By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Following 2007's historic marathon of Beethoven's complete piano sonatas, maestro pianist Paik Kun-woo brings another unique project ― one featuring four grand pianos in concert with three of South Korea's hottest young artists, Kim Sun-wook, Kim Tae-kyung and Kim Jun-hee.
The idea for a concert featuring pieces for eight hands was conceived a few years ago, Paik told reporters Monday in Seoul. ``During (Franz) Liszt's time, renowned pianists came together for a concert featuring multiple pianos. I wondered how it would be to do something similar here, today,'' he said.
Paik and the three Kims will alternate the parts of first, second, third and fourth pianos for Milhaud's ``Paris'' Suite for Four Pianos and Wagner's ``Overture zu Tannhauser'' transcribed for eight hands. Also included are Ravel's ``Bolero'' transcribed for the four instruments and Rachmaninov's ``Symphonic Dances,'' Op. 45. ``The multiple pianos will create grand sounds, and harmonize and resound like the glimmerings of twilight,'' said the maestro.
While the performance itself is a one of a kind event, however, the pianist noted the significance of playing with young artists. ``If I think about it, my senior Han Dong-il inspired me. When I was going through hard times and loneliness in a foreign place, he was always there for me,'' said the 62-year-old, who, with the elder pianist Han, was one of the first Korean musicians to debut overseas.
``In the past, Korean musicians had to build their careers on their own, but young musicians these days are blessed with well-trained local teachers,'' he said. `` I am very proud of this new generation.'' Paik saw the younger artists perform in Paris, where he is currently based. ``They are all extremely talented, and cherish one another very much,'' he said.
The three Kims are friends from the Korean National University of Arts. All barely past their teens, they are seen as representing the new generation of pure, ``domestically-bred'' musicians who have championed international events without having studied in the West.
``As pianists, we rarely have a chance to play with others, apart from concertos,'' said Sun-wook, 21. ``We all have such different styles, and I'm really excited for this chamber project,'' said the eldest Tae-hyung, 23. ``(Sun-wook and Jun-hee) are both younger than me, but they stimulate me.'' Paik said the collaborative effort would be a ``creative challenge'' that necessitates dialogue.
The three said it was a great honor to play alongside the maestro, and that it would be ``fun and exciting'' to mix chemistries. It would, moreover, they agreed, an occasion to learn musical secrets from Paik. Before conversing through piano keys, the young artists took the opportunity to discuss some of their latest worries. When asked by Tae-hyung, who is now studying in Germany, about how to better understand the composer's intentions, Paik said it was important to know the history and period music, and furthermore, to obtain the original edition of sheet music. ``In the end, the answer lies in the composition itself. I always discover something new when I revisit a piece,'' he said.
The youngest, 19-year-old Jun-hee, asked how young artists could mature without being distracted by fame and unhealthy ambitions. ``We cannot exist outside reality; music itself is difficult but it's also tricky to balance worldly affairs. But what must never be compromised is faith in music… They say the creative process is not an act of man but of god. If you are faithful to your art, then everything else will figure out on their own,'' he said.
Meanwhile, Kim, who has recently moved to London, posed a question about handling stress over the ever-expanding repertoire. ``No matter how difficult it is, we have the capacity to overcome it. The struggles continue throughout life. With experience, it becomes a little easier, but a new challenge will always come along,'' said Paik.
The maestro looked back to his own youth. ``I wasn't able to decide whether I wanted to be a pianist until my early 20s. I doubted that I could contribute as a pianist, because there were already so many great pianists and I was interested in other things. But everything eventually led to music,'' he said. ``Worrying will feed growth,'' he told the young pianists.
The group will tour Korea beginning with Seoul Arts Center May 10-11 and continue on to Masan, South Gyeongsang Provice, May 13; Daegu, May 14 and Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, May 15. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 100,000 won. Call (02) 318-4301.