Paul Kim (pianist)
Encyclopedia
Paul Kim is an American
classical pianist
.
Kim began his musical training in southern California
and continued his studies at The Juilliard School. At the Manhattan School of Music
he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees, and went on to earn a Ph.D. from New York University
. Among his teachers include Paul Jacobs
, Gary Graffman
, Solomon Mikowsky and Jerome Lowenthal
.
Kim is recognized as one of the leading specialists on the music of the French composer Olivier Messiaen
. Among Kim’s most notable achievements is his seven CD recording series comprising the complete piano works of Messiaen, released on the Centaur Records
label from 2001 to 2005. Included in the series are Messiaen’s major compositions such as Catalogue d’oiseaux, Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus
, and the two-piano work Visions de l'Amen recorded with his son, Matthew Kim, who was 15 years old at that time.
Critics have often noted Kim’s interpretations with references to his scholarly perspectives, athletic and poetic pianism, and spiritual qualities. The pianist Yvonne Loriod
, the late composer's wife and the foremost interpreter of his music, described Kim's performances as being "perfect in every way — technique, rhythm, color, sonority, emotion."
In 2007 it was reported that Kim was among the classical pianists victimized by the recording scandal of Joyce Hatto
. It was revealed that Hatto’s recording of Messiaen’s Vingt regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus was documented to be Kim’s 2002 recording released by Centaur Records.
Currently Kim is in the midst of a multi-volume recording series of Beethoven's Nine Symphonies, transcribed for piano
. The first volume, the Ninth Symphony, was recorded with his son Matthew and was released in 2008.
Kim has also received attention for his performances with his musical family. With his wife Judith Jeon, a soprano, Kim has performed widely in lieder recitals. In 1995, Kim and his son Matthew (at age nine) made their debut as a father-and-son piano duo with a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall
. The duo has expanded with the addition of Kim’s younger son, James. The trio of pianists, Paul Kim & Sons, has since performed throughout the world, often in benefit concerts for various social and charitable causes.
In addition to his performing career, Kim is president and co-founder of the Music Angels International Foundation. A profile of Kim's spiritual journey in music was featured in the book Creative Spirituality: The Way of the Artist written by Robert Wuthnow
.
Kim currently serves as a professor of piano and music history at Long Island University C.W. Post Campus
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
classical pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Kim began his musical training in southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
and continued his studies at The Juilliard School. At the Manhattan School of Music
Manhattan School of Music
The Manhattan School of Music is a major music conservatory located on the Upper West Side of New York City. The school offers degrees on the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels in the areas of classical and jazz performance and composition...
he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees, and went on to earn a Ph.D. from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. Among his teachers include Paul Jacobs
Paul Jacobs
Paul Jacobs can refer to:*Paul Jacobs , American activist**Paul Jacobs and the Nuclear Gang, documentary film about the above*Paul Jacobs , Flemish author*Paul Jacobs , professional hockey player...
, Gary Graffman
Gary Graffman
Gary Graffman is an American classical pianist, teacher of piano and music administrator.Graffman was born in New York City to Russian-Jewish parents. Having started piano at age 3, Graffman entered the Curtis Institute of Music at age 7 in 1936 as a piano student of Isabelle Vengerova...
, Solomon Mikowsky and Jerome Lowenthal
Jerome Lowenthal
Jerome Lowenthal is an American classical pianist. He is a professor of piano at the Juilliard School in New York, where he was also chair of the piano department. Additionally, Lowenthal is on the faculty at Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California.He made his debut at 13 with the...
.
Kim is recognized as one of the leading specialists on the music of the French composer Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen was a French composer, organist and ornithologist, one of the major composers of the 20th century. His music is rhythmically complex ; harmonically and melodically it is based on modes of limited transposition, which he abstracted from his early compositions and improvisations...
. Among Kim’s most notable achievements is his seven CD recording series comprising the complete piano works of Messiaen, released on the Centaur Records
Centaur Records
Centaur Records is one of the oldest and largest independent classical labels in America. The company is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and was founded in 1976. Their recordings are available in major markets throughout the world, and their catalog includes classical, historical, pops,...
label from 2001 to 2005. Included in the series are Messiaen’s major compositions such as Catalogue d’oiseaux, Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus
Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus
Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus is a collection of pieces by the French composer Olivier Messiaen for solo piano. The French title translates into English roughly as "Twenty gazes/contemplations on the infant Jesus"...
, and the two-piano work Visions de l'Amen recorded with his son, Matthew Kim, who was 15 years old at that time.
Critics have often noted Kim’s interpretations with references to his scholarly perspectives, athletic and poetic pianism, and spiritual qualities. The pianist Yvonne Loriod
Yvonne Loriod
Yvonne Loriod was a French pianist, teacher, and composer, and the second wife of composer Olivier Messiaen. Her sister was the Ondes Martenot player Jeanne Loriod.-Life:...
, the late composer's wife and the foremost interpreter of his music, described Kim's performances as being "perfect in every way — technique, rhythm, color, sonority, emotion."
In 2007 it was reported that Kim was among the classical pianists victimized by the recording scandal of Joyce Hatto
Joyce Hatto
Joyce Hatto was a British pianist and piano teacher. She became famous late in life, when unauthorised copies of commercial recordings made by other pianists were released under her name, earning her high praise from critics. The fraud did not come to light until a few months after her...
. It was revealed that Hatto’s recording of Messiaen’s Vingt regards sur l'Enfant-Jésus was documented to be Kim’s 2002 recording released by Centaur Records.
Currently Kim is in the midst of a multi-volume recording series of Beethoven's Nine Symphonies, transcribed for piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. The first volume, the Ninth Symphony, was recorded with his son Matthew and was released in 2008.
Kim has also received attention for his performances with his musical family. With his wife Judith Jeon, a soprano, Kim has performed widely in lieder recitals. In 1995, Kim and his son Matthew (at age nine) made their debut as a father-and-son piano duo with a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
. The duo has expanded with the addition of Kim’s younger son, James. The trio of pianists, Paul Kim & Sons, has since performed throughout the world, often in benefit concerts for various social and charitable causes.
In addition to his performing career, Kim is president and co-founder of the Music Angels International Foundation. A profile of Kim's spiritual journey in music was featured in the book Creative Spirituality: The Way of the Artist written by Robert Wuthnow
Robert Wuthnow
Robert Wuthnow is the Gerhard R. Andlinger Professor of Sociology at Princeton University, where he is also the Chair of the Department of Sociology and Director of the Princeton University Center for the Study of Religion....
.
Kim currently serves as a professor of piano and music history at Long Island University C.W. Post Campus
Long Island University C.W. Post Campus
The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is a private institution of higher education located in Brookville in Nassau County, New York, United States...
.