Recorder31 Day 19 | An Interview with SRP/Moeck Winner Jiyeon Bang

During last year's Recorder31, we featured the three finalists of the 2023 SRP/Moeck Solo Recorder Competition, the final of which was held at the London International Festival of Early Music last November. After a very high-standard contest, the prize was eventually won by Jiyeon Bang, who returns to LIFEM this year for her winners' recital. We took the chance to catch up with Jiyeon to see how the past year has been for her...

The Early Music Shop: Could you tell us about your experience traveling to London for the SRP/Moeck Solo Recorder Competition last year? 

Jiyeon Bang: It was my first visit to the UK, and it was quite moving to see famous landmarks, like the Tower Bridge, that I had only seen in movies. I enjoyed the various programmes, exhibitions, and concerts immensely. The day after the competition, my phone was stolen by a pickpocket, which made my return to Germany challenging, but everything was resolved in the end. It was a really fantastic experience for me and I was absolutely happy to meet other musicians and various recorder makers :)

The Early Music Shop: What projects have you been working on since the competition?

Jiyeon: After the SRP/Moeck competition, I was busy with my first semester of my Master’s Study in Germany. Happily, in May 2024, I was invited to perform a 30-minute solo recital at the Late Night Concert of the recorder festival in Bad Kissingen, Germany.

The Early Music Shop: We’re excited to see you return to London this November for your Winner’s Recital at the London International Festival of Early Music. Can you tell us anything about the programme you will be performing?

Jiyeon: The title of the November programme is "Beyond Time," which signifies that pieces composed hundreds of years ago are performed today, transcending time.

I will be playing various pieces, including some I performed during the final round of the 2023 SRP/Moeck Competition. The programme includes the well-known Vivaldi Recorder Concerto in C minor RV441, Schmelzer's Sonata Seconda for violin, showcasing the grandeur of the Baroque era, as well as Renaissance pieces by Jacob van Eyck. Additionally, I will perform contemporary works by Asian composers like Dai Fujikura, offering contrasting sounds and techniques. The programme will be engaging, featuring a variety of instruments. I'm preparing a variety of programmes that can be performed with the recorder.

The Early Music Shop: Where in the world would you most like to perform on recorder?

Jiyeon: I would love to perform anywhere in the world where there are people who loves recorder or want to listen to my music.

The Early Music Shop: How do you choose a recorder when you are looking for a new instrument?

Jiyeon: It depends on its purpose, but I used to prefer instruments that required a enough breath. Now, I prefer instruments that allow for a variety of tone colours.

The Early Music Shop: The next SRP/Moeck Solo Recorder Competition will take place in 2025. What words of encouragement would you offer any readers who are thinking of entering next year?

Jiyeon: The SRP/Moeck Solo Recorder Competition offers a unique and prestigious platform for recorder players, and I hope each participant seizes this opportunity, prepares with dedication, and performs with joy and without regret.

Find out more about the SRP/Moeck Solo Recorder Competition by clicking here.

------------

Win Tickets to see Jiyeon Bang LIVE in London!

------------

The Sound of Recorder Music!

Yesterday we heard the Mollenhauer Canta bass recorder, and today it's the turn of the Canta soprano in pearwood. An affordable wooden soprano with a sweet and expressive sound, this is a great option for players venturing into wooden instruments for the first time. Listen to the clips below or follow this link to find out more about this instrument.

Sammartini Allegro:

Van Eyck Nightingale:

Scale: