By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
The piano greats of the 20th century ― Vladimir Horowitz, Glen Gould and Artur Rubinstein _ have passed away, but Martha Argerich still reigns in this millennium. Additionally, the late composer Schumann may be long gone but he continues to breathe by our side as Maestro Chung Myung-whun conjures his scores to life.
The two master artists showcased their dynamic interplay here two years ago and the duo will reunite onstage, Friday, at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Seoul.
Concertgoers were delighted earlier this year when Chung set aside his baton to take his place at the piano, to accompany the voice of bass Youn Kwang-chul. This time he will sit side-by-side with Argerich for Brahms’ Hungarian Dances Nos. 2, 4 and 5 for piano for four hands.
Fans can look forward to new history in the making, as the piece allows much room for spontaneity. ``I don’t remember when, but I first met Argerich in Los Angeles. She has the free spirit of a gypsy, and is very generous,’’ Chung once said about his fellow artist.
The conductor will then reassume his place at the helm of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra for Schumann’s Piano Concerto. The program choice is a timely one, for the 200th anniversary of the birth of the composer. Schumann has created many piano compositions that have become repertoire staples, but the concerto is particularly special in that his wife Clara Schumann premiered it.
Argerich and Chung have already played the piece together ― back in 2001 ― with Chung conducting the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. The live recording was released by Deutsche Grammophon. It is a piece that Argerich continues to revisit time after time, and wows the crowd on each occasion with her charismatic virtuosity.
The evening will wrap up with Tchaikovsky’s ``Pathetique’’ Symphony No. 6.
Tickets cost from 60,000 won to 150,000 won. Call (02) 518-7343.