Won-Sook Hur is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. She was born on December 31, 1965, in Seoul, South Korea. Her parents were both musicians, and they recognized her talent for music at a young age. They encouraged her to pursue her passion for music, and she began her musical journey at the age of five. Won-Sook Hur started her musical education at the Yewon School in Seoul, where she studied piano under the guidance of Professor Lee Kyung-Sook. She showed exceptional talent and dedication to her craft, and her hard work paid off when she won the first prize at the Korean National Music Competition at the age of nine. In 1976, Won-Sook Hur moved to Germany with her family, where she continued her musical education at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover. She studied under the tutelage of Professor Karl-Heinz Kämmerling, who recognized her talent and potential. She completed her studies with distinction and received her diploma in 1986. Won-Sook Hur's career as a concert pianist began in 1987 when she won the first prize at the International Piano Competition in Senigallia, Italy. This was a significant achievement for her, and it opened up many opportunities for her to perform in concerts around the world. Since then, Won-Sook Hur has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Salle Pleyel in Paris. She has collaborated with some of the most renowned conductors and orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Won-Sook Hur's repertoire includes works by some of the greatest composers in history, including Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, and Schumann. She is known for her exceptional technique, musicality, and sensitivity, which have earned her critical acclaim and a loyal following of fans around the world. In addition to her successful career as a concert pianist, Won-Sook Hur is also a dedicated teacher. She has taught at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover, the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, and the Seoul National University in South Korea. She is known for her ability to inspire and motivate her students, and many of them have gone on to have successful careers in music. Won-Sook Hur has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1990, she was awarded the prestigious Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Prize in Italy, which is awarded to the most promising young pianists. In 1995, she was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit by the South Korean government in recognition of her contribution to the arts. Won-Sook Hur's recordings have also received critical acclaim. Her recording of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Claudio Abbado was awarded the Diapason d'Or in France in 1993. Her recording of Chopin's Nocturnes was also highly praised and received the Grand Prix du Disque in France in 1996. In conclusion, Won-Sook Hur is a highly accomplished classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Her exceptional talent, dedication, and hard work have earned her critical acclaim and a loyal following of fans around the world.

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