By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Maestro pianist Paik Kun-woo will help spread the classical music scene, with a recital Thursday evening at Ulju Culture & Arts Center in Ulsan.
As much as Ulsan is not a classical music hotspot in Korea, the performance is expected to be a special treat for local fans. It is part of the art center’s 2010 special concert series.
The artist, who has been hailed as ``the poet of the piano,’’ will appropriately play pieces by ``the elder poet’’ Chopin, in time for the 200th anniversary of his birth. Pieces to be played are piano recitalists’ favorites, Variations on Mozart’s ``La ci darem la mano,’’ Op. 2 and Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise, Op. 22.
Also included in the program are Ravel’s ``Jeux d’Eau,’’ a masterpiece from the French composer’s early period requiring technical virtuosity and precision, and Sonatine for Piano, Op. 40, which is noted for its colorful harmony and tones.
The evening will wrap up with Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24.
Paik gained international prominence after winning the 1967 Naumburg and 1969 Leventritt Piano Competitions. He has since performed with major orchestras and has won recognition such as the Diaposon d’Or for his recordings. He is a recording artist for the Decca label and has served on the jury at the 2007 Tchaikovsky competition.
All tickets cost 30,000 won. Call (052) 248-3274.
Furthermore, the pianist will appear next month with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra in a Korea concert debut.
Founded in 1929, the orchestra grew under the wing of Eliahu Inbal into an internationally recognized music ensemble. It is known for covering an extensive repertoire ranging from Baroque to modern classical music, and is particularly noted for making the first ever digital recording of Mahler’s complete symphonies.
In the upcoming performance on May 29 at Seoul Arts Center, Paavo Yarvi, the ensemble’s newly appointed music director, will conduct Dvorak’s ``New World’’ Symphony No. 9. The conductor’s interpretation of the piece will particularly appeal to fans who were disappointed when the Yarvi-led Cincinnati Symphony’s planned visit last year got cancelled.
Classical music aficionados can look forward to Paik performing Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 with the orchestra ― the 64-year-old’s live DVD recording of the piece with the Torino RAI Orchestra in 2005 is considered a must-have among collectors not only in Korea but also Japan.
Tickets cost from 50,000 to 200,000 won. Call (02) 599-5743.