Violist Ji-yul Park will explore the expressive possibilities of her instrument in an upcoming Kumho Young Artist Concert, presenting a program that spans three centuries while celebrating the viola's distinctive warmth, depth and lyrical character.
Currently a junior at the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts), Park has curated a recital that brings together cornerstone works of the viola repertoire alongside arrangements that offer fresh perspectives on familiar masterpieces. Rather than serving simply as a display of technical prowess, the program is designed to highlight the instrument's unique tonal palette and expressive range.
The recital opens with selections from Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita for Solo Violin No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006, performed on the viola. The program includes the Preludio, Loure, Gavotte en rondeau and Gigue, allowing audiences to hear Bach's radiant dance movements through the viola's darker, more resonant voice while preserving the rhythmic vitality and structural elegance of the original work.
At the heart of the program is Johannes Brahms' Sonata for Viola and Piano No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 120 No. 2, one of the composer's final chamber works and a cornerstone of the viola repertoire. The sonata unfolds from the lyrical warmth of the Allegro amabile to the intensity of the Allegro appassionato before arriving at the expressive contrasts of the concluding Andante con moto – Allegro, capturing the introspective character of Brahms' late style.
The second half turns to Bach's Chromatic Fantasia in D Minor, BWV 903, presented in Zoltán Kodály's arrangement for viola. Originally conceived for keyboard, the work acquires a striking new character through the viola, where sweeping chromatic passages, dramatic contrasts and richly textured phrasing reveal another dimension of Bach's musical imagination.
Closing the recital is Rebecca Clarke's Sonata for Viola and Piano, widely regarded as one of the twentieth century's defining works for the instrument. Combining lyrical introspection with explosive energy, the sonata calls for exceptional technical command and emotional depth. The work also holds special meaning for Park, having been included on the commemorative album released after her first-place victory at Korea's Overseas Music Competition last year.
Park won first prize at the 2025 Overseas Music Competition and appeared as a featured young classical musician in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Cheong Wa Dae Foundation promotional film "Cheong Wa Dae for Everyone."
Her recent performances include the Doam Music Competition Winners Concert, the KCO National Music Competition Winners Concert, the Paris Music Forum Young Artist Series, the Osaka International Competition Winners Concert and a solo recital in the Elim Art Center Young Artist Series.
Earlier in her career, Park earned first prizes at the Ewha & Kyunghyang Music Competition, Segye Ilbo Music Competition, Strad Competition and HanEum Music Competition in 2022. She also claimed top honors at the Kukmin Ilbo–Hansei University Music Competition, the Sungjung Music Competition and the Music Journal Competition, establishing herself as one of Korea's most promising young violists.
Park has participated in masterclasses with Dimitri Murrath, Wilfried Strehle, Manchin Zhang and Nimrod Guez. She studied under Soon-hwa Oh, Soo-min Lee and Seo-young Lee, drawing on rigorous training and a growing range of international performance experience to shape her artistic voice.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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