Esther Yoo

Esther Yoo

Violin

Esther Yoo is managed in the Benelux by Leontien van der Vliet

Contact:
E: leontien.vandervliet@interartists.nl
T: +31 652468707

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Esther Yoo is recognized for her profound depth of expression and breathtakingly dazzling technique, making her unquestionably now one of the world’s leading violinists.

She has appeared as soloist with the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philharmonia Orchestra, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, Orquestra Sinfónica RTVE, Melbourne Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as at Lincoln Center, Royal Albert Hall, Seoul Arts Center, Aspen Music Festival and the BBC Proms.

Her collaborations with leading conductors include Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jaap Van Zweden, Tugan Sokhiev, Myung-Whun Chung, Vasily Petrenko, Santtu-Matias Rouvali, Dalia Stasevska and Karina Canellakis.

2024/25 season highlights include her debuts with Baltimore Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Shanghai Symphony, and China Philharmonic, tours with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Korean Chamber Orchestra, and returns to Wigmore Hall and Concertgebouw Amsterdam.

As a chamber musician, Esther appears in recital and as a founding member of Z.E.N. Trio alongside Zhang Zuo and Narek Hakhnazaryan.

Esther may be unique among classical soloists in being fully tri-cultural. She was born and spent her earliest years in the U.S., before receiving her education in Belgium and Germany, but she proudly retains her family’s Korean heritage. Having authentic roots in three continents contributes to her versatility and exceptionally broad range of expression, and is unquestionably a factor in making her one of the most articulate and gifted communicators in the field of classical music.

In 2010 she became the youngest prizewinner of the International Sibelius Violin Competition and of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in 2012. Since then she has released several critically acclaimed albums on Deutsche Grammophon, and in 2018 was selected as one of Classic FM’s Top 30 Artists under 30.

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Reviews

“…she performed Mendelssohn’s violin concerto with tight dexterity and balanced grace and a tone which was lean yet strong, deliberate yet gentle. Her cadenzas sparkled, with seriously impressive ornamentation and silkily subtle double-stopping, though it was her dialogue with the orchestra which really showcased her command of the music.”

— The Herald

“And the virtuoso fireworks of the finale, which can trip up even the best violinists, caused her no trouble. It was altogether a wonderful performance which thrilled the audience, aware they were witnessing a star in the making.”

— The Daily Telegraph