World-renowned South Korean composer and pianist YIRUMA will make his much-anticipated return to Australian stages next week, performing in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney before concluding his Oceania tour in Auckland, New Zealand.
Internationally acclaimed for hits such as River Flows in You and Kiss the Rain, YIRUMA is regarded as one of the world’s leading composer-pianists having amassed more than 2 billion streams and selling out concerts globally.
YIRUMA said in a statement that he is excited to be returning to Oceania after a 5-year absence to launch his world tour and connect with audiences. “If you are looking for soothing or healing time, then this is it. I invite everyone to join me and enjoy these special performances,” he said.
These performances will celebrate the 23rd anniversary of YIRUMA’s debut album and new recording, The Rewritten Memories, which features brand-new orchestral arrangements of some of his best-loved works from the past two decades.
Oceania fans can expect a career spanning set as well as the live debut of tracks from YIRUMA’s 2023 EP, non è la fine accompanied by cello. YIRUMA’s best-selling neo-classical catalogue will be brought to life by a string orchestra featuring piano, violin and cello.
According to Vian Lin, Harmonie International Director, the demand for tickets has been unprecedented and a reflection of YIRUMA’s popularity and extraordinary virtuosity. “It is truly a pleasure to be able to bring YIRUMA back to Oceania after such a long wait. Excitement for the tour has been building for some time,” she said.
“We have seen great demand for tickets in all markets, with Brisbane and Sydney completely sold out. Only limited tickets remain in both Melbourne and Auckland. We can’t wait to welcome YIRUMA and share another world-class musical experience with audiences,” said Lin.
2024 marks the 23rd year of YIRUMA’s musical journey. Starting to learn piano at the age of 5, he pursued music studies at King’s College, London. At the age of 23, in 2001, he released his debut album and has since composed over 200 pieces, accumulating over 2 billion streams.
His 10th-anniversary album, Best Reminiscent” held the top spot on the Billboard Classical chart for 23 consecutive weeks and has remained in the top ranks for over 170 weeks. His 2021 release, SOLO, achieved an impressive 9th position on the Billboard Classical Albums chart, maintaining continuous love on the global stage.
YIRUMA has dominated social media channels with millions of views across YouTube, Spotify and other platforms. He has also collaborated with K-pop artists such as 2AM, Ailee and Baek Ji Young. In 2021 YIRUMA partnered with Samsung when he wrote and recorded the theme tune for the Galaxy S21 series with Over the Horizon.
YIRUMA’s Oceania concerts will be the beginning of a global tour for the international superstar. Following the Oceania Tour, he will travel to Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and other Asian countries, as well as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, conveying his piano melodies to audiences worldwide.
YIRUMA 2023 LIVE IN OCEANIA
Concert Hall – QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank (Brisbane)
Performance: Sunday 26 November 2023 – sold out
Information: www.qpac.com.au
Palais Theatre, Lower Esplanade, St Kilda (Melbourne)
Performance: Friday 1 December 2023 – 8.00pm
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
Concert Hall – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point (Sydney)
Performance: Sunday 3 December 2023 – sold out
Information: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
The Civic, Queen Street, Auckland (New Zealand)
Performance: Tuesday 5 December 2023 – 7.30pm
Bookings: www.aucklandlive.co.nz
Image: YIRUMA (supplied)