Namju Back was born in 1996 in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in a musical family. He started taking clarinet lessons at the age of four. At ten, he won first prize in the wind instrument competition held by Seoul National University. At twelve, he performed with the Prime Orchestra, the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra. At nineteen, he was selected as a Kumho Young Artist and gave his first solo concert, showcasing his talent as a soloist at a young age.

Additionally, he expanded his musical knowledge by participating in masterclasses with Sharon Kam, Julian Bliss, and François Benda. He graduated from Yewon arts School in 2012 and Seoul Arts High School in 2015. In 2019, he earned his bachelor’s degree under Prof. Ralph Manno at ‘HfMT Köln’ and completed his master’s degree at the same institution in September 2023. He is currently enrolled in the Konzertexamen degree at ’HMT Rostock‘, studying under Prof. Heiner Schindler.

Program

1st round

Patricia Gil Jiménez / Rhythms and tones for the Angels for clarinet and electronics
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / Concerto 1st movement