Biography
“Julian’s flexible and intelligent interpretations reflect his command over rhythmic tension and tonal detail, evoking echoes of masterful pianists like Nelson Freire.” -Gramophone
"Julian Jaeyoung Kim masterfully interprets Brahms with lyrical expression and virtuosic flair in his debut, promising a bright future in classical music." -Interlude Magazine
"Julian Kim’s technical brilliance shines in every piece as he draws out the full richness of the piano’s sound. With style, precision, and sensitivity, he navigates dramatic, heroic, entertaining, and humorous moods easily and elegantly." -Klassik Heute
Julian Jaeyoung Kim, a South Korean-born pianist, is hailed as a marvelous virtuoso. His performances embody a deep sense of commitment and a relentless curiosity about uncovering the true essence of music. These qualities have earned him critical acclaim and recognition in prestigious international piano competitions and concert venues worldwide.
Julian's dedication and talent have garnered him numerous accolades and prizes in international piano competitions. Notably, he has achieved first prizes in esteemed competitions such as the Orbetello International Piano Competition and the "Citta di Barletta" International Piano Competition in Italy. His exceptional performances have also earned him second prizes in the Juliusz Zarębski International Piano Competition in Poland, Paul Badura-Skoda International Piano Competition in Vienna, the "Citta di San Donà di Piave" International Piano Competition, the Ischia International Piano Competition, and the "Citta di Sarzana" International Piano Competition in Italy. Furthermore, Julian has advanced as a finalist or semi-finalist in prestigious competitions, including the Pietro Argento International Piano Competition, Verona International Piano Competition, Neapolitan International Piano Competition, George Gershwin International Piano Competition, Seattle International Piano Competition, Ricard Vines International Piano Competition, and Campillos International Piano Competition.
Julian Jaeyoung Kim, as a Bechstein Artist, has captivated audiences worldwide with performances that combine technical brilliance, emotional depth, and artistic sensitivity. As part of the prestigious Bechstein Concert Series, Julian has performed in numerous cities, including Frankfurt, Nürnberg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Berlin, Paris, and Manchester, showcasing their exceptional talent on the finest instruments.
Julian's artistry has captivated audiences across some of the world’s most esteemed concert halls. In Europe, he has performed at iconic venues such as Ehrbar Saal by C. Bechstein in Vienna, Palais Lichtenau in Potsdam, and Teatro Jofre in Ferrol, Spain. In Italy, his appearances include the Bellini Theatre in Catania, G. Rossini Theatre in Pesaro, Villa Sandra Hall in Milan, E.F. Dall’Abaco, and Nuovo Montemezzi Auditorium in Verona.
His musical presence has also been warmly received in Norway, with notable performances at the Kabuso Art Center and the historic Troldhaugen Concert Hall in Bergen. In the Netherlands, he has appeared at the Lutherse Kerk in Haarlem, Remonstrants Kerk in Alkmaar, Slot Hall in Schagen, and Ruïnekerk in Bergen. In Finland, he performed at the Mäntän Klubi Hall in Mänttä.
In North America, Julian has appeared at prestigious venues including Klavierhaus, Steinway Hall, Loewe Theatre, and Opera America Hall in New York City, as well as the Gateway Theatre in Vancouver, Canada.
As a recording artist, in 2023, the label KNS Classical released his debut album, ‘Brahms Resonances.’ This work features an exquisite selection from Johannes Brahms' oeuvre, including the Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5, and the intricately structured Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 35 Books I and II. The album garnered widespread acclaim, receiving laudatory reviews from numerous prominent publications in the classical music sphere, including Gramophone, InterludeHK, Klassik Huete, and Fanfare.
In 2024, Julian signed with Hänssler Classic, one of the leading classical music labels. His upcoming album, featuring a selection of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, will be released under this prestigious imprint, with generous support from C. Bechstein and Bärenreiter. The recording has already received praise from respected publications such as Pizzicato, American Record Guide, InterludeHK, and Clic Musique. In addition, Julian was featured as the highlighted artist on Concerto, a program by SRF (Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen), Switzerland’s national classical music broadcaster. The broadcast centered around his second album of Beethoven sonatas.
In 2025, he signed a contract with the Dutch label Challenge Records for a complete recording project of Brahms's piano works. The project will span six albums, to be released annually starting in 2026. As an official ambassador for Bärenreiter, he will carry out the project in collaboration with the publisher, and concert tours in Europe and the United States are also planned.
He completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music in 2024. His principal teachers included Matti Raekallio, Jeffrey Swann, Bernadene Blaha, Angela Cheng, and Eteri Andjaparidze.
Julian is a C. Bechstein Artist and Bärenreiter ambassador.
