Asia Philharmonic, EU Orchestra Coming to Korea
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Concertgoers will be able to taste the best of East and West this summer, with the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra concert at the end of July and the European Union Youth Orchestra in August.
East Asian Stars & Asia Philharmonic
Classical music icons of South Korea, China and Japan will convene for the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra's concerts in Incheon July 29 and the following day in Seoul.
The highlight of the program is Beethoven's Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C Major (Op. 56). Featured soloists are South Korea's feted conductor and pianist Chung Myung-whun; Japan's violinist Daishin Kashimoto, who plays in chamber groups alongside artists such as Yuri Bashmet; and Chinese cellist Wang Jian, a recording artist for Deutsche Grammophon.
The orchestra itself brings together the most talented musicians from Asia and the Asian Diaspora, such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's concertmaster Robert Chen and the Philadelphia Orchestra's principal violinist Anna Marie Ahn Peterson.
The birth of the festival orchestra can be traced back to 1995, when maestro Chung was invited to conduct a show for the opening of the Tokyo International Forum. The conductor saw this as a way to manifest his longtime dream of launching a pan-Asia ensemble, and the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra was officially launched two years later. Now, their concerts bring together artist from 31 different orchestras.
Tickets for the Incheon Multiple Cultural Arts Complex cost 30,000-50,000 won and those for Seoul Arts Center cost 30,000-100,000 won. Call (02) 518-7343.
Vladimir Ashkenazy and Lim Dong-hyek
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the EU Youth Orchestra (EUYO) will perform in Korea for the first time Aug. 27 at Seoul Arts Center.
Founded in 1978, EUYO brings together the most gifted young musicians from 25 member states. The youth orchestra is reputed for its educational ideals, with music conquering cultural and religious differences.
It is a premier ensemble that has been led by the likes of music legends Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein and Herbert von Karajan. Celebrated Russian pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy, who is known for his born musicality, technical virtuosity and keen interpretation, will take the baton.
The program features Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with South Korean pianist Lim Dong-hyek, who won the 13th Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition with this very piece. The 24-year-old is one of the most gifted and popular artists of his generation who was giving recitals attended by the Russian president at age 10.
Tickets cost 30,000-150,000 won. Call (02) 751-9606. Seoul Arts Center is located near exit 5 of Nambu Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3.