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So Hyun Kim

Pianist & Composer

Canada

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About

Kim So Hyun was born in Korea, lived in Suncheon, and raised in a family that would be considered, ordinary. Although she grew up in Korea where the classical music market is exceedingly small, she enjoyed listening to classical music rather than pop songs at a very young age.

The urge to learn music was so great that she eventually dropped out of high school to study music and to acquire various cultures relating to the arts. Following her music studies, she majored in classical music after being accepted to university and received a master's degree in Dance Music.

As a composer, she has never acquired any lessons in music composition, but she has released 70 compositions that are very popular and are used in ballet institutions all over the world. She is highly regarded as a ballet pianist who has introduced an incredibly unique set of colors in the world of ballet dancing music.

She has been working for ballet schools, universities, and ballet institutions as a pianist and most recently she has moved to Toronto, Canada to extend her knowledge on the western culture of music.

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Interview

What does music mean to you personally?

Music is my job, hobby and what I'm obsessed with.

Do you agree that music is all about fantasy?

To me, music is a means of conveying an implication of emotion that cannot be expressed in words and it is also a wide channel of communication with people I can't meet in person. I do not believe It's a fantasy, but more so, a part of real life.

If you were not a professional musician, what would you have been?

I have never thought about it, and it saddens me to think that I would not have become a professional musician/pianist in this life. But if this were true, I might have become someone within the arts or an apple farmer.

The classical music audience is getting old, are you worried about the future?

As the number of digital music platforms increases, I am less and less worried because my music seems to be spreading further and further around the world. This would be the same for all classical and modern classical music composers. It is also quite interesting to be known where I have never been.

What do you envision the role of music to be in the 21st century? Do you see that there is a transformation of this role?

Of course, the role of using music has changed over time, but I think it depends on what an individual gets from music.

Music allows scientists to think intuitively, allows writers to broaden their indirect experiences, and allows workers to relax their minds and experience more diverse emotions. Therefore, I think the most positive role of music is to provide a more valuable and stable life.

Do you think that the musician today needs to be more creative? What is the role of creativity in the musical process for you?

Authenticity is more important than creativity. Unconsciously born creativity must of course be highly appreciated. However, if someone focuses on creating unique works without sincerity, the nature of the work will be blurred.

Do you think we as musicians can do something to attract the younger generation to music concerts? How would you do this?

All media outlets, including advertisements, dramas, movies, and documentaries, are in contact with music. Delivering more interesting and valuable classical music to the younger generation who communicate through the media is a constant challenge for us.

Tell us about your creative process. What is your favorite piece (written by you) and how did you start working on it?

Nothing comes from nothing. I tend to study a lot about my favorite musician. I analyze which part of this song I like, which part I am touched by, and which harmony stimulates my ears. Just as all the musicians of the last century were influenced and imitated someone, I am influenced a lot by my favorite musicians and develop it into my own style. Recently I have become very fond of Poulenc’s music and I am really studying him a lot. His influence appears, and can be heard, in my second album 'Developpes'. This is most definitely my favorite pieces.

Can you give some advice for young people who want to discover classical music for themselves?

Based on experience, it seems most important to listen carefully and analyze, and find out clearly what style you like! I am also following this process.

Do you think about the audience when composing?

Obviously, of course… Because I write music for dance, I must always think of dancers who dance to my music. 'Can their bodies move freely like silk?' 'Can my music be a drawing paper to draw their feelings?" I have no choice but to write music while imagining the body of dancers moving along with the music. I will also be mindful in considering whether a general audience has the capabilities to imagine a movement in the piece while it is being performed.

What projects are coming up? Do you experiment in your projects?

Since my second album, as well as my music scores have just been released, I will be looking at film scoring in the new year. I have already begun to study this style of creation and I am ready for the new challenge. Please be aware that there will be more of my music compositions to listen to in the new year. Yes, new music and I gracefully invite all of you to follow me in this path.