| An
interview article by Rosemary Phillips
Michael
Kim, one of Canada's finest concert pianists, was preparing
for his performance with the Vancouver Island Symphony in
Nanaimo, B.C. when he gave this interview by phone from Lawrence
University in Wisconsin. He had just married pianist Kyungran
Park and was very excited about his new life. (June 2008 -
see end of article for update on Michael's new position as
Dean of Brandon University School of Music in Brandon, Manitoba.)
Michael Kim - the most thrilling year of his life
|
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| Michael Kim - Pianist |
Recently concert pianist Michael Kim married pianist Kyungran
Park. Says Kim with excitement, "This has added a completely
new dimension to my life."
Kim, who will be performing with the Vancouver Island Symphony
on Saturday, April 21, 2001, is not only one of Canada's finest
pianists he is in demand right across North America for performances.
In addition he is thoroughly enjoying his position as assistant
professor of music at Lawrence University in Wisconsin.
To add to his success he now has the perfect partner. "This
is one of the most thrilling years of my life. Who could better
understand me than another pianist," adds Kim. "My
performance has really been enhanced because Kyungran understands
what I do, and I'm the happiest man in the world. Even our
honeymoon has had to be delayed because we are so busy. I
had four recitals the week after our wedding."
Michael Kim was a late starter with the piano - but
he was persistent
Kim was a late starter with the piano. His mother often played
classical music on the stereo in the home, and he was drawn
to the dynamic range and sound of the piano. His father, a
professional musician, tried to deter him. Kim was persistent,
and at the age of 11 he started lessons. Like the cartoon
character Schroeder from "Peanuts&", he lived
and breathed piano. "I practiced three or four hours
a day, right off the bat," says Kim. "My aim was
to play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto. The piano became the
focus of my life. I did my best at school and got a number
of academic scholarships but piano was my main interest. I
love the feeling of the contact with the keys, that tactile
feeling, the endless ways of manipulating the sound."
Kim was very much a loner. As he went through school he played
for his buddies, and did recitals, but his friends didn't
always understand why he spent so much time with his piano.
Then at the age of 15 he had his first big breakthrough when
he played Rachmaninov's 1st Piano Concerto with the Calgary
Philharmonic. "It was a really neat experience. It's
always interesting for a young player with an orchestra,"
explains Kim. "There are musical liberties one can take
as a recitalist that become much more problematic to do as
a soloist with an orchestra. There are up to 80 of them and
only one of you. In the past 18 years I have gained a lot
of experience and adjusted to being more flexible."
From Calgary Kim went on to the University of Victoria and
studied under Robin Wood then back to Calgary to finish his
undergraduate studies with Marilyn Engle. That same year he
won the grand prize in the CBC competition. "That was
my breakthrough," he added. "There was a lot of
radio exposure and it set the whole ball in motion for me."
At the Juilliard School in New York he obtained his master's
degree and doctorate. "Being in New York helped make
me a much more rounded person. The city has such a rich cultural
environment, and great food." (His favourite is Sushi.)
After completing his doctorate in 1996, the position with
Lawrence University in Wisconsin came up, and now he balances
two careers.
Michael Kim likes to play pinball
"Most performances happen on weekends, so I don't have
much time to myself," says Kim. When he does get a break
he enjoys reading, hiking and fishing, and his passion - pinball.
"I spend so much of my day thinking hard, so when it
comes to leisure I like something mindless, and pinballs and
video games are perfect."
Michael Kim plays Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 Op.
15 in D minor
Right now he's actively practicing the Brahms' Piano Concerto
No. 1 Op. 15 in D minor, ready for his performance with the
Vancouver Island Symphony. "It's the ultimate piece for
piano and orchestra. It's one of the greatest, it's gorgeous,"
explains Kim. "I've always wanted to play this with an
orchestra and I was really excited when conductor Marlin Wolfe
invited me. It's a massive piece, about 50 minutes long, like
a gigantic symphony with piano obbligato. With a lot of concertos
the piano is the star. With Brahms you are an integral part
of the orchestral texture. You are actually a part of the
orchestra. This will be a stimulating and wonderful musical
experience."
Update June 2008 - Michael Kim appointed Dean
of Brandon University School of Music
Michael Kim has recently been appointed Dean of Brandon University
School of Music in Brandon, Manitoba. Dr. Kim will begin his
five year position starting August 2008.
Says Michael, "Being selected Dean of a wonderful school
and returning to Canada for such an appointment is tremendous
and inspirational. Brandon University School of Music has
an outstanding reputation and I look forward to working with
the faculty and staff. Collectively, we will enrich the student
experience in their artistic and academic growth. These are
the formative stages of their careers and the School of Music
will solidify their artistic foundation in preparation of
whatever path they choose."
Michael will be returning to Canada after twelve years on
faculty at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton,
Wisconsin. He was Associate Professor of Music, Chair of the
Keyboard Department, and Faculty Associate to the President.
Dr. Kim will apply his performance activities and experience
to now include the exciting responsibilities of guiding the
next generation of musicians at Brandon University.
For more information regarding Michael Kim please contact:
Andrew
Kwan Artists.
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