rankings. Lee shared the prestigious Editio Musica Budapest Special Prize with Hungary’s third-place winner, Matyas Papp, and both of their works will be published and distributed. Meanwhile, Kim was awarded the Sonus Foundation Special Prize for his innovative contributions to composition. The awards include monetary prizes of €5,000 (approximately 7.33 million KRW) for Lee and €3,000 (approximately 4.4 million KRW) for Kim.
Their compositions were performed at the gala concert held at the Solti Hall of the Liszt Academy in Budapest. Jury member and pianist József Balog presented Lee’s Vertigineux and Kim’s work to the audience, showcasing the exceptional talent of these Korean composers.
This achievement adds to Korea’s growing legacy at the Bartók International Competition. In 2020, Kim Jong Hoon, also a student at the Korea National University of Arts, placed third, demonstrating Korea’s consistent presence in the global classical composition arena.
Lee and Kim’s success not only underscores their talent but also reflects the strength of Korea’s music education system and its ability to nurture world-class artists. Their achievements are expected to inspire the next generation of composers, further cementing Korea’s reputation as a powerhouse in classical music.
Sayart / Sharon Jung, guhuijeong784@gmail.com
Courtesy of Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music
South Korean composers Hanurij Lee (18) and Kim Sin (30) have achieved a historic triumph at the Bartók International Composition Competition, held on November 23 in Budapest, Hungary. Lee claimed first place with her piano piece Vertigineux (Dizzying), while Kim secured second place, solidifying Korea’s growing influence in the global classical music scene.
Lee, a first-year student at the Korea National University of Arts, began her musical journey at the age of four. Earlier this year, she made headlines as the youngest winner of the JoongAng Music Competition. Her winning composition, Vertigineux, had already garnered attention after being selected and performed by renowned pianist Lim Yun Chan, bringing her innovative musical voice to a wider audience.
Kim Sin, a rising star in contemporary composition, continues to expand his international accolades. A graduate student at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Kim had previously won first prizes at the 2022 George Enescu International Competition and the Geneva International Music Competition. His consistent success underscores his position as a leading figure in modern composition.
The Bartók International Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for composers and performers, operates on a six-year cycle, rotating between piano, violin, chamber music, and composition categories. The composition section occurs biennially, and the winning works are incorporated into the repertoire of the subsequent instrumental competitions. Lee’s Vertigineux and Kim’s work will both be featured in next year’s Bartók International Piano Competition.
Both composers also received significant recognition beyond their rankings. Lee shared the prestigious Editio Musica Budapest Special Prize with Hungary’s third-place winner, Matyas Papp, and both of their works will be published and distributed. Meanwhile, Kim was awarded the Sonus Foundation Special Prize for his innovative contributions to composition. The awards include monetary prizes of €5,000 (approximately 7.33 million KRW) for Lee and €3,000 (approximately 4.4 million KRW) for Kim.
Their compositions were performed at the gala concert held at the Solti Hall of the Liszt Academy in Budapest. Jury member and pianist József Balog presented Lee’s Vertigineux and Kim’s work to the audience, showcasing the exceptional talent of these Korean composers.
This achievement adds to Korea’s growing legacy at the Bartók International Competition. In 2020, Kim Jong Hoon, also a student at the Korea National University of Arts, placed third, demonstrating Korea’s consistent presence in the global classical composition arena.
Lee and Kim’s success not only underscores their talent but also reflects the strength of Korea’s music education system and its ability to nurture world-class artists. Their achievements are expected to inspire the next generation of composers, further cementing Korea’s reputation as a powerhouse in classical music.
