[Interview] The Ahn Trio

[Interview] The Ahn Trio

The Ahn Trio is composed of Lucia on the piano, Angella on the violin, and Maria  on the cello, three daughters of Mr. Ahn Gwang Yong, CEO of Jinmyong Publishing Co. They were born in Seoul, Korea, and educated at the Julliard School in New     York City. They formed a trio while studying there. The Ahn Trio is known for its  performance of new classical music, genre-crossing programming, and                 collaborations with other artists.

Hailed as “exacting and exciting musicians” in the cover story about Asian-       American "Whiz Kids" of the LA Times in 1987, the Ahn Trio have earned a             reputation for embracing 21st century classical music with their unique style and   innovative collaboration. In 2011, President Obama invited them to perform at the White House for a State Dinner honoring South Korea. The trio’s latest CD,          “Lullaby for My Favorite Insomnia” is a showcase of their fearless creativity, which made No.8 on the Billboard Charts for 26 weeks in the Classical album category.

Last August. they came to visit Korea for the Daejeon Cosmopolitan Music          Festival Concert with the Festival Orchestra and the conductor Cha in Hong. I met them at the concert and then interviewed Lucia Ahn, pianist of the Ahn Trio via     email. –ED

 

 

Q1. I’m afraid that many of our readers would not know about you well enough. I   myself didn’t know about who you are and what a highly acclaimed international   reputation you have before I met your father, Mr. Ahn, and Professor Cha. Please  introduce yourselves to our readers.

A1 Hello! We are a piano trio based in New York City performing modern classical music often written for our group. We have made 9 recordings and continue to      enjoy our touring life.

Q2 You were born in Korea, and educated at the Julliard School in the US. Can you tell us how you studied music in Korea and in the US, how you formed a trio and   how you became such great musicians?

A2 In Seoul, we took music as a hobby, when we moved to the US with our mom,   we all auditioned for Juilliard Pre College division and were all accepted at age 9    and 11. Then we continued with our bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Juilliard     for College and Masters program. During our years there, we had great                  opportunities to perform and eventually we were discovered by recording              companies and got a concert booking manager. It all happened in a very natural   way but we all did work hard.

Q3. You must have an exciting and busy schedule, and probably very often take     trips very all around the world. Please tell us about one or two trips you recently    took for a concert.

A3 Right now we are performing in Wyoming and Montana this weekend. It’s          absolutely beautiful here with a big sky and gorgeous mountains. But we also loved being in Korea. We have nostalgia about Korea, although we left when we were       children, our love for the mother country is very deep.

Q4 I know you have a wonderful international reputation as a trio and as                 individuals. Please tell us about your life as musicians of worldwide fame. For        example, how do you spend your time every day with such a busy schedule, and   what other hobbies do you have outside of music?

A4 I am a mom to a 6 year old boy and other than touring and making music, my   greatest treasure is my son, and my husband (and my whole family!) and spending time with them.

Q5. How would you describe the characteristics or uniqueness of your music?      What is the philosophy of your music or musical performances? Or what is your    vision as musicians?

A5 We hope to make music which has a healing power for listeners. We feel like it’s anti-aging and it’s producing pure organic feelings of laughter, of tears, of love, of excitement. Our vision is to share all of that with audience.

Q6 What are your or your family precepts, and your philosophical view of life?

A6 Well, to love, to share, to be kind to all people, to take care of ourselves and      others but also take care of earth, and to be a person giving to community. These are what we think most important in our lives.  

Q7 As you know, there are so many students who practice hard to be a great         musician both in Korea and in the world. What would you say is the most                important and necessary thing to be a successful musician?

A7 I know well there are many students who practice hard to be a successful         musician as you mentioned, probably with an aspiration for fame and recognition as a musician in the world. This is quite natural in some sense. However, I’d like to tell them like this: To be generous and kind with your music, to understand why    you are making music, to be happy making music. These are what really matters   to people who want to be a successful musician.  

Q8 Lastly, could you leave any message for our young readers?

A8 I’m sure there are so many precious values we should remember and try to      pursue in the course of our life. I’d like to emphasize and encourage you all to       grow up to be a kind and open minded person, believe in your dream, and work    hard for it. I also pray for you all to be happy, and to spread love and peace          wherever you go.

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