Sarah Chang returns to Seoul audience after 4 years

Sarah Chang speaks during a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center in Seoul, Monday, a day before the hall's 30th anniversary concert. / Courtesy of SAC

• Published Feb 12, 2018 4:06 PM KST
• Updated Feb 12, 2018 4:06 PM KST

By Yun Suh-young

Violin virtuoso Sarah Chang returns after four years to Seoul for a concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of Seoul Arts Center (SAC) today.

The concert hall which has harnessed the development of arts over the last three decades in Korea celebrates its annual anniversary which falls on Feb. 15, but as a special one this year as it gathers artists who have grown together with the SAC. Due to the Lunar New Year holiday which begins Feb. 15, however, this year's concert was moved up to Feb. 13.

The most notable artist is Sarah Chang, 37, who had her debut performance in 1989 at the SAC at age nine. The concert hall was established in 1988.

"I remember being nine and holding my first performance here. I feel honored to be invited to celebrate its important anniversaries such as the 20th, 25th and now the 30th. This time, it won't be concerto, but chamber music. I'll be performing pieces such as Vivaldi's Four Seasons with 17 soloists on stage. It's hard work, but very fun so it's not tiring at all," she said during a press conference held Monday, a day before the concert. The performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. today. The repertoire also includes Vitali's Chaconne and Piazzolla's Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.

"I chose these pieces because I wanted it to be different this time. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I've performed with orchestras and conductors but this time the focus is on chamber music. There's no conductor. I wanted to enjoy the music and be satisfied with it. This is a small group but with first-class musicians. It's like a solo ensemble," Chang said.

"I tried to find a good balance with music I love. Vitali's Chaconne is baroque and Vivaldi's Four Seasons is pure and popular. The variation of the Four Seasons by Piazzolla is beautiful and fun and very tango-inspired. It's sexy but also elegant."

Chang said she is learning more from the 17 soloists she is performing with, rather than the other way around.

"I don't think I've performed with such an amazing, incredible group like this before. It feels weird that they keep saying they grew up watching my performance and learning from me, when I'm not that old myself," she said chuckling.

Chang says she feels comfortable whenever she returns to perform at SAC because it "feels like home."

"It's where I grew up performing. It's a hall that makes me feel home when I come to Korea, although I don't come here every year. I know the acoustics of the hall which takes time to explore. I love the acoustics of SAC's hall. It's vibrant and warm. It's not like some cold and unwelcoming halls I've experienced elsewhere. It's different from the color, the wood, and the sound that echoes when I tune my strings. The sound is like a cushion and gives a good feeling," she said.

"It also has a great backstage which is very considerate of artists. That's really important."

Her memories of her debut at the hall are faint but she does remember interesting episodes.

"It was right after my performance with New York Philharmonic. I remember my dress being very tight (only after a month!) because I was growing fast at that age. I remember my mom and grandma being stressed over finding a new dress. I also remember feeling that the concert hall was large. Oh, I also remember greeting an old grandpa which turned out to be then-President Roh Tae-woo. I didn't know who he was because I was born and raised in the U.S. but everyone made a big deal out of his attendance."

Chang has been away for a while from Seoul stages. When asked why she hasn't returned for years, she said she has been busy.

"I also think it's important to perform for a reason, instead of performing for the sake of performing. I want to do meaningful performances and projects with people I want to work with, instead of playing Tchaikovsky a thousand times or Brahms a thousand times," she said.

"So instead of coming in every year, I decided to come for a good occasion -- like this one which is the 30th anniversary of SAC. I'm selective these days in choosing repertoires and partners. I need time to grow as a musician, learn new pieces and build new relationships with younger conductors. It's draining to do 120 performances a year."

Regarding a question about the #MeToo movement in the artistic world, Chang said she has seen and heard a lot.

"I haven't experienced it myself, but I've seen many instances. When I was young, my parents, teachers, and managers used to be very protective of me and never left me alone. At the time, I didn't understand and wondered why they would not leave me alone and follow me around all the time. Now I understand why. I feel very lucky and thankful to my team," she said.

"In the end, we all want to make great music on stage. We all want respect as human beings and need basic human rights. Some people will be outspoken about this through public platforms; others will be quiet but emphasize it strongly through music."