Sejong Soloists to Go on Stage
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
The International Sejong Soloists will energize the New Year with their youthful zest and refreshing classicality. The chamber ensemble visits its Korean fans with a series of performances in Goyang, Jeonju and Daegu, from Jan. 22-24.
Launched in 1995 under the musical direction of Hyo Kang, a renowned professor at the Juilliard School, the New York-based group was immediately praised as a ``top-notch conductor-less string orchestra'' by the Washington Post.
Sejong is uniquely comprised of today's leading talent, bringing the best young soloists from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Singapore, Bulgaria, Korea and the United States. The musicians have given over 330 critically acclaimed performances in major music capitals in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The group was appointed ensemble-in-residence at the Aspen Music Festival in 1997 and was recently seen in Korea at the Great Mountains Music Festival & School last summer.
The soloists are much-loved for their cohesive sound and electrifying verve in reviving string orchestral works as well as solo and chamber repertoires. The core program for the tour includes: Sarasate's ``Navarra,'' Boccherini's ``Adagio and Allegro for Cello and String Orchestra,'' Janacek's ``Suite for Strings,'' Bruch's ``Romance for Viola'' Shostakovich's ``Waltz'' and Dvorak's ``Waltz Op. 54 No. 1.''
This year, the 17 violinists, violists, cellists and bassist will take the stage with star violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill and violinist Yura Lee, who each have a sizeable fan base in Korea.
Four guest performers will join the string group for the horn and oboe parts of Mozart's ``Sinfonia Concertante in E flat major, K. 364.''
The concert tonight will take place at 8 p.m. at Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex, in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, near northern Seoul. Get off at Jeongbalsan station, which is three stops away from Daehwa, the west end of subway line 3. Tickets cost 20,000-60,000 won. Visit www.artgy.or.kr or call 1577-7766.
At 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, the group will perform at Sori Arts Center of Jeollabuk-do in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. Tickets cost 20,000-50,000 won. Visit www.sori21.co.kr or call (063) 270-8000.
Last but not least at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, the Sejong Soloists will wrap up their tour at Suseong Artpia in Daegu. Tickets cost 30,000-50,000 won. Visit www.ssartpia.or.kr or call (053) 666-3300.