Michael Jinsoo Lim

Press quotes

"Henry Cowell's Homage to Iran was played with delicious abandon by violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim."
—Gramophone

“Conspicuously accomplished champion of contemporary music.”
—Los Angeles Times

"Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim hit trills and cirrus-high notes with bewitching concision."
—Seattle Times

“Ms. Pantastico excelled in the concerto’s outer movements, where the upward sweep of a leg or the downward tap of a toe showed her uncannily at one with Michael Jinsoo Lim’s solo violin.”
—New York Times

"Michael Jinsoo Lim is a wonderfully evocative violinist, equally comfortable with the classical repertory as he is with contemporary music. Seen live, his playing smokes and sizzles with dynamic tension."
—International Examiner

“Michael Jinsoo Lim’s luscious violin solos were remarkable for their sweetness and clarity.”
—Dance International

"A formidable violinist."
—The Stranger

"Thanks to the violin and viola of Michael Jinsoo Lim and Melia Watras, the competent neo-classicism of the Duo by the eclectic Paul Chihara achieved a rare refinement.”
—Les Dernières Nouvelles D’Alsace (France)

“One more chance to see the inimitable Carla Körbes in Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake, as well as the stunning Lesley Rausch and Laura Tisserand, and Michael Jinsoo Lim’s almost unbearably-sweet violin.”
—Finding Balance

“Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim explored the (Prokofiev) concerto’s shadings with feeling and finesse.”
—Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim’s delicate solo rendering of a Tchaikovsky piece added by Balanchine to this production (it’s from Sleeping Beauty, but uses a theme later developed in Nutcracker) made what could have been an awkward pause in the first-act action into a moment of quiet beauty.”
—Seattle Times

“Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Emil de Cou, captured the richness of Tchaikovsky's timeless score, with beautiful violin solos by Concertmaster Michael Jinsoo Lim.”
—Bachtrack

“It gives off a lonely sense of déjà vu that is never truly resolved, supported by the ethereal music featuring sublime violin solos played by Michael Jinsoo Lim.”
—KCTS-Seattle

“Michael Jinsoo Lim gives the sweetness a gutsy tango feel”
—Tacoma News-Tribune

“From power in grace to sinew and sex. Scored to nothing but Michael Jinsoo Lim’s violin, from which he somehow plucks and strums the lofi sounds of an electric guitar, Red Angels by Ulysses Dove is seedy.”
—Seattle Metropolitan Magazine

“In between these two was the return of William Forsythe’s New Suite, a series of brief pas de deux (many of which whimsically play with the idea of how a dance should end). It showed off the powerhouse partnership of Carrie Imler (watch her while you can; she retires at the end of the season) and Jonathan Porretta, the irresistible charm of Angelica Generosa, an exquisitely sigh-inducing slow lift performed by Leah Merchant and Steven Loch, and masterful violin work by Michael Jinsoo Lim and Emilie Choi.”
—Seattle Times

“Conductor Emil de Cou and the orchestra accompanied the performance with excellent playing and timing, including the expressive violin solo from concertmaster Michael Jinsoo Lim.”
—Sun Break

“Michael Jinsoo Lim’s violin solo was haunting and lovely, a breathtaking combination with the tragedy of Odette’s solo.”
—Seattle Dances

“Michael Jinsoo Lim, the violinist, played Prokofiev’s first violin concerto beautifully, and the constantly shifting pace and notes of the music mirror the fracturing of the dream on stage.”
—Seattle Chinese Times

“Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim and pianist Christina Siemens played the Pärt with feeling and depth, demonstrating once again how fortunate PNB is to have musicians of such quality."
—Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra (Michael Jinsoo Lim, Concertmaster) press quotes:

"Surely the best ballet band in America."
—New York Times

"The playing of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra remains the finest of any American ballet troupe, beautifully showing the sensuous harmonies of the score."
—New York Times

"The outstanding Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Emil de Cou, brought newfound beauty to this score.”
—Los Angeles Times

"Prokofiev’s celebrated score for Romeo and Juliet has never sounded better in the theater, in my experience, than at Pacific Northwest Ballet’s two performances on Saturday at City Center."
—New York Times

“Among American troops, Pacific Northwest has been one of the most successful in switching to digital programs to keep their dancers active and engage their audiences. Its latest offer is characteristic: beautifully filmed and packed with extra features, including a pure selection of music by the company’s first-class musicians.”
—New York Times

Corigliano Quartet (Michael Jinsoo Lim, co-founder and violinist) press quotes:

"The unbridled force and full-metal virtuosity that the Corigliano Quartet unleash on this music is astounding."
—Gramophone

“Knockout performances.”
—New York Times

“Performances by the Corigliano Quartet are aptly bold and authoritative.”
—The Strad

“The Corigliano Quartet plays with fervor and imagination.”
—San Francisco Chronicle

“The beautifully blended sounds of the Corigliano Quartet achieve a rare expression of nostalgic wonder.”
—Scene Magazine (London)