US Pianist Russell Sherman Passes Away... Im Yoon-chan's 'Musical Roots'

Russell Sherman, the American piano maestro and mentor of Professor Son Min-su, who taught Im Yoon-chan, has passed away.

The American media outlet The Boston Globe reported on the 1st (local time) that Sherman passed away at his home on the 30th of last month. He was 93 years old.

Sherman began learning piano at the age of six and studied under Edward Steuermann.

At Columbia University, he majored in anthropology, not piano. He was nicknamed the "Philosopher on the Keyboard" for his performances that contained deep insights into life.

Sherman, who served as a distinguished professor at the New England Conservatory, was married to Korean pianist Byeon Hye-gyeong, who is also a professor at the same school. The couple is well known as world-class piano educators at the institution.

Sherman trained many prominent Korean students, including Professor Son, pianists Baek Hye-sun, Lee Bang-sook, Lee Mi-hye, Lee Mi-joo, Park Jong-hwa, and Park Jong-gyeong.

Although Im Yoon-chan did not receive direct instruction from Sherman, he was influenced by Sherman through Professor Son.

A notable anecdote is that before the Van Cliburn Competition in June last year, Im sent a message to Professor Son saying, "I dedicate today's performance to Mr. Russell Sherman."

In the semifinals of this competition, Im performed Liszt's "Transcendental ?tudes," which Sherman had played throughout his life. Professor Son said, "I don't know how he came up with such an idea amid the tough competition," and added, "Although Yoon-chan never met Mr. Sherman, he seemed to consider him as a kind of root for himself." Im Yoon-chan has named Russell Sherman as a pianist he respects deeply.

During his lifetime, Sherman visited Korea several times to hold concerts and often referred to Korea as his "second hometown" in media interviews.

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