By Lee Hyo-won
Staff reporter
``In beautiful May, when the buds sprang, love sprang up in my heart; in beautiful May, when the birds all sang, I told you my suffering and longing.''
``The Beautiful Month of May'' is the opening piece in ``The Poet's Love,'' the most beloved song cycle of Robert Schumann, inspired by Heinrich Heine's poems. The spring season is in full bloom, and romantics can indulge in German Romanticism through Schumann-themed chamber concerts this month.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the composer, who was born in 1810 in Saxony, Germany. His big birthday here has been slightly eclipsed by the bicentennial of yet another maestro, ``poet of the piano'' Frederic Chopin. But it is interesting to note that Schumann, who, in addition to writing pieces of music that have become staples of the Western classical music canon, was also a writer/publisher of a music magazine called ``Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik (New Journal for Music),'' and he was one of the first to spread the word about Chopin's exceptional talent.
Living legend Martha Argerich and rising star Kim Sun-wook recently showcased Schumann's famous piano concerto which was premiered by his wife Clara, one of the most celebrated pianists of her day alongside such greats as Franz Liszt. Fans can look forward to more of Schumann.
Some of the country's top musicians will gather for the Schumann Chamber Music Festival which kicks off Tuesday evening at Hoam Art Hall, downtown Seoul. Yoon Chul-hee, the esteemed pianist and Kookmin University professor, has just completed his cycle of concerts on Chopin and will now lead the five-part concert series which continues through October.
Joining in the festivities are Hung-Wei Huang, principal violist of the Seoul Philharmonic, and his fellow orchestra members, principal clarinetist Jerry Jae-il Chae and assistant principal cellist Lee Jung-ran; violinist Bae Ik-hwan, who is a professor at Indiana University; Hwaum Chamber Orchestra's violinists Im Yun-mi, Dennis Kim, Choi Yun-jae, Bae Sang-eun and Seo Su-min; cellist Park Sang-min and hornist Lee Seok-jun, who both teach at the Korea University of Arts; tenor-Yonsei University professor Choi Seung-tae and soprano Kim Sun-jung.
The festival begins with a performance titled ``1842,'' indicating the year when, at age 32, the composer created a considerable amount of chamber music. The program features String Quartet in A major, Op. 41-3. On May 20, tune into pieces that reflect Schumann's dedication, including ``Widmung'' (Dedication), a song he wrote for his wife and which Liszt later arranged for the piano.
The series will continue with three more shows in August, September and October, which will highlight viola pieces and Schumann's romance with Clara (featuring the earlier mentioned song cycle ``The Poet's Love''). The opening concert is by invitation only. Tickets for the other performances cost from 30,000 to 70,000 won. Call (02) 780-5054.
On May 24, mezzo soprano Jung Hyuna will offer an evening of flowery vocal music in a concert titled ``Blumenlieder'' (Flower song) at Sejong Chamber Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Seoul.
Jung, has studied lieds and oratorios in Germany, and now teaches and performs in major halls in Korea. She will sing eight songs by Schumann befitting the spring season including ``From the Easterly Rose,'' ``Jasmine Bush'' and ``The Lotus Flower.'' The program also includes lieds or art songs by Mendelssohn, Richard Strauss and Wolf.