Pianist Kim Saehyun (Kumho Cultural Foundation)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong 

Pianist Kim Saehyun, 18, has won the Long-Thibaud-Crespin Competition in Paris.

The Kumho Cultural Foundation on March 30 said Kim placed first in the final round to become the first Korean to win the contest, France's most prestigious of its kind, since Lee Hyuk in 2022.

Performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 with France's Orchestra of the Republican Guard under conductor Bastien Stil in the round, Kim swept three other honors in addition to first place: the Audience Prize, Press Jury Prize, and Paris Prize. The latter award is decided by a vote of over 20,000 students across 18 music conservatories in Paris.

No runner-up was picked, but Kim's compatriot Lee Hyo placed third. In 2018, Lee won the piano category and grand prize in the violin at the international competition Musical Diamond in Moscow.

Launched in 1943 by world-famous pianist Marguerite Long (1874-1966) and violinist Jacques Thibaud (1880-1953), the French competition is held every one to three years featuring the piano, violin and voice for competitors ages 16-33.

Previous winners from Korea include pianists Lim Dong Hyek (2001) and Lee Hyuk (2022). Zia Hyunsu Shin in 2008 won the violin division and bass Sim Kihwan the vocal category in 2011.

dusrud21@korea.kr