Ensemble Ditto to Debut in Japan
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill, member of the Seoul-based classical music ensemble Ditto, met with Japanese reporters in Tokyo, Tuesday, ahead of its Japan tour.
The all-male chamber group will give concerts June 28 and 29 in Tokyo and Osaka, respectively.
Joined by popular young Japanese violinist Goto Ryu, who performed with Ditto in Seoul last summer, O’Neill spoke to the local press, including Asahi TV.
``I’m very honored and excited to come to Japan in June. And last year Ryu came to Seoul and impressed the Korean audiences; they went crazy for him,’’ said O’Neill, in a video clip of the press event released by Credia.
Goto, who is known as the brother of violin virtuoso Midori, visited Korea for the first time in 2009 to play with Ditto. He said he was deeply impressed by the Korean audience’s enthusiasm for Ditto’s music, and was inspired to introduce the group to Japan. Japanese agency E-Plus is organizing the performances.
The two played Handel-Halvorsen’s ``Passacaglia’’ and also screened the music video from Ditto’s third season.
Ditto was launched in 2007 and has since been something of a phenomenon in Korea, performing to sold-out audiences across the country.
The ensemble is comprised of core members of Korean descent _ O'Neill, violinists Johnny Lee and Stefan Jackiw, and cellist Patrick Jee.
They have been joined by guest artists, including cellist Michael Nicolas, and pianists Ji-Yong and Lim Dong-hyek. Double bassist Daxun Zhang has also performed with Ditto.
O’Neill, who assumed the position of music director last year, has appeared in the hit television series ``Beethoven,’’ along with Lim, and has published an essay on classical music. He will give a solo recital at Seoul Arts Center on March 5. Call 1577-5266 for more information.
Ticket sales for the Japan concerts will begin on Feb. 28. Visit https://eplus.jp/ditto.
For more information about Ditto, visit www.yourditto.co.kr