Violinist Inmo Yang poses prior to an interview with The Korea Times at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul, Jan. 6. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Violinist Inmo Yang, who has captivated audiences worldwide with his extraordinary performances of both Paganini and Sibelius, is undeniably one of the most rising stars in the classical music world.

In 2015, teenaged Yang clinched the title of the first Korean winner in nine years at the 54th Paganini International Violin Competition, drawing a new generation of young fans into classical music.

By meticulously performing Paganini, known as "The Devil's Violinist" for his difficult and complex pieces, the young virtuoso earned the nickname "Inmonini." Another nickname he picked up was "Inmobelius," following a win at the 12th Sibelius Violin Competition in 2022.

Now 29, the violinist has been solidifying his place with his unique ability to convey "inner sincerity" through his music. This year, his career continues to soar as Yang makes his debut with the New York Philharmonic in February, followed by a recital with The Korea Times in Seoul in March.

He stressed that his upcoming recital as The Korea Times' annual Spring Concert will be different and special, because he now has a clearer idea of the sound he wants to produce — shift from beautiful, polished tones to the "rough" and "noisy" sounds of the violin.

Inmo Yang performs during the "Inmo Yang & Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra" concert at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall in this 2023 photo. Courtesy of BonsookKoo

From polished to 'rough, noisy'

"After performing with (Greek violinist and conductor) Leonidas Kavakos in Tongyeong in 2023, I realized that his sound was quite rough and noisy up close. But I also realized that this 'roughness' wasn't perceptible to the audience. When playing with great musicians, you realize that their sounds can be even quite 'dirty' up close, but that's exactly what you need to hear if you want a clean core sound from a distance," Yang said during an interview with The Korea Times at Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District, southern Seoul, Jan. 6.

"Even though the sound is not loud and is full of noise up close, it's that noise that carries the sound far. In the past, I only sought to produce a clean, pure sound, but now I appreciate the noise of the instrument more. After playing in various concert halls, I realized that almost 70 percent of the sound of an instrument is noise. The more I listen to and appreciate this noise, the better my sound becomes on stage ... I realized that I should pay more attention to these noises myself. It was a turning point for me. Seeking out these new sounds I believe has broadened my musical vocabulary."

Yang, a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, has been using a Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin, crafted in Turin, Italy in 1772 and sponsored from 2022 as a prize for winning the Sibelius Competition.

He likened his violin to a "companion," describing his relationship with it as akin to having a bond with another person. He pays close attention to his instrument's daily changes, similar to how one might care for a friend. However, he emphasized that the violin is also a tool.

"I think an instrument is something through which I can express what I want to say, and it's a tool that I use to find something bigger. I'm more focused on what this tool can give me, what it can offer me personally," he said.

In the same context, even if music — as a form of art — feels a bit futile in today's war- and poverty- stricken world, Yang believes there are also areas that politics, law and other systems can't reach but only art can.

"I think artists have the ability to understand and empathize with emotions. There are definitely people who need to be protected, and I believe art can reach those people more directly. That's why I'm trying to do this. Even though art is very abstract, I want to believe in its power," he said.

"I think this is actually on a different spectrum from politics, but I believe we're looking at the same thing. Our job is to bring to the surface the neglected and marginalized aspects that aren't often highlighted."

Violinist Inmo Yang / Courtesy of Presto Company

Tribute to off-centered composers

His March recital, organized by The Korea Times, will open with Schubert's Sonatina for Violin and Piano in D Major D. 384. It continues to include Sibelius' lesser-known pieces like Danses Champetres, Op. 106 and Three Pieces, Op. 116, before closing with Schubert's Rondo Brillant in B Minor, D. 895.

Through this program, Yang aims to shed new light on the works of Sibelius and Schubert.

"Both composers seem to prioritize silence over sound. Sibelius, in particular, has a knack for creating powerful moments of stillness. His endings are often so abrupt, it's almost jarring. It's as if he's simply stated his piece and then vanished. Schubert, too, has a profound understanding of the weight of silence in his music," he said.

More importantly, according to Yang, both composers were "off-centered" musicians of the time, never fully conforming to the musical mainstream. So he described his program as a "tribute to those who ventured into and were lost in the musical forests."

"I think there are people who don't necessarily fit into the traditional classical music lineage of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Wagner, but who venture into their own unique musical forests. Schubert was overshadowed by Beethoven, and Sibelius was considered an outsider in his time. To me, both Schubert and Sibelius evoke a sense of being lost in a forest, searching for their own unique sound and isolated from the prevailing musical currents," he said.

"By preparing for this program, I've realized that even these 'lost' individuals can be a source of great inspiration for us. It's not just the mainstream that shapes our history; the inspirations we receive today come from a diverse range of historical sources."

For his upcoming recital in Korea, Yang didn't conceal his excitement.

"Performing in Korea is where I feel the most pressure to excel. My career began here and it's all thanks to my dedicated fans that I've achieved what I have today. Even though I've competed internationally, I believe my growing international recognition is a direct result of the strong support I've received from my Korean audience," he said.

"The Korean audience is predominantly young, something that's unheard of in Europe. It's truly remarkable. The energy I feel when performing in Korea is unlike anywhere else. It's this enthusiasm of the younger generation that truly inspires me."

"Violinist Inmo Yang Recital with The Korea Times" will be held at Seoul Arts Center on March 16.