YUNCHAN LIM
First recital at the Salle des Combins, following his triumphs at the Church (those historic Goldberg Variations in 2025!) for Yunchan Lim. A worldwide phenomenon — and rightfully so — as this young artist moves us deeply with his sound. For this major event of the 2026 edition, he presents a programme centred on the theme of Fantasy, featuring several masterworks of the Romantic repertoire.
Programme
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Fantaisie in F minor Op. 49
FRANZ SCHUBERT (1797-1828)
Piano Sonata in G Major D. 894 “Fantasie”
Interval
ROBERT SCHUMANN (1810-1856)
Fantasie in C Op. 17
Yunchan Lim plays Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Op. 37a: VI. June. Barcarolle at Verbier Festival
“The sky is happy, but sadness grips my heart”, wrote Chopin as he finished his Fantaisie. This contrast is palpable in the score, which responds to an inner imperative : the heartbreak of the composer’s soul. They give the work its greatest strength: refusing to be superfluous, Chopin paints a musical and mental picture of poignant veracity.
As for Schubert, this Fantasy is his most successful keyboard sonata, at least according to Robert Schumann, who was particularly fond of it. Imbued with serenity, it contrasts with Schubert’s other works, in which he retreated into solitude. Finally, Schumann’s Fantasy is a cry of love addressed to his future wife, at a time when such love was still impossible. These three works are driven by the composers’ desire to reflect their moods, but also by deep and complex structural principles: a major challenge for Yunchan Lim, which he will undoubtedly be able to handle, as his musical talent has now reached great heights.