Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in music and who or what have been the most important influences on your musical life and career?
When I first started playing musical instruments, it was with my family. My father was a double bassist with the Seoul Philharmonic, my mother a piano accompanist for the Korean National Choir, and my older brother is also a double bassist. I played music with my family 24 hours a day, and we always listened to and shared each other’s music. So I have never thought of doing anything other than playing music! The countless people I met in my life and the times we spent together, both the happy times and the difficult times, all had a great influence on my music.
What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?
All of the competitions and performances I have done so far have been challenges for me!
Which performances/recordings are you most proud of?
It’s hard to choose just one!
Which particular works/composers do you think you perform best?
I like romantic music the best, where I feel like I can pour out a lot of my emotions. I especially like the composer Bottesini.
What do you do off stage that provides inspiration on stage?
When I’m not performing, the pieces I’m about to perform or the pieces I think are important right now are in my head almost 24 hours a day, as if I were afflicted by some disease, and I visualize playing them in my head, changing the fingerings and checking my bowings. This is the reason why I can memorize all the pieces I play and not look at the sheet music when playing. Except for the time I practice, I try to focus on other things as much as possible and focus on making the time happier.
How do you make your repertoire choices from season to season?
I choose different repertoire depending on the season and the theme of the performance. In particular, I think I try to do brighter, shorter pieces in the summer, and I think I focus on heavier and warmer repertoire in the winter.
Do you have a favourite concert venue to perform in and why?
I like the IBK Chamber Hall at Seoul Arts Center in Korea. It’s a stage with great sound for playing with the bass!
What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music’s audiences?
I think we need to plan it well so that it can be accessed more easily and the general public can listen and watch it more interestingly.
So, some of the efforts I have been making in Korea are to briefly explain the piece or explain the instrument while playing, and also make videos and show the video along with the performance. People definitely seem to like it because it is more fun and easier to access.
What is your most memorable concert experience?
I remember all the performances, but in particular, there was a time when I was asked a question during a bass ensemble performance. The kids asked a lot of questions and I told them to come on stage if they wanted to come up and touch the instrument. In fact, all the kids there were on stage. They came up and touched the instrument, the bow, and my dress! I can’t forget that time, the innocent look in those children’s eyes!
As a musician, what is your definition of success?
The fact that people can heal their hearts by listening to my music is not just about being good at music, it also makes everyone happy in life.
What advice would you give to young/aspiring musicians?
Don’t focus too much on music and get lost in it. Of course, getting into it is important, but look around. There are many things that are more precious. If you love the people in your life and go through difficult things together, your music will become more mature and you will become a nicer, better person.
What’s the one thing in the music industry we’re not talking about which you think we should be?
In the case of Korea, there are too many musicians, but in fact, there are very few performances and very few orchestras. How about increasing jobs or providing them with appropriate treatment so that musicians can be more financially comfortable?
What’s next? Where would you like to be in 10 years?
I’ve never thought about it. I just think it’s important to live well each day.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Well, isn’t happiness just being able to spend time with people I love and people who love me, and being able to laugh together and share sorrows together? I think these times are the most precious and happiest days.
What is your most treasured possession?
Among the items? None, only my son!
What is your present state of mind?
It’s only been three months since I immigrated to the US, so I’m getting used to it now! I’m so excited and looking forward to it because it’s a new start, but I also feel a little lonely because I don’t have any friends yet, but I think this is all just a process.
Mikyung Sung’s The Colburn Sessions is available now on CD and via streaming. More information
Image credit: © Woo Youn
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