Chamber Music Galore in Seoul
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
From May 2 to 13, Seoul will turn into a playground for chamber musicians and classical music buffs with the Third Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music. A total of 30 soloists, including the festival's artistic director and violinist, Kang Dong-suk, and 7 ensembles, will give 14 performances in various venues around the city.
``This year, we tried our best to attract wider public attention. While focusing on chamber music, we will also feature various performances incorporating dances and such,'' festival director Kim Hyung-kook told reporters at a press conference earlier this month.
``And as much as the festival takes place in Seoul, we tried to incorporate more Asian elements,'' he said. As such, the opening concert, May 2, will premiere Kang Un-su's ``Forever Young.'' Commissioned by the festival, the chamber music piece was inspired by the life of poet Yoon Dong-joo and pastor Kang Won-yong. Other featured works are those that composers like Rossini wrote in their youth, such as Sonate a Quattro. The concert is titled ``Youth,'' in tune with the festival's theme ``Life Story.''
Other concerts include ``Twilight,'' which offers work from artists' mature period, like Mendelssohn's String Quintet No. 2. ``Love and Passion'' depicts the romantic inspiration of composers' music while ``Love and Death'' lists pieces that reflect sorrow over losing someone dear. Another unique section is ``Screen & Stage,'' which brings together classical pieces that were originally written for theatrical productions or narrative performances, such as Beethoven's Piano Trio in D major, ``Ghost.''
The festival invites premier musicians from near and far, including professor/pianist Kim Dae-jin and renowned Israeli violinist Pinchas Zukerman (May 12), as well as the Prazak Quartet (May 7) from the Czech Republic.
Concertgoers can also look forward to classical music with a fresh twist. The zestful French clarinet ensemble, Les Bons Becs, will jazz up the classics (May 7, 9).
Also to perform are rising young stars such as the newly formed Ensemble Nouvelle Generation de Paris and four winners of the prestigious Long-Thibault Competition.
There are also outdoor events anyone can enjoy free of charge. At 6 p.m. on May 5 (Children's Day), cellists Yang Sung-won, Park Sang-min, Andres Diaz and pianists Siqing Lu and Xu Zhong, among others, will perform works by Beethoven, Czerny, Sarasate and others at Deoksu Palace
Participants can also look forward to the fringe festival. Inspired by the Edinburgh International Festival, these outdoor shows will take place several times a day in various venues, including Insa-dong and COEX (Samseong-dong). Visit www.seoulspring.org or call (02) 720-3933.
Concerts at the Sejong Chamber Hall and the LG Arts Center cost 10,000-50,000 won, while those at Myeong-dong Cathedral, Mapo Arts Center and Sejong M Theater cost 10,000-20,000 won. The Deoksu Palace concert and fringe festival performances are free. Call (02) 712-4879.
Yamaha Artist Services Seoul offers the 2008 Yamaha Chamber Music Series. Pianist Kim Yong-bae, who recently gave 40 sellout ``11 O'clock'' concerts at the Seoul Arts Center, invites concertgoers to an intimate experience with chamber music.
At 8 p.m., May 19, Kim and woodwind artists will perform pieces by Gordon Jacob and Francis Poulenc.
The venue seats just 100. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the performance on a first come, first served basis.
Yamaha Artist Services Seoul is located on the first floor of COEX Exhibition hall, connected to Samseong station on subway line 2. Call (02) 6000-2555.