By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
The Seoul Arts Center (SAC), a landmark on the domestic arts and culture scene, marks its 20th anniversary with a series of concerts later this week ― a special performance with soprano Shin Young-ok and pianist Kim Sun-wook, Friday and Saturday; followed by the first of the Korean World Star Series with conductor Chung Myung-whun, Sunday.
This year, Seoul Arts Center has prepared 34 concerts and exhibitions titled ``Beautiful Life! With SAC'' to celebrate 20 years of arts and music. Having opened its doors Feb. 15, 1988, SAC celebrates its birthday Friday with the first of the ``Beautiful Life'' program, an invitational concert featuring top musical talent.
Conductor Kim Hong-je will lead the KBS Symphony Orchestra, one of Korea's oldest and celebrated ensembles, in playing Elgar's ``Pomp and Circumstance'' and Stravinsky's ``L'Oiseau de Feu.''
Born in Japan, Kim is a leading musician on the Japanese classical music scene and is a disciple of maestros such as Seiji Ozawa. Having also studied in Germany with the world-renown Korean-German composer Isang Yun, he is noted for premiering Yun's music in Japan with leading orchestras.
Joining Kim onstage are soprano Shin Young-ok, a leading lady of the New York Metropolitan Opera, and star pianist Kim Sun-wook.
A winner of the 1990 Metropolitan National Council Auditions, Shin has been a regular on the world stage in operas, recitals and festivals, appearing with Luciano Pavarotti in New York and Jose Carreras in Seoul. The soprano will dazzle audiences with her ability to hit high notes in operatic arias such as ``The Bell Song'' from Delibe's ``Lakme.''
SAC's newly appointed public relations envoy Kim Sun-wook will also turn 20 this year. He has crowned his success in a string of international piano competitions, including the 2004 Ettlingen, the 2005 Clara Haskil and the 2006 Leeds as Asia's first and the world's youngest winner at the age of 18.
Last year he was one of the busiest pianists, performing extensively in Korea and Europe with major orchestras. For the upcoming concert Kim will present an addition to his repertoire, Rachmaninov's Piano Concert No. 2. It will also be one of his rare appearances on the local stage this year.
The Friday concert is invitation only. Tickets for Saturday cost 40,000-100,000 won. Call (02) 580-1300.
Another big project SAC has prepared this year is the Korean World Star series, which invites internationally renowned musicians of Korean heritage: conductor Chung Myung-whun, soprano Sumi Jo and violinist Sarah Chang.
The first of the series this Sunday invites Chung to take the baton for Mahler's 9th Symphony with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.
As principal conductor and music director of the Seoul Philharmonic, Chung introduced the Mahler Symphonies as part of the Korean troupe's new and ambitious repertoire.
He earned rave reviews from the French press when he revived the entire Symphonies Nos. 1-10 with the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra.
Chung first made a name as a brilliant concert pianist, debuting with the Seoul Philharmonic at the age of seven and winning the second prize at the 1974 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow. He is also part of the famous Chung Trio with his sisters, cellist Myung-wha and violinist Kyung-wha.
The maestro has conducted virtually all the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic. He has served as music director of several ensembles, and during his tenure with the Opera-Paris-Bastille was particularly praised for interpreting the complex music of Olivier Messiaen. The French composer himself dedicated his last piece ``Concert a Quatre'' to Chung, entrusting him with its 1994 world premiere.
Accompanying Chung onstage is pianist Kim Dae-jin for Mozart's Piano Concert No. 23. Kim actually received lessons from maestro Chung in his youth, and is noted by the local press as ``the most famous pianist in Korea.'' A graduate of the Juilliard School, Kim made a stellar New York debut and went on to play in major concert halls across North America, Europe and Asia.
Currently a professor at the Korean National University of Arts, the pianist is also well known as a devoted teacher. His disciples include pianist Kim Sun-wook.
Tickets cost 30,000-100,000 won. Call (02) 580-1300 for more information.
Coloratura soprano Sumi Jo will sing world folk music in the Second Korean World Star Series, May 23. The third installment on June 4 will showcase violinist Sarah Chang's latest project with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Vivaldi's ``The Four Seasons.''
The Seoul Arts Center is located in southern Seoul near Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3. Visit SAC's Web site www.sac.or.kr/eng (English) for more information.