South Korean pianist Lee Hun, who suffered a devastating stroke in 2012 that paralyzed the right side of his body, has rebuilt his career as a left-hand-only performer and is now preparing for his first orchestral concert at an international festival next month.
Lee, 54, said his initial concern after the stroke was whether he would walk again, not return to music. The stroke damaged about 60 percent of the left hemisphere of his brain, leaving him unable to move his right arm and leg and causing temporary aphasia. He was later brought back to South Korea in a wheelchair and could not even recognize his father upon arrival.
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His recovery took a turn in 2013 when former teacher Chun Yung Hae encouraged him to explore piano pieces written for the left hand alone. Inspired, Lee resumed practice and made his formal debut in 2016 at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital.
Since then, he has performed widely, appeared on television and authored a memoir. Now able to walk unaided and communicate more smoothly, Lee will perform Ravel’s “Piano Concerto for the Left Hand” on May 2 at the Icheon Young-Artist International Music Festival.
Despite slim medical prospects of regaining full use of his right hand, Lee remains hopeful of one day performing with both hands again.