BOMSORI

For Korean violinist Bomsori, the past year has been one of her busiest yet, with numerous live and streamed performances and her first solo recording for Deutsche Grammophon. As she takes her next steps on the road to international renown, she shares her guiding principles with Andrew Mellor

Bomsori Kim was given her distinctive name by her grandfather. Unusual in her native Korea, Bomsori translates literally as ‘sound of spring’. ‘I was actually born in winter, not spring,’ the violinist explains, ‘but as winter is cold and difficult, he wanted me to bring some nice spring news into the world.’ As I talk to Kim after the longest of winters, on a sunny 1 April, it’s easy to relate to her grandfather’s thinking.

She arrived at the Juilliard School as a postgraduate in 2014 following studies at Seoul National University. Since then her rise has been quick, and with a multi-album deal from prestigious label Deutsche Grammophon signed early in 2021, it is unlikely to be temporary. A busy summer includes a residency at the Rheingau Music Festival near Frankfurt that will encompass all five Mozart concertos with Camerata Salzburg, the Tchaikovsky Concerto with Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ... Read more ...

Berlin, May 2021

A superstar in her homeland and in high demand worldwide as a soloist, South Korean violinist Bomsori now presents her solo debut album on Deutsche Grammophon. Set for international release on 18 June 2021, Violin on Stage includes works written for or inspired by opera or ballet. Recorded at the state-of-the-art National Forum of Music in Wrocław last December with the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic and its Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, the album also captures the close bond Bomsori feels with Poland, its music and its musicians.

The violinist’s chosen repertoire reflects her desire to communicate with her audiences through her instrument’s expressive voice. “I’m not a loud person – I usually don’t talk much in everyday life,” she says. “But that’s why I love playing the violin, because I can speak and communicate through music. I’ve loved singing and ballet since I was a small child and am always moved by hearing voices and watching dancers. I wanted to bring that special spirit of poetry and drama to listeners through my instrument, which can sing freely in these wonderful pieces.  Read more...

                                Berlin, February 2021

Deutsche Grammophon announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with Bomsori Kim.  

“I feel truly honoured to join Deutsche Grammophon and follow in the footsteps of so many legendary artists,” says Bomsori Kim. “The Yellow Label stands for excellence and the best of tradition. It is also committed to reaching new audiences and connecting as many people as possible via the powerful emotions of great music. I share that commitment and want to communicate to the world through music. I hope my new album for DG will touch and inspire listeners of all ages.”

“It’s my great pleasure to welcome Bomsori to the Yellow Label,” comments Dr Clemens Trautmann, President Deutsche Grammophon. “Her extraordinary virtuosity is matched by an ability to make the violin sing. We love the way she’s prepared to take risks in the moment of performance and the heartfelt poetry of her playing. Bomsori’s DG debut solo album is a tremendous showcase for her artistry and we look forward to creating many more recordings with her in future.”

“There’s something deeply personal about Bomsori’s playing,” notes Angelika Meissner, DG’s Director Classical, Artists & Repertoire. “Her interpretations hold audiences spellbound with their epic power and poetic beauty. Violin on Stage shows why she’s regarded by fellow musicians and leading critics as one of today’s star performers.” Read more ...

As a focus artist, Bomsori Kim will be on stage with eight concerts at the Rheingau Music Festival 2021, presenting her entire artistic skills together with various musical partners. She will kick things off as part of our focus "Spot on: Mozart," in which she will bring all five of the classical composer's violin concertos to the cloisters of Eberbach Abbey with Camerata Salzburg (July 10, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. & July 11, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.). Bomsori Kim shows that she is also comfortable outside of classical music in a piano trio with cellist Maximilian Hornung (July 25), among others. The program here includes piano trios by Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Dvořák, as well as other chamber music. Together with the Tenebrae Choir, this year's focus ensemble, Bomsori Kim delves deep into the Baroque era. On this evening, Bach's Partita No. 2 in D minor for solo violin BWV 1004 merges with selected chorales by the composer, opening up a very special perspective on this monument of violin literature (Aug. 14, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.). With Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major op. 35, which she brings to the stage of the Kurhaus Wiesbaden together with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Vasily Petrenko (Sept. 2, 5 p.m.and 8 p.m.), Bomsori Kim concludes her summer full of music in the Rheingau 2021.

You can find all concerts of Bomsori Kim at Rheingau Musik Festival 2021 here.