Explore Something New at Classical Concerts
Sung Shi-yeon will conduct the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Thursday in the first of the ``Explorer’’ series, which highlights pieces that are rarely performed here such as Schubert’s ``Unfinished” Symphony. / Courtesy of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Cellist Yang Sung-won once told The Korea Times that musical compositions are only made complete the moment they are performed. Indeed, the typical classical concert may feature centuries-old scores but live performances always make room for something new and different.
The Seoul music scene offers exciting programs this month, including rarely performed classics, new contemporary works and a debut performance.
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra invites concertgoers to discover masterpieces that are seldom played here through its ``Explorer’’ series. On Thursday at Seoul Arts Center, the orchestra’s assistant conductor, Sung Shi-yeon, will helm the first concert featuring Schubert’s ``Unfinished’’ Symphony No. 8 in B minor.
The symphony is often considered ``incomplete’’ since Schubert wrote only two movements even though he composed it six years prior to his death. It may be short but is nevertheless a tour de force.
The upcoming concert will also feature Mahler’s ``Das Lied von der Erde’’ (The Song of the Earth). The monumental symphony for orchestra and voice is a timely choice for the 150th anniversary of the birth of the composer as well as the centennial of his death. Fans can look forward to the fact that rising ``maestra’’ Sung was a winner of the Mahler conducting competition. She will lead the ensemble opposite mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova and tenor Simon O’Neill, who are both known for their weighty interpretations of Mahler and Wagner.
On Feb. 25, Stefan Asbury, who received rave reviews for his conduction of Bartok’s ``The Miraculous Mandarin’’ with the orchestra, will return. He will helm the group for Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 ``Leningrad,’’ which has become a symbolic opposition to tyranny. The first three movements were written during the initial siege of Leningrad. The Seoul Philharmonic’s principal cellist, Joo Yeon-sun, will appear as soloist for Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2.
Tickets cost 10,000 to 50,000 won for both concerts. Call (02) 3700-6300.
What makes classical music so enduring is the fact that one master after another has contributed works of genius, century after century. No other musical genre has enjoyed such continuous growth, and the relay continues with the rise of new artists.
On Feb. 8 at the Recital Hall of Seoul Arts Center, the Korean Composers Association will host the Korean Music Expo. The event will showcase some of the latest chamber works written by contemporary Korean composers Shin Su-jeong and Kim Ji-hyang.
Shin, who studied at the Mozarteum in Austria, will premiere her latest string quartet piece Streichquartett No. 3. Also to be featured is something with an Eastern inspiration, ``Choet,’’ a piece written in 2006 for the Chinese reed instrument ``sheng’’ and the Korean zither ``gayageum.’’
Kim, whose works have been performed in Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada, will present various pieces, including those for the guitar, ``An Allegory of Time’’ and ``Lied der Mignon.’’
All tickets cost 10,000 won. Call (02) 586-0945.
The Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra has been noted for regularly introducing new artists through its concerts. On Feb. 11 at the Bucheon Civic Center, Gyeonggi Province, newcomer Choi Hyuk-jae, who has recently returned after studying in Austria, will conduct Schubert’s Symphony No. 5 in B major and Mass No. 6 in E major. The young conductor is noted for his precise yet organic technique.
All tickets cost 10,000 won. Call (032) 625-8330.