{{Short description|American violinist (born 1994)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Esther Yoo | image = EstherYoo2.jpg | image_size = 220 | caption = Esther Yoo | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|6|11|df=y}} | birth_place = United States | death_date = | origin = | genre = Classical | occupations = Violinist | years_active = Since 2010 | label = | website = {{URL|https://estheryooviolin.com/}} }} '''Esther Yoo''' (born 11 June 1994) is an American violinist.
==Early life and education==
Born in the United States and raised in Europe, Yoo began playing the violin at the age of 4 and made her concert debut aged 8. She attended the International School of Brussels, prior to becoming a student of Ana Chumachenco in the Excellence Bachelor Programme at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München, Augustin Dumay in the Artist Diploma Programme at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Zakhar Bron, Leonid Kerbel and Berent Korfker.
Yoo plays the 1704 "Prince Obolensky" Stradivarius, lent to her by a private collector.
== Career == thumb|Yoo playing with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Columbus, Ohio, 2020 thumb|Yoo in 2020 Yoo first came to international attention in 2010 when she became the youngest prizewinner of the 10th International International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sibeliuscompetition.fi/History/laureates/ |title=Jean Sibelius -Viulukilpailu 2015 | laureates |access-date=2015-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025144200/http://www.sibeliuscompetition.fi/History/laureates |archive-date=2018-10-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> at age 16. In 2012 she was one of the youngest ever prizewinners of the Queen Elisabeth Competition,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cmireb.be/cgi?lg=en&pag=1698&tab=102&rec=2549&frm=0 |title=Esther Yoo |access-date=2018-11-02 |archive-date=2019-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232415/http://cmireb.be/cgi?lg=en&pag=1698&tab=102&rec=2549&frm=0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and from 2014 to 2016 she was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-09-11 |title=Radio 3 announces the 2014-16 New Generation Artists |url=http://www.classical-music.com/news/radio-3-announces-next-new-generation-artists |website=BBC Music Magazine}}</ref> She was the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's first ever artist-in-residence,<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 April 2018 |title=Esther Yoo is first-ever Artist-in-Residence with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra |url=https://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2018-04-26/esther-yoo-is-first-ever-artist-in-residence-with-royal |website=harrisonparrott.com}}</ref> and was listed as one of Classic FM's Top 30 Artists under 30 in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-08 |title=30 incredible classical musicians under 30 |url=https://www.classicfm.com/events/classic-brit-awards/incredible-classical-musicians-under-30/ |publisher=Classic FM (UK) |access-date=2018-11-02 |archive-date=2020-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619192746/https://www.classicfm.com/events/classic-brit-awards/incredible-classical-musicians-under-30/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Yoo has performed with ensembles including Belgian National Orchestra,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalorchestra.be/fr/artistes/esther-yoo |title=Esther Yoo|publisher=Orchestre National de Belgique|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232535/https://www.nationalorchestra.be/fr/artistes/esther-yoo |archive-date=2019-01-21}}</ref> Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra,<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2017 |title=Esther Yoo debuts with Royal Scottish National Orchestra |url=https://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2017-12-01/esther-yoo-debuts-with-royal-scottish-national-orchestra |website=harrisonparrott.com}}</ref> Vancouver Symphony Orchestra,<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2018 |title=Esther Yoo debuts with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra |url=https://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2018-04-06/esther-yoo-debuts-with-vancouver-symphony-orchestra |website=harrisonparrott.com}}</ref> Copenhagen Philharmonic,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Esther Yoo & Tchaikovsky |url=https://www.tivoligardens.com/en/kultur+og+program/sommerklassisk/2018/esther+yoo+og+tjajkovskij |website=Tivoli}}</ref> Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hkphil.org/eng/concerts_and_ticket/concerts/concertdetail.jsp?id=324 |title=HK Phil |website=www.hkphil.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128200133/http://www.hkphil.org/eng/concerts_and_ticket/concerts/concertdetail.jsp?id=324 |archive-date=2012-11-28}}</ref> Philharmonia Orchestra,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra/soloists/614/esther_yoo |title=Soloists – Philharmonia Orchestra |website=www.philharmonia.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119105032/http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra/soloists/614/esther_yoo |archive-date=2014-01-19}}</ref> Minnesota Orchestra,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/showcase/182-meet-a-musician-esther-yoo |title=Minnesota Orchestra – Stories |website=www.minnesotaorchestra.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613101425/http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/showcase/182-meet-a-musician-esther-yoo |archive-date=2017-06-13}}</ref> Deutsche Radio Philharmonic,{{clarify|date=July 2022|reason=Which one?}} the BBC orchestras,<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Concert Orchestra |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/concertorchestra/events/performers/fb169e2f-2636-4f84-9041-079a28a2a066/performances |website=BBC}}</ref> and the symphony orchestras of Toronto, Charlotte, Iceland and Gävle. In 2017/18, Yoo was artist-in-residence with the Cambridge Corn Exchange.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artist in Residence | Cambridge Live |url=https://www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/cornex/cornex/cornex/classical-series-201718/artist-residence |website=Cambridge Corn Exchange}}</ref> On 20 March 2024 Yoo, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, performed the world premiere of Raymond Yiu's Violin Concerto, which was composed specially for her.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Concert review: Esther Yoo (violin) BBC Symphony Orchestra/Clemens Schuldt |url=https://www.thestrad.com/reviews/concert-review-esther-yoo-violin-bbc-symphony-orchestra/clemens-schuldt/17941.article|website=The Strad}}</ref>
As a chamber musician, Yoo has appeared in solo recital at Lincoln Center,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Esther Yoo, violin (U.S. recital debut), and Robert Koenig, piano |url=http://www.lincolncenter.org/show/esther-yoo-violin-us-recital-debut-and-robert-koenig-piano |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121121824/http://www.lincolncenter.org/show/esther-yoo-violin-us-recital-debut-and-robert-koenig-piano |archive-date=2019-01-21 |website=Lincoln Center}}</ref> Wigmore Hall,<ref>{{Cite web |title=BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert, Wigmore Hall Mondays: Esther Yoo and Zhang Zuo |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07457qx |website=BBC}}</ref> Oslo Opera House,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operaen.no |url=https://operaen.no/en/performances/archive/2017/paskefestival-esther-yoorobert-koenig/ |website=Den Norske Opera & Ballett}}</ref> and Centre for Fine Arts, Brussels<ref>https://www.bozar.be/en/activities/2297-esther-yoo {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> and, as a member of the Z.E.N. Trio (with former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Zhang Zuo and Narek Hakhnazaryan), at Aspen Music Festival,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/events/calendar/a-recital-by-the-zen-trio |title=A Recital by the Z.E.N. Trio|publisher=Aspen Music Festival and School|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726193651/http://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/events/calendar/a-recital-by-the-zen-trio |archive-date=2018-07-26}}</ref> Ottawa Chamberfest<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hum |first=Peter |date=2018-07-24 |title=Chamberfest preview: Z.E.N. And the art of forming a supergroup trio |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/chamberfest-preview-z-e-n-and-the-art-of-forming-a-supergroup-trio |website=Ottawa Citizen}}</ref> and in Hong Kong, Liverpool, and Cambridge. The trio first played in Australia with a national tour in 2022 for Musica Viva.<ref>[https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2022/z.e.n.-trio/ "Z.E.N. Trio"], Melbourne Recital Centre</ref>
On her YouTube channel, Yoo hosts videos on violin technique and practice tips, cooking, life as a touring artist, the making of her albums with Deutsche Grammophon and Decca, and more.<ref>{{YouTube|title=Esther Yoo Violin|channel=UClLsILdMu0z_R7ARWQkYPbg}}</ref> In 2021, she launched the video series "Artist Confidential" inviting artists to reflect on what it means to be a musician today.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Artist Confidential with Esther Yoo |url=https://www.thestrad.com/video/artist-confidential-with-esther-yoo/13412.article |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=The Strad}}</ref>
== Awards and prizes ==
In 2006, Yoo was given first prize in the junior section of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition and also the European Union Award for Music Art for Youth. She then went on to be the youngest prizewinner of the 10th International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title = Jean Sibelius -Viulukilpailu 2015 {{!}} laureates|url = http://www.sibeliuscompetition.fi/History/laureates/|website = www.sibeliuscompetition.fi|access-date = 2015-09-29|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181025144200/http://www.sibeliuscompetition.fi/History/laureates|archive-date = 2018-10-25|url-status = dead}}</ref> at the age of 16. Then in 2012 Yoo was one of the youngest ever prizewinners of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Esther Yoo|url = http://www.cmireb.be/cgi?lg=en&pag=1698&tab=102&rec=2549&frm=0|website = www.cmireb.be|access-date = 2015-09-29|archive-date = 2015-10-02|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151002040904/http://www.cmireb.be/cgi?lg=en&pag=1698&tab=102&rec=2549&frm=0|url-status = dead}}</ref>
In 2014 Yoo was named as a BBC New Generation Artist for 2014–16.<ref>{{Cite web|title = BBC Radio 3 announces the next BBC New Generation Artists|url = http://www.classical-music.com/news/radio-3-announces-next-new-generation-artists|website = www.classical-music.com|access-date = 2015-09-29}}</ref>
In 2020, Yoo was named one of twenty notable musicians to watch in 2020 by WQXR-FM.<ref>{{cite web |title=WQXR Presents "20 For 20": Artists To Watch for the Upcoming Year |url=https://www.wqxr.org/story/wqxr-artists-watch-upcoming-year-20-for-20/ |website=WQXR |publisher=New York Public Radio |access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref>
== Recordings == * ''[https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/us/cat/4812157 Sibelius + Glazunov Violin Concertos]'' – Esther Yoo, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Philharmonia Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon, 2015)<ref>{{Cite web |title=SIBELIUS · GLAZUNOV Concertos / Yoo |url=https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/sibelius-glazunov-concertos-yoo-8294 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Deutsche Grammophon |language=}}</ref> * ''[https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/us/cat/4815032 Tchaikovsky]'' – Esther Yoo, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Philharmonia Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon, 2017)<ref>{{Cite web |title=TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto / Yoo |url=https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/tchaikovsky-violin-concerto-yoo-10818 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=Deutsche Grammophon |language=}}</ref> * ''[https://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/dvo%C5%99%C3%A1k-brahms-piano-trios Brahms & Dvorak Piano Trios]'' – Z.E.N. Trio – Zhang Zuo, Esther Yoo and Narek Hakhnazaryan (Deutsche Grammophon, 2017)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farach-Colton |first=Andrew |title=DVOŘÁK; BRAHMS Piano Trios |url=https://www.gramophone.co.uk/reviews/review?slug=dvořák-brahms-piano-trios |access-date= |website=Gramophone |language=en}}</ref> * [https://store.deccaclassics.com/*/CD-Classics/On-Chesil-Beach-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/5TZJ0FL9000 Original Soundtrack] of ''On Chesil Beach'' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131040418/https://store.deccaclassics.com/*/CD-Classics/On-Chesil-Beach-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/5TZJ0FL9000 |date=2019-01-31 }} – Esther Yoo & BBC National Orchestra of Wales (Decca Classics, 2018)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://store.deccaclassics.com/*/CD-Classics/On-Chesil-Beach-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/5TZJ0FL9000 |title=Decca Classics - Official Store |access-date=2018-11-02 |archive-date=2019-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131040418/https://store.deccaclassics.com/*/CD-Classics/On-Chesil-Beach-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/5TZJ0FL9000 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * ''[https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/burning-through-the-cold-the-z-e-n-trio-12226 Burning Through the Cold]'' – Z.E.N. Trio – Zhang Zuo, Esther Yoo and Narek Hakhnazaryan (Deutsche Grammophon, 2020)<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Burning Through the Cold'', The Z.E.N. Trio|url=https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/burning-through-the-cold-the-z-e-n-trio-12226 |access-date=2022-04-14 |publisher=Deutsche Grammophon}}</ref> * ''[https://www.amazon.com/Barber-Esther-Vasily-Petrenko-Philharmonic/dp/B0C2HYPSFY Barber, Bruch]'' with Vasily Petrenko, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon, 2023) * ''[https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9841443--love-symposium Love Symposium]'' with Long Yu, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon, 2026)
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{Official|https://estheryooviolin.com/}} * [https://www.harrisonparrott.com/artists/esther-yoo Profile] at HarrisonParrott, agent * [https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/artists/esther-yoo Profile] at Deutsche Grammophon
{{Portal bar|Biography|Classical music}} {{Authority control|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yoo, Esther}} Category:American women classical violinists Category:American classical musicians of Korean descent Category:International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition prize-winners Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Deutsche Grammophon artists Category:21st-century classical violinists