Pianist Lim Dong-hyek to perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in Seoul

Pianist Lim Dong-hyek will perform one of the most beloved works in the piano repertoire when he performs Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 under the baton of creative conductor Adriel Kim this November.

Having scaled back his recent concert appearances, Lim will perform the concerto for the first time in four years, making the occasion a particularly meaningful encounter with audiences.

The concert marks the first collaboration between Lim and Orchestra The Original. Audiences will be watching to see how Lim’s delicate touch and Kim’s meticulous conducting combine to create a distinctive musical dialogue.

At the heart of the program is Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Written after the composer overcame a period of profound despair and regained his creative confidence, the work has remained a favorite among audiences for its lyrical melodies and sweeping emotions. Lim’s return to the concerto after four years adds another layer of anticipation, with listeners eager to hear how his interpretation has evolved over time. The concert’s title, “Reboot,” further underscores the significance of the music.

Kim will also lead the orchestra through a program spanning concerto repertoire, symphonic works and contemporary compositions. Following his collaboration with Lim, he will conduct Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, bringing the orchestra’s rich ensemble sound and the work’s dramatic narrative to the fore.

One of Dvořák’s three major late-period symphonies, Symphony No. 7 is distinguished by its dark emotional intensity and tightly woven musical structure. Hearing how Kim navigates its tension and lyricism is expected to be another highlight of the evening.

The concert will also feature a world premiere. "Vanishing Silence," a newly commissioned work by Thai composer Narong Prangcharoen, will be performed for the first time by Orchestra The Original. By performing a contemporary composition alongside established masterpieces, the program seeks to highlight both the enduring appeal and the evolving landscape of classical music.

From Lim’s revisit of Rachmaninoff and Kim’s interpretation of Dvořák to the unveiling of a newly commissioned work, the concert promises an opportunity to experience familiar masterpieces from a fresh perspective while also witnessing the birth of a new musical creation.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.