March 5, 2026, 11:00 AM, Suseong Artpia Small Theater, Interview after Cello Yang Sung-won's performance
The tone of the cello resonating on stage captures the passage of a human being's time. Within that deep resonance lie layers upon layers of time, memory, and human emotion. Cellist Yang Sung-won's performance is precisely such music. Beyond mere interpretation or technique, his playing embodies contemplation on life and existence—sometimes like deep solitude, sometimes like a warm breath embracing life.
The theme of the program he presented on this day is 'Romanticism'. It sheds light on the 'romantic spirit' that permeates the era through the flow of 'the archetype of romanticism (Bach) - the expansion of romanticism (Casado) - the maximization of romantic expression (Kodály)' .
JS Bach | Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
G. Cassadó | Suite for Solo Cello
Z. Kodály | Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8
However, the romanticism he speaks of is not a concept referring to the musical style of a specific era. Rather, it is closer to the most fundamental emotion of human existence.
“We often associate Romanticism with composers like Schumann or Brahms. However, to me, Bach’s music also has a romantic aspect, and I believe that romanticism is the soul of Baroque music. After all, doesn't Romanticism stem from our hope? I believe that hope has always been with humanity.”
For him, romance is ultimately an emotion stemming from hope. He viewed this hope not as something existing only in a specific era or nation, but as an emotion shared by all of humanity. Thus, his programs weave music from different cultural spheres into a single narrative. The passionate colors of Spain, the rugged roots of Eastern European Transylvanian music, and music from various eras meet on a single stage. This is because, even amidst different cultures, human emotions ultimately converge in the same direction.
○ A musician's time, the moment life becomes music
Yang Seong-won tells the story of a musician's growth process by deeply connecting it to human life.
Musicians in their 20s must excel above all else. This is because it is a time to demonstrate technical perfection.
However, he says that for a musician, the real change begins after that.
"When you enter your 30s or early 40s, you begin to find your own voice. And by the late 40s, the life you have lived naturally reveals itself in your music."
He uses the expression 'cells of life' when describing musical expression .
"People accumulate countless emotions and experiences as they go through life. I consider these to be the cells of life. What matters is how boldly one can capture those cells in music."
For him, music is said to be a path to finding his identity, imbued with will. Ultimately, viewed as life becoming one and maturing, with moments gathering to form his own storytelling, his performance becomes a narrative as time accumulates.
“I think this is the time when I can enjoy my life as a musician the most.”
The words of the artist, who has stood on the stage for a long time, contained both composure and conviction.
○ Classical music, carrying on the voice of humanity
A strong sense of responsibility is rooted in Yang Sung-won's musical world.
For him, classical music is not merely a collection of works, but a record of the voices left by humanity.
Classical music contains human voices spanning centuries.
Performers are the ones who bring that voice back into the present.
We have a responsibility to let that voice be heard and to pass it on so that the next generation can continue to carry it on.
This way of thinking is also an important lesson he learned from his mentor: a perspective that views a musician's career not as a matter of personal success, but as a process of carrying on humanity's legacy. For this reason, he continues to challenge himself with new works and interpretations. This is because, for an artist, curiosity is not merely a motivation for creation, but also a cultural responsibility.
Art transcends the limits of the body.
The performer eventually faces their physical limits. Yang Sung-won also calmly accepts this fact.
Since playing the cello ultimately involves using the body, there is bound to be a limit eventually.
However, he believes that art does not disappear along with the limitations of physical ability. At this point, he thinks of a painter: the French Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
Even after his eyesight deteriorated significantly, Monet left a new beauty in his works through honest expression.
To him, Monet's art conveys an important message. It demonstrates that art can create new expressions even within any limitations.
The artist's gaze is directed 10 years into the future.
What Yang Seong-won considers most important in life and art is his perspective on time.
I always think that next month is more important than this week, and next year is more important than next month. What is more important than next year is 10 years from now.
He expresses regret over making regrettable choices in an era focused on immediate results and achievements. Therefore, he views his activities from the perspective of future generations.
“I believe that if someone can climb to a higher place by stepping on every single brick I am laying right now, it is a meaningful endeavor.”
For him, education, performance, and various musical activities are ultimately about building a foundation for the next generation.
○ What a musician needs: Balance
The life of a musician demands deep concentration because they must spend long hours alone for practice and study.
A performer needs a certain amount of 'selfish time,' time to be completely alone.
However, that time is also ultimately preparation for returning it to society.
“Through that time, you must be able to find better music, deliver deeper performances to the audience, and help your juniors.”
He recharges by looking at visually appealing pictures when one of his five senses is exhausted, for example, when his hearing is tired, and he also engages in extensive reading to maintain this balance. He reads books in various fields, ranging from history and novels to religion and philosophy, and even future technology.
Nothing shows the world as widely as a book.
It is also his habit to read books in Korean, English, and French alternately. It is an effort to maintain balance in his thinking through diverse languages and perspectives.
Music is ultimately a human story .
Towards the end of the interview, he spoke about the essence of music again.
Classical music is an art that contains the voice of humanity.
Therefore, music is not merely a work of the past, but a record that carries on the time, emotions, and hopes of human life. In particular, the cello is called the instrument most similar to the human voice and creates deep emotional resonance.
Cellist Yang Sung-won's music asks us a question as a language to understand life.
"What kind of life are we living, and with what voice will that life be passed down to the next generation?"
[Choi Young-min, Korea Arts Newspaper]
