Seoul International Music Competition piano judging… Interview with American pianist Kevin Kenner
Performers shouldn’t be the only ones absorbed in music… Show ‘show’ playing is not music
Let the audience hear ‘my own story’
Most contests want ‘good selling products’… We need to help with ‘inner exploration’ like the Seoul Concours
“Becoming an artist means finding your source and leaving your fingerprints throughout your life. Though, today’s international competitions tend to focus on creating ‘products that sell well.’ “There should be more competitions like the Seoul International Music Competition that help participants explore their inner selves.”
American pianist Kevin Kenner (61), who participated as a judge in the ’19th Seoul International Music Competition with LG’ held this year in the piano category, said this in an interview held in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 7th.He said, “(The Seoul International Music Competition) is special in that participants can choose songs that showcase their strengths,” and added, “Composers who are arduous to find in regular competitions, such as Schoenberg and Cheon Yi, have appeared.”
“Today, Korean pianists are showing outstanding skills on the world stage. This year, when pianist Cho Seong-jin came to the United States to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra, he stopped by my office to play and talk. This is the top of the top,
Kenner, well known as ‘Seong-Jin Cho’s mentor,’ emerged as a world-class pianist in 1990 by simultaneously winning the Chopin International Piano Competition and the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, which are considered the two major mountaineers of classical competitions. They each received second place and bronze medals without first place. He has extensive experience as a judge, serving as a judge at world-class competitions such as the Chopin Competition and the Busoni International Piano Competition. He said, “I was very excited when I received the offer to be a judge. “I knew with my intuition that the participants would be of a very high standard,” he said with a smile.
However, he told the participants that they should not fall into the ‘trap of novelty.’ Kenner said,“This is a problem commonly found among students participating in competitions. “Unconventional interpretations are cool, but not without thought and intention,” he said, adding, “If it’s just to stand out, it’s just a trick.”
“You emphasized that long-term learning is not the final stage of artistic development. Going beyond what you have learned so far, listening to stories deep in your soul, and responding through music. To do that, you need to practice thinking critically about music. “You must study the guide written by the composer in the score as well as ancient documents to create your own story and tell it persuasively to the audience.”
Known as a ‘Chopin specialist,’ he is also “still searching” for his artistic source. Accompanying him on this journey is his ‘soul partner’, violinist Kyung-Hwa Jeong. The two have been appearing on the same stage consistently since they first met in 2011.Kenner said, “On stage, Kyung-Hwa Jeong pursues musical essence while also communicating very intimately with the audience. “At some point, the stage disappears and we play as if talking to the audience,” he said. “Even the same song changes in various ways depending on the audience and location. “I respect you,” he said.
“Performers shouldn’t be the only ones absorbed in music. Everyone in the audience should be able to enjoy it. “If it’s just a ‘show’ for those who pay, it’s not music.”
The final competition of the ’19th Seoul International Music Competition with LG’ will be held at 7 PM on the 12th and 2:30 PM on the 13th at Doam Hall, Seoul Arts Center, Jongno-gu, Seoul. All seats are 30,000 won.
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What are the key qualities judges look for in music competitions like the Seoul International Music Competition?
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Kevin Kenner! It’s such a pleasure to have you here with us today, especially after your recent experience as a judge at the 19th Seoul International Music Competition. You shared some profound insights during the competition. Let’s dive right in. You mentioned something quite interesting—this idea that performers should not just aim to avoid mistakes. Can you elaborate on that?
Kevin Kenner: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. When musicians focus strictly on technical precision and avoiding mistakes, they can miss a crucial part of their growth as artists. Music is not just about flawless execution; it’s about expressing one’s inner story.I encouraged the contestants to dig deeper and find their unique sound, rather than just conforming to what they think judges want to hear. It’s really a journey of self-exploration.
Time.news Editor: That’s such a refreshing outlook! You also spoke about the tendency of contemporary competitions to focus on producing “good selling products” rather than fostering genuine artistic expression. How do you think competitions like the Seoul International Music Competition can counteract this trend?
Kevin Kenner: The Seoul International Music Competition is distinctive because it encourages participants to select pieces that highlight their strengths and individuality. unlike manny competitions that often favor more mainstream repertoire, this competition embraces lesser-known composers. For exmaple, we saw pieces from Schoenberg and contemporary korean composer Cheon Yi, which gives competitors the chance to showcase their artistic intent and true personality.
Time.news Editor: So, it is indeed about authenticity over marketability?
Kevin Kenner: Exactly. the competition framework should facilitate inner exploration rather than just creating polished performances that the market expects. It’s about helping musicians express their artistic identities—this can lead to deeper connections with their audiences.
Time.news Editor: You’ve had a remarkable career and where a world-class pianist yourself.Having mentored renowned musicians like Seong-Jin Cho, can you share what you see in the current generation of pianists from Korea?
Kevin Kenner: Korean pianists are truly establishing themselves on the global stage! When Seong-Jin Cho visited me recently after his performance with the Cleveland Orchestra, it was exceptional to witness his continued development.There is a distinct level of skill and dedication in today’s pianists that is quite remarkable. They’re not just technicians; they’re artists in every sense of the word, which is thrilling for any judge.
Time.news Editor: That’s marvelous to hear! You also cautioned participants against falling into the ‘trap of novelty’. What did you mean by that?
Kevin Kenner: It’s quite common, especially among younger musicians, to experiment with unconventional interpretations to stand out. While creativity is vital, it should not come at the cost of the music’s essence. Just doing something different for the sake of being different can lead to performances that lack depth or coherence. It’s essential that every choice be intentional and serve the music rather than distract from it.
Time.news Editor: that makes a lot of sense. As you strive to find your own artistic source, how does collaboration with other musicians, like violinist Kyung-Hwa Jeong, play into your journey?
Kevin Kenner: Collaborating with Kyung-hwa has been incredibly grounding and inspiring. As we began performing together in 2011, we both seek to discover the essence of the music we present on stage. This synergy allows us to push each other creatively and enhance our individual artistry, ultimately leading to a richer performance for our audience.
Time.news Editor: In closing, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are preparing for competitions?
Kevin Kenner: I encourage them to focus on cultivating their voice and retelling their own stories through music.Each performer has a unique perspective to offer, so it’s important to invest time in understanding the music and the narrative behind it.Ultimately, the audience connects with authenticity, so strive to share that journey instead of merely winning a prize.
Time.news Editor: Wonderful insights, Kevin! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us today. It’s clear that the heart of music lies not only in performance but in the stories we tell through it.
Kevin Kenner: Thank you for having me. It was my pleasure!