Biography (read more)

HJ Lim (born Hyun-Jung Lim) is a South Korean pianist who began piano studies at age three and left her native South Korea at twelve to continue her training in France. She went on to study in Paris and built an early reputation for a fearless, individualistic approach to the core piano repertoire, particularly Beethoven.

Lim created a sensation in 2010 by performing Beethoven’s complete piano sonatas over eight consecutive days, and the following year recorded the full cycle for EMI Classics, becoming the youngest pianist ever to record the complete sonatas and the first classical pianist to debut at number one on the Billboard classical chart. Her bold, personally annotated interpretations and prolific YouTube presence have made her one of the more distinctive and widely discussed pianists of her generation, and she has also been recognized for social and humanitarian work, including the Neuchâtel intercultural prize.

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Repertoire

Piano Sonata No. 14, “Moonlight” (Quasi una fantasia): I. Adagio sostenuto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 1, Modéré, très franc— Maurice Ravel
Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 2, Assez lent, avec une expression intense— Maurice Ravel
Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 3, Modéré— Maurice Ravel
Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 4, Assez animé— Maurice Ravel
Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 5, Presque lent, dans un sentiment intime— Maurice Ravel
Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 6, Vif— Maurice Ravel
Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 7, Moins vif— Maurice Ravel
Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61: No. 8, Épilogue. Lent— Maurice Ravel
Piano Sonata No. 4 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 30: I. Andante— Alexander Scriabin
Piano Sonata No. 4 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 30: II. Prestissimo volando— Alexander Scriabin
Piano Sonata No. 5 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 53— Alexander Scriabin
Sonatine, M. 40: I. Modéré— Maurice Ravel
Sonatine, M. 40: II. Mouvement de menuet— Maurice Ravel
Sonatine, M. 40: III. Animé— Maurice Ravel
Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 38— Alexander Scriabin
2 Poems, Op. 32: No. 1 in F-Sharp Major— Alexander Scriabin
2 Poems, Op. 32: No. 2 in D Major— Alexander Scriabin
La Valse, M. 72 (Version for 2 Pianos)— Maurice Ravel
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106 “Hammerklavier”: I. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106 “Hammerklavier”: II. Scherzo. Assai vivace— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106 “Hammerklavier”: III. Adagio sostenuto….— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, Op. 106 “Hammerklavier”: IV. Introduzione. Largo – Fuga….— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Op. 22: I. Allegro con brio— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Op. 22: II. Adagio con molto espressione— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Op. 22: III. Menuetto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 11 in B-Flat Major, Op. 22: IV. Rondo. Allegretto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-Flat Major, Op. 81a “Les Adieux”: I. Das Lebewohl. Adagio – Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-Flat Major, Op. 81a “Les Adieux”: II. Abwesenheit. Andante espressivo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-Flat Major, Op. 81a “Les Adieux”: III. Das Wiedersehen. Vivacissimamente— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 7: I. Allegro molto e con brio— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 7: II. Largo, con gran espressione— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 7: III. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 4 in E-Flat Major, Op. 7: IV. Rondo. Poco allegretto e grazioso— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major, Op. 14 No. 1: I. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major, Op. 14 No. 1: II. Allegretto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 9 in E Major, Op. 14 No. 1: III. Rondo. Allegro comodo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14 No. 2: I. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14 No. 2: II. Andante— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14 No. 2: III. Scherzo. Allegro assai— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-Flat Major, Op. 27 No. 1: I. Andante— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-Flat Major, Op. 27 No. 1: II. Allegro molto e vivace— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-Flat Major, Op. 27 No. 1: III. Adagio con espressione— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-Flat Major, Op. 27 No. 1: IV. Allegro vivace— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight”: II. Allegretto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight”: III. Presto agitato— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: I. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: II. Adagio— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: III. Menuetto. Allegretto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1: IV. Prestissimo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2 No. 2: I. Allegro vivace— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2 No. 2: II. Largo appassionato— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2 No. 2: III. Scherzo. Allegretto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2 No. 2: IV. Rondo. Grazioso— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3: I. Allegro con brio— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3: II. Adagio— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3: III. Scherzo. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 No. 3: IV. Allegro assai— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28 “Pastoral”: I. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28 “Pastoral”: II. Andante— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28 “Pastoral”: III. Scherzo. Allegro vivace— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28 “Pastoral”: IV. Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”: I. Allegro con brio— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”: II. Introduzione. Adagio molto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”: III. Rondo. Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 22 in F Major, Op. 54: I. In tempo d’un menuetto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 22 in F Major, Op. 54: II. Allegretto – Più allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79: I. Presto alla tedesca— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79: II. Andante— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79: III. Vivace— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1: I. Allegro molto e con brio— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1: II. Adagio molto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1: III. Finale. Prestissimo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10 No. 2: I. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10 No. 2: II. Allegretto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10 No. 2: III. Presto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10 No. 3: I. Presto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10 No. 3: II. Largo e mesto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10 No. 3: III. Menuetto. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10 No. 3: IV. Rondo. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31 No. 1: I. Allegro vivace— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31 No. 1: II. Adagio grazioso— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31 No. 1: III. Rondo. Allegretto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31 No. 2 “The Tempest”: I. Largo – Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31 No. 2 “The Tempest”: II. Adagio— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31 No. 2 “The Tempest”: III. Allegretto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31 No. 3: I. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31 No. 3: II. Scherzo. Allegretto vivace— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31 No. 3: III. Menuetto. Moderato e grazioso— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 18 in E-Flat Major, Op. 31 No. 3: IV. Presto con fuoco— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101: I. Etwas lebhaft und mit der innigsten Empfindung….— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101: II. Lebhaft. Marschmäßig. Vivace alla Marcia— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101: III. Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll. Adagio ma non troppo…— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101: IV. Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr, und mit…— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 24 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 78: I. Adagio cantabile – Allegro ma non troppo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 24 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 78: II. Allegro vivace— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90: I. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und…— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90: II. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorzutragen— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: I. Vivace ma non troppo – Adagio espressivo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: II. Prestissimo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: III. Gesangvoll, mit innigster Empfindung. Andante…— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-Flat Major, Op. 110: I. Moderato cantabile molto espressivo— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-Flat Major, Op. 110: II. Allegro molto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 31 in A-Flat Major, Op. 110: III. Adagio ma non troppo – Fuga. Allegro ma non…— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique”: I. Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique”: II. Adagio cantabile— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13 “Pathétique”: III. Rondo. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26: I. Andante con variazioni— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26: II. Scherzo. Allegro molto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26: III. Marcia funebre sulla morte d’un eroe….— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 12 in A-Flat Major, Op. 26: IV. Allegro— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata”: I. Allegro assai— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata”: II. Andante con moto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata”: III. Allegro ma non troppo – Presto— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111: I. Maestoso – Allegro con brio ed appassionato— Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111: II. Arietta. Adagio molto semplice e cantabile— Ludwig van Beethoven