Concerts Celebrate Korea-Russia Relations
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Top South Korean classical artists took the stage in Moscow last Tuesday as part of a pre-celebration for next year's 20th anniversary of Korea-Russia relations. Russia's foremost musicians will, in turn, perform in Seoul next month during the event organized by the culture ministries of the two countries.
The concert last week took place in Svetlanov Hall, Moscow International House of Music. Popular pianist Lim Dong-hyek, who studied in Russia for 10 years, appeared opposite the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia, led by Mark Gorenstein. He chose to play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, the piece that won him an award at the 13th Tchaikovsky Piano Competition.
Rising young violinist Yu Sulki also presented a Russian classic, Glazunov's violin concerto.
Grammy Award-nominated soprano Im Sun-hae sang the two operatic arias that Russians are said to love the most. Also featured in the program was the late Korean-German composer Isang Yun's "Traditional Costume."
On Nov. 15, Russian musicians will perform with the Korean Symphony Orchestra at Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex, Gyeonggi Province. Conductor Maxim Fedotov, who is known as "the Russian Paganini," will wield the baton.
Pianist Alexander Lubyantsev will appear as soloist for Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1. The young artist is well known in Korea for winning the bronze at the 13th Tchaikovsky competition.
Mezzo-soprano Olesya Petrova will sing "Joan's Aria" from Tchaikovsky's "The Maid of Orlans," among others. Joined by celebrated Korean tenor Kang Yosep, she will also sing Choi Young-sub's "Mt. Geumgang," which Placido Domingo sings on his Korea tours. Cellist Alexander Bouzlov will be featured as soloist in Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33.
Before Korea-Russia bilateral relations were established in 1990, it was difficult for Korean nationals to enter music events in Russia. Maestro Chung Myung-whun became the first-ever Korean artist to win the Tchaikovsky competition in 1974, while esteemed violinist Lee Sung-ju had to obtain American citizenship in order to compete (and eventually win an award) at the competition in 1978.
All tickets for the upcoming concert in Goyang cost 10,000 won. Call (02) 2061-6611.