'A recital I’ve been dying to try': Han Jae-min is Lotte's new 'In House Artist'

Music & Performance

Published: 22 Jan. 2024, 15:22 Updated: 22 Jan. 2024, 15:25

'A recital I’ve been dying to try': Han Jae-min is Lotte's new 'In House Artist'

Cellist Han Jae-min speaks during a press conference at Lotte Concert Hall in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Friday. Han was selected as Lotte Concert Hall’s “In House Artist” this year. [LOTTE CONCERT HALL]

At only 17 years old, Korean cellist Han Jae-min is the new face of Lotte Concert Hall.

Han was selected as Lotte Concert Hall’s “In House Artist” for this year, as part of the classical music concert venue’s artist residency program that began in 2021. Talented artists are chosen annually to be given the opportunity to experiment with specially-made programs to expand their musical spectrum.

Concert halls select their resident artists for 2024

Han is the youngest artist to be selected as Lotte’s In House Artist.

Han will have two performances this year: a solo cello recital on March 27, and a trio recital alongside violinist Kristóf Baráti and pianist Park Jae-hong on Oct. 30.

For the upcoming solo performance, the sound of Han’s cello alone will fill the vast Lotte Concert Hall in Songpa District, southern Seoul, which is a fairly uncommon format.

“It’s a recital I’ve been dying to try this year,” Han said during a press conference at the venue on Friday. “Usually a cello recital is thought to be accompanied by a pianist, but the cello is charming enough to go solo. Although there is a bit of pressure in that only one instrument is required to carry on for at least 80 minutes, it makes my heart flutter at the same time.”

Cellist Han Jae-min [LOTTE CONCERT HALL]

As a budding prodigy who has been playing the cello since he was five, Han is also the youngest person to enter the Korea National University of Arts — at the age of 14. He was only 15 — again the youngest — when he was awarded the Grand Prix of the renowned George Enescu International Competition.

In 2022, Han won first place in the International Isangyun Competition for cello, which he reflected on as an experience that helped him “come out of [his] shell.”

“I’m still young and have lots to learn, but I feel like after that competition, I was able to think about what my identity as an artist is and will be. I’m still not sure when I’ll find the answer, but I think it’s all been part of the process. I’ve been trying to look at the fundamental aspects of my music.”

The journey of Han finding his identity involves mapping out the programs for this year himself as well as deciding how he’s going to perform. There’s a lot to consider, but one thing has already been decided: his red socks.

After first wearing them during the Enescu competition, in an attempt to adhere to the red dress code, and then winning first place, they’ve become a lucky charm as much as his signature look.

In the March solo recital, Han will perform pieces by John Williams, Gaspar Cassado, Gyorgy Sandor Ligeti and finish off with “Sonata for Cello Solo in b minor” by Zoltan Kodaly.

“I think the main dish for that performance will be Kodaly,” Han said. “It’s one of my favorite cello songs. Kodaly himself said after composing it at the time, that every cellist in the world will be playing it — and it became true. I’ve always felt like this song suits me well, and despite it being a very difficult song to play, it’s one of my top three songs that leaves me feeling euphoric at the end.”

Cellist Han Jae-min plays the cello during a press conference at Lotte Concert Hall in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Friday. Han was selected as Lotte Concert Hall’s “In House Artist” this year. [LOTTE CONCERT HALL]

For the trio recital, the audience will be able to hear Sergei Rachmaninov’s “Piano Trio élégiaque No. 1 g minor, Op. 9,” Antonin Dvorak’s “Piano Trio No. 4 e minor, Op. 90 ‘Dumky Trio’” and Peter Il'yich Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Trio a minor, Op. 50, ‘A la mémoire d'un grand artiste.’”

Han admits that Tchaikovsky’s number ends on a “gloomy” note, but says it’s all worth it because it’s impressive in its own way.

“Having a grandiose finale may elicit feelings of joy, but I don’t think that having a quiet one necessarily is depressing,” he said. “I think it helps touch the listener’s heart more.”

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]