The Fantasie | Yoahn John Kwon

After his sold-out all-Chopin recital last November, pianist Yoahn John Kwon will return to the PianoForte stage. Don’t miss this special ‘Fantasie’ journey featuring great works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann. Join us for this extraordinary ‘Fantasie’ recital at PianoForte Chicago.

W. A. Mozart

‘Fantasia’ No. 3 in D minor, K.397

L. V. Beethoven

Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-flat major Op. 27 No. 1, “Quasi una fantasia”

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor Op. 27 No. 2, “Quasi una fantasia”

(AKA ‘Moonlight’ sonata)

R. Schumann

The Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17

Pianist Yoahn John Kwon, a native of South Korea, has received wide acclaim for his profound musicianship, sensitivity, and insightful performances. Renowned critic Harris Goldsmith praised him as a “versatile and interesting musician who keeps audiences’ attention from beginning to end.”

Mr. Kwon began his piano studies at the age of nine and attended the Pre-College Division of The Juilliard School. After graduating from LaGuardia High School of Music and Arts, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mannes College of Music, studying piano under Diane Walsh and theory and analysis with Carl Schachter, with generous support from the Jerry Seinfeld Family Foundation.

Additionally, Mr. Kwon completed the Stages de Perfectionnement at L’École Normale de Musique de Paris, where he studied with Anne Queffelec for four consecutive years. During his formative years, he studied with pianist Jacob Krichaf (a student of Claudio Arrau) in New York and was later mentored by Anton Kuerti, Jacques Rouvier, and John O’Conor. With his unique touch and detailed musical analysis, Mr. Kwon’s interpretations have garnered praise during his concerts, recitals, concerto appearances, and chamber music performances with members of the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, the Chicago Symphony, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra at renowned concert halls worldwide.

As a prolific recording artist, Mr. Kwon has released numerous CDs for Audioguy, WFMT Chicago, and the SONY Classical label. His Chopin and Beethoven’s complete works for piano and violin won critical acclaim. In addition to his concert career, Mr. Kwon is also in high demand as a teacher, with prospective students from South Korea seeking his guidance. His most recent private students have gained acceptance to some of the top conservatories and universities globally, including the Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music, Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, Indiana University in Bloomington, Oberlin College, Cleveland Institute of Music, EastmanSchool of Music at the University of Rochester, Northwestern University, USC’s Thornton School of Music, L’École Normale de Musique de Paris, HMDK Stuttgart, and Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin.

Mr. Kwon is also a concert piano technician, action rebuilder, church organist, harpsichordist, program coordinator and music director currently residing in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.