Il-Jin Kim
Encyclopedia
Kim Il-Jin is a North Korean conductor.
He was born in Manpo, a city of Jagang Province, but he grew up mainly in Wonsan
. He studied cello
in Pyongyang University of Music and Dance
.
After graduating in 1977, Kim joined the Mansudae Arts Troupe as a cellist but he turned to conducting shortly after. He went to Russia
and studied conducting at the Moscow Conservatory
.
In 1985, Kim participated in the Herbert von Karajan
International Conductors Competition in West Berlin
and took second prize. He is the only North Korean to have won this competition.
After returning to North Korea, Kim rejoined the Mansudae Arts Troupe as a conductor. He also rehearsed the Troupe's famous Merited Female Instrumental Ensemble and founded the Isang Yun Orchestra
in 1990.
Kim received a title of 'Merited Artist' in 1988.
He was born in Manpo, a city of Jagang Province, but he grew up mainly in Wonsan
Wonsan
Wŏnsan is a port city and naval base in southeastern North Korea. It is the capital of Kangwŏn Province. The population of the city is estimated to have been 331,000 in 2000. Notable people from Wŏnsan include Kim Ki Nam, diplomat and Secretary of the Workers' Party.- History :The original name of...
. He studied cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
in Pyongyang University of Music and Dance
Pyongyang University of Music and Dance
The Pyongyang University of Music and Dance is a North Korean performing arts university founded in July 1972 in the Taedonggang District of Pyongyang from a merge with the Pyongyang Art College. The university has been awarded several North Korean awards for Juche-orientated artworks and...
.
After graduating in 1977, Kim joined the Mansudae Arts Troupe as a cellist but he turned to conducting shortly after. He went to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and studied conducting at the Moscow Conservatory
Moscow Conservatory
The Moscow Conservatory is a higher musical education institution in Moscow, and the second oldest conservatory in Russia after St. Petersburg Conservatory. Along with the St...
.
In 1985, Kim participated in the Herbert von Karajan
Herbert von Karajan
Herbert von Karajan was an Austrian orchestra and opera conductor. To the wider world he was perhaps most famously associated with the Berlin Philharmonic, of which he was principal conductor for 35 years...
International Conductors Competition in West Berlin
West Berlin
West Berlin was a political exclave that existed between 1949 and 1990. It comprised the western regions of Berlin, which were bordered by East Berlin and parts of East Germany. West Berlin consisted of the American, British, and French occupation sectors, which had been established in 1945...
and took second prize. He is the only North Korean to have won this competition.
After returning to North Korea, Kim rejoined the Mansudae Arts Troupe as a conductor. He also rehearsed the Troupe's famous Merited Female Instrumental Ensemble and founded the Isang Yun Orchestra
Isang Yun Orchestra
The Isang Yun Orchestra is only one chamber orchestra of Western style in North Korea.-History:The IYO established in December 1990 under well-known conductor Il-Jin Kim. He gathered 42 effective young performers all over the country and named after famous composer Isang Yun...
in 1990.
Kim received a title of 'Merited Artist' in 1988.