Wassermann Piano Series

Biography

Youl Sun came to international prominence with a remarkable triple victory at the 2024 Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition, earning the Gold Medal, Audience Choice Prize, and Student Jury Prize. Known for his exceptional technique, musicality, and artistic maturity, he continues to build an international career with performances in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

His recent accomplishments include First Prize at the 2024 Seoul International Music Competition, Second Prize and the Audience Prize at the 2023 Viseu International Piano Competition in Portugal, and top prizes at the Isang Yun International Music Competition, the Istanbul Orchestra'Sion International Piano Competition, and the Maria Canals International Music Competition. Earlier honors include First Prize and the Polonaise Prize at the Asia-Pacific International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition.

A graduate of the Korea National University of Arts, where he was admitted as an artistic prodigy, Youl continued his studies in France at the Schola Cantorum de Paris and is currently enrolled at the École Normale de Musique de Paris, studying with Olivier Gardon. He is also an artistic scholar of the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation.

In collaboration with the Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation

Program

• Gabriela Lena Frank
  • Two Andean Portraits
    • Introducción: Zampoñas
    • Adagio del Altiplano
• Texu Kim
  • Pansori Fantasy
• Claude Debussy
  • Images, Book I
    • Reflets dans l’eau (Reflections in the Water)
    • Hommage à Rameau (Tribute to Rameau)
    • Mouvement (Movement)
  • Images, Book II
    • Cloches à travers les feuilles (Bells through the Leaves)
    • Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut (And the Moon Descends on the Temple That Was)
    • Poissons d’or (Goldfish)
• Franz Liszt
  • 12 Etudes d’ execution transcendante (12 Transcendental Etudes)
    • No. 1 in C Major (Preludio)
    • No. 2 in A Minor
    • No. 3 in F Major (Paysage)
    • No. 4 in D Minor (Mazeppa)
    • No. 5 in B-flat Major (Feux follets)
    • No. 6 in G Minor (Vision)
    • No. 7 in E-flat Major (Eroica)
    • No. 8 in C Minor (Wilde Jagd)
    • No. 9 in A-flat Major (Ricordanza)
    • No. 10 in F Minor
    • No. 11 in D-flat Major (Harmonies du soir)
    • No. 12 in B-flat Minor (Chasse-neige)

Credits

We would like to thank Dean Nicholas Morrison of the Caine School of the Arts, Interim Music Department Head Kevin Olson, and all our individual supporters, without whom this series would not be possible. If you would like to contribute to The Wassermann Piano Series in any amount, we enthusiastically welcome your support to bring these international-caliber artists and experiences to Logan. To make a tax-deductible donation, or for more details about the series, please email Dr. Cahill Smith or use our online donation portal.

We also invite you to follow our piano program on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on exciting developments with our program and students.