On Friday, September 25, High Desert Chamber Music (HDCM) kicks off its 19th season by welcoming the Yu&I Duo, making their first appearance in the HDCM Concert Series. I had a chance to talk to violinist YuEun Gemma Kim about her interest in music, the development of the Duo, and much more.
YuEun grew up in South Korea and music was always part of her life. “I grew up singing with my father. He was a wonderful singer, and even though there wasn’t much access to Western classical music in Korea during his time, he always dreamed of becoming an opera singer,” she told me. That really helped cultivate her love of music, even learning and singing old Korean pop songs together with her father. At the age of five, she began playing piano and later on she remembers seeing the violin on TV and was fascinated by it. “I remember asking my parents if I could learn that instrument,” YuEun said. “I think there was something about the sound and the way someone could express emotions through a single instrument that really attracted me.”
Around age 11, YuEun became very certain that she wanted to be a violinist. She told me, “My parents made a deal with me: if I could get into the prestigious arts middle school that was existing in Korea, they would let me keep pursuing music.” Well (spoiler alert), she did get in, and the rest is history.
Even though being part of a large orchestra is thrilling and playing large symphonic works (like Mahler) is amazing, YuEun feels that she naturally gravitates toward smaller chamber music settings, where each individual voice can shine and each musician’s personality can be heard. Yu&I Duo has a very special story. YuEun met Ines (the guitarist in the Duo) when they were both studying at USC’s Thornton School of Music. “She had just arrived from Frankfurt, Germany, and I had come from Seoul, Korea. We were randomly placed as housemates in a Victorian house in Los Angeles, and that’s where our friendship and musical partnership began.” The two quickly discovered that they had many similar loves — chamber music, curiosity about exploring different repertoire, and Korean food! Over time that friendship naturally grew into a collaboration.
When asked about some of her favorite music, YuEun told me she’s always loved piano music, especially the music of Chopin. “Ironically, he never wrote a piece for violin, which I think is unfortunate! However, there are some beautiful transcriptions created by great violinists, and I really enjoy exploring those works.” When asked whether there’s a piece of music that is particularly meaningful to her, YuEun mentioned that Dvořák’s Violin Concerto has become a very special piece to her. “The first concert I played after finding out I was pregnant was this concerto. Then, exactly one year later, I performed the same piece again — this time with my son Elian in the audience with my husband.” These two important and special moments in her life that both coincided with this piece, led to it having a huge significance in her life.
Please join us on September 25 at 7:30pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Bend for an exciting and varied program featuring works by Chopin, Piazzolla, Bartok, and more! There will be a pre-concert talk with YuEun and Ines at 6:45pm. This concert is brought to you by QXO (formerly Miller Lumber). Tickets are available through High Desert Chamber Music by phone or online. Come hear the music!