Maestros Join Musicians of Tomorrow
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
The transforming power of music is incontestable, and this is demonstrated by the dedication of world-renowned maestros to inspire young musicians. Conductor Chung Myung-whun who has long been invested in encouraging marginalized children with music, gives another charity concert with the Boystown Symphony Orchestra (BSO), while Vladimir Ashkenazy celebrates the 30th anniversary of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO).
Chung Family's Love for NK Children
The Chung trio ― with pianist/conductor Myung-whun, cellist Myung-wha and Myung-whun's son Min ``replacing'' violinist Kyung-wha ― will join the Boystown Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for its 18th charity concert, Monday in Seoul and Tuesday in Busan. The Seoul National University Medical School Orchestra will join the group for tonight's performance at the National Museum of Korea.
Proceeds will go to Okedongmu, a civil organization co-headed by Myung-whun dedicated to helping North and South Korean children, including the construction of a children's hospital due to start in October.
The concert will feature Beethoven's Triple Concerto in C Major for Violin, Cello and Piano, Op. 56. Myung-whun, who first made his name as a pianist, recently showcased this piece in Korea for the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra concerts with celebrated Chinese cellist Wang Jian and Japanese virtuoso violinist Daishin Kashimoto. This time, his 24-year-old son Min will take the baton while his sister Myung-wha appears for the cello and Dennis Kim, principal violinist in the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, assumes the violin part.
Min made his conducting debut last year with the BSO. Founded in 1979 as a small orphanage ensemble, the BSO lacked decent instruments and rehearsal space but grew to champion national youth music competitions. Over the years, it has produced several professional musicians who joined city orchestras. Today 58 middle and high school students spend up to eight hours a day during summer vacation to rehearse for the charity event, the most important of some 30 concerts they give each year.
For the concert tonight, maestro Chung will conduct the amateur orchestra of Seoul National University Medical School for Brahms's Symphony No. 1. Tuesday in Busan, the BSO will perform Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 ``From the New World.''
The concert will take place at Theater Yong, the National Museum of Korea. Call (02) 743-7941~2. The concert Tuesday will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the grand hall of Busan Citizen's Hall. Call (051) 256-3901.
Ashkenazy Leads EU Children
Tuesday, the EU Youth Orchestra (EUYO) will give its 30th anniversary concert with maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy in Seoul, Wednesday. The ensemble brings together 140 young artists from 27 countries and boasts a history of collaborating with conducting greats like Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein and Herbert von Karajan.
The EUYO was created to inspire children from different social, cultural and religious backgrounds. ``With EUYO, I greatly enjoy their readiness to do everything. I feel it is very important to have contact with young musicians, to share one's experience and view of music with them, hopefully expanding their horizon and views of music,'' said Ashkenazy in an email interview with local press.
The esteemed pianist-turned-conductor noted the importance of cultural exchange in his own growth. ``My destiny gave me the opportunity of being exposed to the best the world can offer in music across different cultures and I have tried to absorb everything. I don't consider myself a product of any particular culture; I am indebted to many cultures, many musicians, many countries. Today, the obvious interchange of cultures have brought together and benefited many young people,'' he said.
South Korean pianist Lim Dong-hyek will appear as soloist for Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. The conductor said he was ``delighted that a young pianist will be working with a young orchestra.''
A winner of the 2007 International Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow, the 24-year-old pianist spoke fondly of the concerto piece. ``While living in Russia for 10 years the concerto was naturally a part of my repertoire and I played it numerous times,'' said Lim, an EMI-recording artist who currently studies at the New York Juilliard School with Emanuel Ax.
Also featured in the Russian program are Rachmaninov's Vocalise in E minor, Op. 34, No. 14 and Rimsky-Korsakov's dreamy Scheherazade, Op. 35. The concert begins 8 p.m. at Seoul Arts Center. Tickets cost 30,000-150,000 won. Call (02) 751-9606.