By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Child prodigy-turned-young virtuoso cellist Chang Han-na is returning to local fans with a new album that carries the works of Venetian Baroque music composer Vivaldi and also a tour with the London Chamber Orchestra.
``Vivaldi was the first artist to make cello concertos during a time when the instrument was still considered only as an accompaniment instrument. In that I thank him and it made me want to go back to the start of cello music. There are actually about 30 cello concertos done by Vivaldi, but they are rarely put on stage,'' Chang said during an interview session Monday.
The 25-year-old seemed pleased to be back home, and was giggling as she talked about her new album and upcoming concert.
``I wanted to understand how he expressed his feelings through his music, instead of working on already well-known classics like `The Four Seasons,''' she added.
Her album ``Han-na Chang Cello Concertos Vivaldi'' was recorded with the famed orchestra and maestro Christopher Warren-Green, and is the first time for Chang to record an album that only carries Baroque music.
Her plans for the new album took place three years ago, but simply finding all of the master's music notes took almost a year.
``I wanted to get my hands on everything. When I finally did, I listened to all of them and picked my personal favorites,'' she said.
While some artists, like Russian composer Stravinsky, point out that Vivaldi's works are all similar, Chang said that it was his innovative and creative mind that captivated her.
``He is known to be one of the great composers who was not afraid to take challenges and come up with something different,'' said Chang, adding that considering the era he lived in, his music was quite shocking.
``The composer is the only one who can set the boundaries of a certain instrument. Vivaldi did not restrain the cello as an accompaniment instrument. His music is different with high notes and emotions and he was great in expressing his own emotions through music,'' she said.
The concert, which will be the start of an international tour, will be the perfect opportunity to listen to Chang playing Vivaldi's Cello Concerto with the celebrated orchestra.
Chang also made headlines last year for her ambitious journey into the world of conducting, and she admitted that it indeed helped her in so many ways ever since.
``I get to think about the sounds more frequently. When playing the cello, I tend to think what the composer had in mind, but conducting means bringing all the different colors of the orchestra into one. I think this is real art, something that happens after continuous thinking and studying. The key is to be able to bring out the best of someone else's creation. I feel great responsibility in that, but it's still great fun,'' she said smiling.
Chang will tour around the country with the London Chamber Orchestra Nov. 3-9. She will visit Gumi, Tongyeong, Seongnam Uijeongbu and Seoul. Tickets cost from 40,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information, call 1577-5266 (Korean).