Park Seong-hyun Makes History: First Korean to Win the Tariverdiev International Organ Competition

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(The CEN News / Reporter Seung-ryeol Lee)

Seong-hyun Park, the first South Korean to win the Mikhail Tariverdiev International Organ Competition in Russia, said he focused on the music itself rather than the outcome.

In a written interview with this outlet on the 18th, Park said, “Luck played a part, but I value the result because I earned it competing against outstanding performers.”

He described his preparation as centered on conveying each work’s musical essence persuasively, rather than being confined by the pressures of competition.

Park emphasizes a “singing” approach to the organ. “The organ is, in many ways, like an orchestra,” he said. “I create tone color and flow by combining stops, and I shape phrasing by actually voicing the melodies.”

He also outlined how he approaches different instruments at each venue. “No two organs are the same in build or acoustics,” he said. “I focus on quickly assessing an instrument’s character and adapting, rather than trying to tame it.”

On the 23rd, Park will perform on a large organ at Lotte Concert Hall featuring about 5,000 pipes. “I imagine the hall’s resonance and the instrument’s traits ahead of time,” he said. “Even with an instrument I’ve never met, I try to make the music feel natural.”

He is also thinking about accessibility. “I arrange familiar classics for the organ to showcase its colors more intuitively,” Park said. “I balance those arrangements with core repertoire to make performances more approachable for audiences.”

Looking ahead, he plans to perform in Japan and then tour Russia. “I intend to present Russian and Korean works in balance,” he said. “I want my performances to linger with listeners after the concert ends.”

Park graduated from Yonsei University’s Department of Church Music and completed the Konzertexamen (artist diploma) at the University of Music Cologne in Germany. He continues to build an international career, having placed in several competitions and winning first prize at the Tariverdiev Competition.

(The CEN News) Reporter Seung-ryeol Lee ottnews@kakao.com