Star soloists, renowned orchestras in Korea
By Do Je-hae
A number of sizzling classical music concerts are scheduled for the remainder of the year. For piano lovers, the highlight is sure to be the return of Russian virtuoso Evgeny Kissin to the local stage.
The 40-year-old has given recitals here in the last few years, but it is the first time he will be performing a concerto in Korea, partnered by another Russian virtuoso pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy who leads the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO).
Together, they will perform Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” at Seoul Arts Center on Nov. 16 and 17. The occasion marks the first visit of Australia’s best symphony orchestra.
The SSO will also perform Rachmaninoff’s “Symphony No. 2,” Brahms’ “Symphony No. 1” and the Shostakovich’s “Cello Concerto No. 1” with Mischa Maisky.
A former child prodigy, Kissin is widely recognized as one of the foremost classical pianists of our time, known for his hard work and versatility.
“He is a born musician and a born great pianist,” remarked Ashkenazy on Kissin’s unique gifts. ““Without complete devotion, you cannot achieve very much and Evgeny Kissin understands this.”
A student of the esteemed Gnessin School of Music, Kissin is known for his interpretations of the works of the Romantics, particularly Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt. But he also has the capacity to move the audience to tears with Beethoven and Mozart.
Kissin’s popularity derives from an extraordinary ability to bring the highest level of musicality and deep insights into the music he's playing no matter what it is.
During his last recital in Korea in 2009, the Russian sensation left the audience in complete awe and even went on to provide as many as 10 encores.
Legendary flautist Sir James Galway’s recital is also highly anticipated.
He will hit the Seoul Arts Center stage on Oct. 2. For this performance, Galway will be joined by his wife Jeanne Galway, also a world-famous flute player, and pianist Michael McHale, playing “Fantasie for Flute & Piano Op. 79” by Faure and “Andante & Rondo for 2 Flutes and Piano Op. 25” by Franz Doppler, among others.
Russian maestro Ashkenazy is planning to give a rare piano recital with his son, Vovka Ashkenazy, on Oct. 12, also at the Seoul Arts Center.
Since he announced his retirement as a solo pianist in 2007, Vladimir Askenazy has concentrated on his position as principal conductor and director for the European Union Youth Orchestra and Sydney Symphony.
U.S. piano virtuoso Murray Perahia will give a recital at the Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 23.
Orchestral music
Some of the world’s most respected orchestras will be coming to Korea in the next few months, including the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Paris Orchestra.
The Berlin Philharmonic is one of the most popular orchestras here. Sir Simon Rattle will lead the ensemble in a program of Mahler and Bruckner at the Seoul Arts Center on Nov. 15 and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 16.
The orchestra performed a rare complete cycle of Brahms’ four symphonies in November 2008 in Seoul to critical acclaim and since then, their visits have been highly anticipated.
This time, the renowned German ensemble will present the best of Austrian symphonic masterpieces, including Mahler’s “Symphony No. 9” and Bruckner’s “Symphony No. 9”, on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 respectively. They are both the final symphonies of the two composers.
On Nov. 16, the Berlin Philharmonic will also play Ravel’s “Alborada del gracioso” from the suite “Miroirs” and Hosokawa’s horn concerto “Moment of Blossoming” will be performed by the orchestra’s renowned principal horn player Stefan Dohr.
The Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Marek Janowski will hold a concert on Oct. 6 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. The program will consist of Weber’s “Der Freischtz” overture, Beethoven’ “Piano Concerto No. 5” and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 3.” Pianist Cho Seong-jin, third prize winner at the 2011 International Tchaikovsky Competition, has been invited to play as soloist in the Beethoven concerto.
Russian maestro Yuri Temirkanov will bring his St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra to the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall on Nov. 8 and 9 in a program of Rachmoninoff, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky.
The Paris Orchestra led by Pavvo Jarvi will collaborate with pianist Paik Kun-woo on Dec. 12 and 13.