Violinist Kim Min Honored in Italy
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Violinist Kim Min received the ``Una Vita per la Musica'' (A Life of Music) certificate and medal from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the Ascoli Piceno Festival in Italy, Sunday, becoming the first South Korean recipient of the honor.
The festival presents the prestigious award to the Musician of the Year on behalf of the head of state. Kim accepted the honor from Gaetano Rinaldi, president of the Asocoli Peceno Festival.
The annual chamber music event features premier musicians and ensembles in the scenic Marche region.
As music director of the Korean Chamber Orchestra, Kim led the ensemble in five successful performances through Monday in Italy, at the Carl Orff Festival in addition to the Ascoli Piceno.
The 67-year-old appeared earlier this year on the jury of the 2009 Queen Elisabeth Competition, one of the most esteemed music events in the world.
Kim is an honorary professor at his alma mater, the College of Music, Seoul National University.
He is also known for serving, for the first time in the university's history, three terms as dean of the college.
A former music director of the Korean Sympohony Orchestra, he now is now music director of the Isangyun Ensemble Seoul, in addition to the Korean Chamber Orchestra.
The Kim-led Korean Chamber Orchestra will hold its 125th subscription concert Oct. 6 at 8 p.m., Seoul Arts Center, southern Seoul.
Pianists Rudolf Meister and Lee Ok-hi will play Mozart's Concerto in Eb major for Two Pianos and Orchestra, K. 365. Violinist Kim Sung-hae will appear as soloist for the Korean premiere of F. Kreisler's Violin Concerto in C major. The program also features the Korean premiere of German composer Hans Peter Dott's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.
Tickets cost from 10,000 won to 100,000 won. Student discounts are available. Call (02) 592-5728.