Celebrate 2007 Finale in Classic Style
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
They say all's well that ends well. With less than a week until 2008, here are several classical concerts to wrap up 2007 on a positive ― and melodious ― note. All ticket reservations are available at www.ticketlink.co.kr (1588-7890) and www.interpark.com (1544-1555).
Year-End Concerts
Brahms Series:
Maestro Chung Myung-whun and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra offer the last ― but not least ― edition of the Brahms Special Orchestra Series, Thursday at the Seoul Arts Center. The highlight of the fifth serial performance dedicated to Johannes Brahm (1833-1897) is the appearance of Brazil's celebrated pianist Nelson Freire.
The 63-year-old was personally sponsored by the Brazilian president to study in Vienna at the age of 10, and has since appeared in major music capitals with renowned musicians and ensembles.
Having won Gramophone's 2007 Record of the Year Award for his recording of Brahms Piano Concerto Nos. 1 and 2 with Decca, he joins Korea's oldest classical ensemble to give life to the second concerto.
The philharmonic group will also play Symphony No. 4 to conclude the series paying homage to the German Romantic composer. Seoul Arts Center is located near Nambu Bus Terminal station on subway line 3. Tickets cost 10,000-100,000 won. Call (02) 3700-6300.
Crossover tenor Im Tae-kyung
offers fans his first solo concert ``Winter Voyage,'' Sunday at Goyang Oulim Nuri Arts Complex, Gyeonggi Province. The 34-year-old singer has made a name for himself singing classical, musical and pop tunes.
The engineering student-turned musician made a relatively late debut in 2002. But as a disciple of tenor Richard Casily (New York Metropolitan Opera), Im was soon singing on big stages, including the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup Eve Festival, and singing principal roles in musicals such as ``Jesus Christ Superstar.''
In addition to releasing his first album ``Sentimental Journey'' (2004), Im sang on the original soundtracks of hit TV dramas including ``Jumong'' (2006). He will sing sons from his recordings as well as musical scores and new songs slated for release next year.
The concert begins at 5 p.m. at Goyang Oulim Nuri Arts Complex, which is located near Daehwa Station on subway line 3. Tickets cost 30,000-50,000 won. Call 1577-7766.
New Year's Eve Concerts
Seoul Arts Center, southern Seoul, offers Seoulites its 14th annual New Year's Eve Concert with popular musicians from Korea's classical music scene.
Under the baton of Lee Dae-wook, the Gangnam Symphony Orchestra will present timeless pieces including Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto Op. 35 with Yang Sung-sik, Listz's Piano Concerto No. 1 with Park Jong-hwa, and songs by Strauss and Dvorak with soprano Park My-hye.
Cards where you can write your New Year's resolutions will be available in the lobby before the start of the concert. Make sure you keep your message. Just before midnight, concertgoers will be able to convene outside on the square for the countdown. Celebrate New Year's with sensational fireworks and set your balloon free with your New Year's messages attached.
Tickets cost 30,000-60,000 won. Call (02) 580-1300.
Sejong Center
for the Performing Arts will host a New Year's Eve Concert north of the Han River. The concert features Korea's favorite popera artist Lim Hyung-joo, who will sing popular songs including ``Once Upon a Time,'' ``Only Love'' and ``Yesterday.''
In the second half of the concert, baritone Kim Dong-gyu ― the first Korean male artist to debut at Italy's famed La Scala ― will deliver classical tunes such as ``Granada.''
Enjoy the luminous Christmas light decorations around the Gwanghwamun area before the concert begins at 10 p.m. Concertgoers will also be able to take part in a special event, where you write a postcard addressed to yourself with all your hopes for 2008. Sejong Center will then send these to you in December 2008, when you can reminisce on the final moments of 2007.
Sejong Center is located near Ganghwamun station on subway line 5. Tickets cost 20,000-60,000 won. Call (02) 399-1114~6.
Incheon Culture & Arts Center
presents a well-rounded New Year's Eve Concert featuring operatic arias, pop tunes and musical numbers.
Soprano Shin Ji-hwa and tenor Kim Nam-du will sing selections from operas by Gounod and Puccini. Mezzo-soprano Kim Hyung-ju, baritone Choi Hyun-su and three chorus groups will come onstage to deliver the fourth movement from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
After enjoying a glass of wine and refreshments during intermission, you can look forward to hearing musical stars Park Hae-mi and Lee Keon-myung sing hit songs from ``Mamma Mia,'' ``New York, New York'' and ``Jekyll & Hyde.''
At midnight, fireworks will fill the night sky to welcome 2008. Small traditional gifts, yeot (Korean toffee) and bokjumeoni, (cloth ``fortune'' pouches) will be handed out.
Tickets cost 20,000-30,000 won. Call (032) 420-2027~28. Visit art.incheon.go.kr for more information.