WEBZINE ACC

Violin melody that illuminates unseen places

The experience of playing in a country I have never been to before, in a whole new world, is exhilarating.
It always captivates me and fills me with excitement.
In particular, Korea holds a special significance to me as a country with a deep connection and significance in my life. It is a country that has played a significant role in shaping who I am and has put me on the map.
Personally, it is a highly significant performance for me. I am looking forward to it.

Here is a story from Randall Goosby, a young 27-year-old violinist from the United States, who is preparing for a performance. To Randall Goosby, who was born between a third-generation Korean-Japanese mother and an African-American father, Korea is a country that holds a special place in his heart like no other.

A young musician who is showcasing his first performance in Korea, a country that holds a deep connection to his roots. Perhaps that is why Randall Goosby's violin recital at this year's ACC Super Classic was filled with even deeper dedication and heartfelt emotions. Throughout the performance, he poured all his efforts into presenting new music that had not been easily accessible in concert halls before, especially for the Korean audience, as a tribute to his mother's homeland. The interaction with the audience was evident, with shouts of “Bravo” and generous praise being exchanged throughout the performance. We invite you into the moving stage that was created by the collaboration of Randall Goosby, pianist Ju Wang, and the ACC audience.

First Movement

“My mother is the source of my inspiration.”

From starting violin at the age of 7, winning the Sphinx Competition in the U.S for young musicians at 14, being admitted to The Juilliard School on a scholarship, to releasing his own album at the age of 24, he has become a promising violinist. Randall Goosby has been receiving a lot of attention in the recent American classical music scene.

Goosby, who is not only a representative disciple of the violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman but also one of his most prominent students, considers his mother as the greatest source of inspiration and the driving force behind his music. His mother would enter the room and sit down with a timer whenever he practiced violin as a child. So Goosby had to practice violin for a full hour non-stop. Thanks to his mother, who sat beside him patiently three times a day, supporting and enduring with him, Goosby is who he is today.

His mother was also the source of strength that allowed him to achieve exceptional success as a person of color in the predominantly White classical music industry. Growing up between an African-American father and a third-generation Korean-Japanese mother, there may have been moments of identity confusion, but ironically, it was through this experience that his musical expression widened and deepened even further. In this year's ACC Super Classic concert, Randall Goosby's unique musical world was fully showcased without reservation. Music for those who are overlooked and marginalized. Randall Goosby's music contains warm encouragement for those who are still unknown and hidden in the world.

Second Movement

“The gaze towards music and people who are marginalized.”

Due to his unique background of having Korean lineage with a Black appearance, Randall Goosby's music has a slightly different hue as well. He enjoys less well-known and unfamiliar repertoire that is not as widely recognized by the general public, as opposed to the popular and well-known pieces that most violinists prefer. These are often excellent pieces, but due to being works by minority composers, they have been overlooked. They might have also been forgotten over time for not being well-known. Additionally, performing these pieces in front of audiences who primarily prefer popular repertoire can carry a significant risk. Randall Goosby's focus is primarily directed towards such works. At first, he naturally gravitated towards such music, and now he has come to appreciate the charm of these pieces, intentionally seeking them out more often.

The program for this ACC Super Classic concert is also filled with lesser-known pieces that are not widely recognized by the general public. Starting with the “Deux Pieces” by Lili Boulanger, a French female composer who lived a short life at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, the concert also features “Suite for Violin and Piano” by William Grant Still, who is known as the first Black composer to conduct a symphony orchestra. The program also includes Beethoven's “Kreutzer Sonata,” dedicated to the Afro-Caribbean violinist George Bridgetower. Obscure musical compositions have been resurrected through Randall Goosby's violin melodies, which were not easily accessible before. Ravel's “Violin Sonata No. 2,” which captures the charm of blues in the violin, also showcased Randall Goosby's diverse musical style. He presented a more refined performance by collaborating with the pianist Ju Wang, with whom he has been performing and practicing together since his days at The Juilliard School of Music. A stage where beautiful music, even as a single piece, is newly connected and enhanced through the bridge called Randall Goosby, adding new colors. The ACC audience, who filled the seats, were able to enter a new world of violin through Randall Goosby.

Third Movement

“The gaze towards music and people who are marginalized.”

It has been three years since Randall Goosby released his first album “Roots.” Randall Goosby successfully performed his first concert in Korea on the ACC Super Classic stage. There are countless individuals who have great expectations for his future music, based on the musical world he has already presented to us. As a musician who crosses boundaries, his future music will undoubtedly encompass an even broader spectrum of colors and styles. I eagerly anticipate where his music will illuminate and uncover hidden realms, shedding light on new and unexplored territories. Without a doubt, wherever Randall Goosby's violin melodies travel, they will illuminate and shine with even greater brilliance.