Featured Soloist: In Conversation with Violinist Kyung Sun Lee
We caught up with violinist Kyung Sun Lee, featured soloist of Symphonie Concertante
Here’s what she had to say about returning to CityMusic for our 20th season, how she acquired her violin from 1793, and how yoga has become a new part of her routine.
Hi Kyung Sun! It’s great to talk with you. Let’s start with an easy one. What prompted you to start playing the violin?
It's fascinating how people develop their musical talents. In my case, my parents had four daughters, and they made it a point for each of us to learn a musical instrument as a hobby. I started with the piano at the age of 6 and ended up learning both piano and violin, but I found that my body was better suited for the violin than the piano. So, I made the decision to become a violinist at the age of 13.
What's the best piece of advice another musician has ever given you?
My mentor and the most influential teacher, Sylvia Rosenberg, has given me so much wisdom and guidance through the years. One thing that stands out is "Believe in yourself! Be better than you were yesterday!"
Tell me about your favorite performance in your career.
I have a conductorless string chamber orchestra in Korea called Seoul Virtuosi. It has been about 7 years now, and I always love performing as a soloist with this group because we can really delve into all the issues at the highest level.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
Lately, I have been loving cooking and doing yoga.
You play on a Joseph Guarnerius violin from 1723. How did you acquire it?
When I was studying at Peabody Conservatory, there was a violin dealer who asked for my opinion about this fiddle. I instantly fell in love with it. It was out of my financial reach, but I had to trade my own violin and borrow a lot of money from the bank. Ironically, it has been exactly 30 years since then, and this violin is exactly 300 years old this year. FYI Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" was written in the same year and in the same country.
What’s your favorite part of performing with CityMusic?
As I mentioned before, I always love playing with small orchestras, especially without a conductor. I also love the fact that there will be multiple performances, not just one. I always play a bit differently, and I am curious about which night's concert will be the best.
You were CityMusic’s first featured soloist. How does it feel to come back throughout the years and be featured at the first show of the 20th season?
When I first met Dr. Ron Strauss, the founder of CityMusic on an airplane over 20 years ago, he was an amateur violinist, and I was a junior professor at Oberlin Conservatory. I ended up giving him weekly lessons, and we became lifelong friends. Ron invited me to play his favorite violin piece, the Mozart Concert No. 5 at the first season of CityMusic. Now I am performing another Mozart piece and I feel like I am coming back to my hometown.
What have you been up to recently?
I thought Korea would be my last destiny to spend the rest of my life. Recently, I came back to the States after 13 years of teaching at Seoul National University and just started teaching at Indiana University. I am more than honored to receive the title of Dorothy Starling Chair for Distinguished Professor.
That’s wonderful to hear. Thanks for talking with us Kyung Sun! We’re thrilled to have you back for our Symphonie Concertante performances.