These works were the simplest way of capturing a specific moment and feeling when I wrote them.
The sheet music for piano sensation Yiruma’s 20th Anniversary album SOLO has been published in two new official piano collections by Faber Music. Released in 2021 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Yiruma’s debut as a composer, the album SOLO featured best-loved works including Kiss the Rain and River Flows in You.
Yiruma SOLO: Original and Yiruma SOLO: Easy present the composer’s own scores for each piece on SOLO, with the Easy collection presenting more accessible arrangements for beginner pianists. Each book is beautifully presented with thread-sewn binding and gold foiling and contains striking photography as well as a short foreword from the composer.
He writes:
I have compiled a list of my pieces for solo piano that have existed for a long time. These works were the simplest way of capturing a specific moment and feeling when I wrote them. I would like to share these moments with you now and wish sincerely that my music be a hand to hold along the winding path of life.
Yiruma has released a special video message for fans in celebration of the new editions, saying,
I am more than happy to announce that my new music scores have been published by Faber Music. When I was a student, I used to use a lot of Faber Music scores to study, so this is very meaningful to me and I’m very happy that after all these years my music has been published by Faber Music – it is a dream come true.
Contents
Sometimes Someone; Destiny of Love; Lost in Island; Shining Smile; Spring Waltz; River Flows in You; Joy; 27 May; The Sunbeams, They Scatter; I; If I Could See You Again; It’s Your Day; Kiss The Rain; Lord Hold My Hand
About Yiruma
Yiruma's musical journey began at age five, when a fascination with the piano grew into a love for music and composition. He moved to England at the age of 10 to join the prestigious Purcell School of Music then enrolled in London University of King's College.
Yiruma's first album, Love Scene, came out in 2001, and demonstrated his skill in combining friendly, approachable melodies with a polished performance. That same year, he wrote the follow-up collection, First Love, which included the iconic No.1 hit River Flows in You. In 2002, Yiruma performed at the prestigious Marché International du Disque et de l'édition Musicale in Cannes, the first Korean musician to do so.
2003 saw the release of Yiruma's third album, titled From the Yellow Room, and a host of sell-out shows in South Korea. At this time Yiruma was also demonstrating his versatility by writing for bands and other artists, including 2AM, Kim Hojoong, SHINee, Ailee and Baek Ji Young. Yiruma's success continued to flourish internationally as well. In 2012, he made an appearance on the German TV show Wilkommen Bei Carmen Nebel, and in the following years, he held sold-out concerts in a myriad of countries and popular venues, such as the New York Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Sydney Opera House.
With new opportunities presented by online platforms, Yiruma's 10th Anniversary compilation album The Best: Reminiscent, shot to No. 1 for 23 weeks in the US Billboard charts, and dominated the charts for more than 170 weeks. This marked yet another milestone in album sales, becoming the second platinum award to add to his already amassed pair of gold awards.
Yiruma continues to find inspiration in people around him, and hopes his music can heal, inspire, and remind the audience of love and hope. With each piece, Yiruma prays that he can show God's love by intertwining his aspirations with music that connects with people all around the world.