Korean premiere of 'Parsifal'By Do Je-haeA major theme in the world of classical music next year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of composers Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi.The Korea National Opera (KNO) will stage some of the most significant works of the two opera masters in its upcoming season.In particular, the company will stage the Korean premiere of “Parsifal,” the last of Wagner’s work, in October 2013.“’Parsifal’ is the biggest challenge for us next year. The production will show our artistic maturity,” KNO Executive Director Kim Eui-joon said during a recent press conference in Seoul.”The five-hour-long opera is in three acts, and is loosely based on Wolfram von Eschenbach’s “Parzival,” the 13th century epic poem of the Arthurian knight Parzival and his quest for the Holy Grail.In April 2013, the company will stage “Don Carlos” and “Falstaff” by Verdi.Other highlights of the KNO next year are Puccini’s “La Boheme” and Bizet’s “Carmen.”The KNO will wrap up the year with Dec 14, 2012
Cellist Chang tapped as Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra's music directorKorea's young cellist and conductor Chang Han-na said Monday she has been designated as the music director of Qatar's national symphony orchestra."I have been appointed to the job of music director of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in a vote by its members for whom I worked as a guest conductor in June," Chang said in a telephone interview with Yonhap News Agency. "I'm really happy but feel a grave responsibility at the same time."Chang, 29, says she will be formally named to the post in September next year and will stay in Qatar for about 100 days a year afterward until the two-year term ends in 2015.It would be the first time that Chang has led a state symphony orchestra if she officially assumes the job.Born to Korean parents in Suwon, just outside of Seoul, Chang began studying piano at age three and cello three years later, getting her name known as a child prodigy extraordinaire. Chang is now considered one of the most sought-after cellists in the world and one of the most important musicians of her generation.After winning both the First Prize and Contemporary Music PriDec 10, 2012
CJ threatens chokehold on concert industryBy Rachel LeeThe “too big to fail” looms as a “once-upon-a-time” tale in the history of Korea Inc., but the media giant CJ E&M’s growing prowess is only broadening and deepening in the entertainment industry. The media giant is once again generating antagonism among smaller-sized concert planners.Securing major venues in Seoul is almost impossible during the winter months especially with the Christmas season, but the prevalence in booking concert venues are mostly by big companies like CJ E&M.The company, aside from its hold on film, cable and musical industry, has been the largest concert organizer that has held concerts for such big names as boy band 2AM, B1A4, Busker Busker, girl group Wonder Girls and singer Lee So-ra this year.From left are English musician Sting’s concert held Wednesday at the Olympic Gymnastic Arena in Olympic Park in Seoul; Kim Bum-soo & Lena Park concert at the Olympic Gymnastic Arena.“CJ E&M has swept the country’s popular venues so it leaves absolutely no room for smaller agencies and it&Dec 10, 2012
Psy slammed for anti-American lyricsPsy, center, performs with backup dancers at KISS FM's Jingle Ball at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Dec. 3. AP-YonhapBy Do Je-haeWith the phenomenal success of “Gangnam Style,” Korean singer Psy has been embraced in the U.S. at a level few Asian artists have experienced. But all of a sudden, he finds himself in the awkward position of having to apologize for rapping about killing American troops back in 2004. Anti-American lyrics at a protest performance began to spread online last week and Psy quickly issued an apology Saturday.The Korean-language lyrics that triggered the outrage, particularly in the U.S. where Psy has gained a large following, call for slowly and painfully killing U.S. soldiers and their families. The outburst came during a live performance of Korean rock band NEXT’s song “Dear American” at a concert protesting U.S. military involvement in Korea but the English translation of the lyrics has only recently been widely circulated in the U.S. media. “While I’m grateful for the freedom to express one’s self, I&rsquoDec 9, 2012
Sarah Chang's national tourStar violinist marks 20 years with EMIKorean-American violinist Sarah Chang speaks during a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. / YonhapBy Do Je-haeViolinist Sarah Chang burst on to the music scene at age 9, making her debut with the New York Philharmonic in a 1989 concert under maestro Zubin Mehta. It didn’t take long for EMI to sign her and in 1992 she released her first album “Debut” consisting of solo pieces for violin and piano.This year marks the 20th anniversary of Chang’s exclusive association with the label that boasts a tradition of recording some of the most respected violinists in history, including Nathan Milstein, Yehudi Menuhin and Itzhak Perlman.The Korean-American will celebrate the landmark year with a national recital tour starting today. She visits various citieNov 30, 2012By Do Je-hae
Violinist Sarah Chang to celebrate 20th anniversary of debut albumKorean-American violinist Sarah Chang, who will perform for Korean fans in a concert tour marking the 20th anniversary of her debut album, said Thursday she was able to keep up her two decade-long music career without any breaks because she "just didn't have the time to fall into a slump." "With the series of ongoing performances, my condition always has to be up to a certain level, so I just didn't have the time to fall into a slump or worry about things" the violin virtuoso told reporters at a Seoul press conference."These days, especially, I am the one to make decisions about which music I'll play or the people I'll perform with, so I take personal responsibility for all of my work and try to think positive thoughts, focusing on today and tomorrow's performances instead of previous ones."Chang, who has been playing the violin since age four, is widely recognized as a one-time child prodigy as well as a musical role model after her debut performance with renowned conductor Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic when she was just eight years old.Chang arrived in Seoul Wednesday eNov 29, 2012
Elton John still packs real punch with strong voiceElton John performs in Seoul: British rock star Sir Elton John sits atop his piano at a concert Tuesday in the Olympic Gymnastic Arena in Seoul where he enraptured Korean audiences with his performance and formidable skills as a showman. / Courtesy of Access EntertainmentBy Rachel LeeBritish rock legend, Sir Elton John, still has a strong voice, wit and playfulness despite being of retirement age, 65.The performer, who came to Korea for the first time in eight years, proved he is still an enduring world class act through music that is much loved by pop and rock fans regardless of age and gender.After a short rhythmical performance by support act cello duo 2Cellos, Elton John appeared on stage singing his opening number “The Bitch is Back” dressed in a magnificent outfit: sporting his trademark glasses and a sparkling blue jacket. The crowd became ecstatic and cheered.This tour celebrates 40 years Nov 28, 2012
Patti Kim's farewell tourPatti Kim will perform at the Goyang Aram Nuri concert hall on Dec. 28-30. / Courtesy of Goyang Cultural FoundationBy Do Je-haeFans will have one last chance to hear pop diva Patti Kim live at the end of this month in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. She will perform three concerts at the Goyang Aram Nuri concert hall on Dec. 28-30.The 74-year-old singer announced her retirement from performing in February, and has been staging a farewell tour in various parts of the country since.Kim’s farewell tour has been received with great enthusiasm. All of her concerts in Seoul, Busan, Changwon, Daejeon and other major cities have been sold out. The concerts in Goyang are the finale of the singer’s farewell tour that has been ongoing since March.Her popularity transcends generations, as older fans and young people in their 20s and 30s have come together to hear the poNov 28, 2012By Do Je-hae
Violin prodigy steals show at benefit concertElli Choi plays with the Sejong Soloists at Seoul Arts Center last Tuesday. / Courtesy of Sejong Soloists Elli Choi, a violin prodigyBy Do Je-haeKang Hyo, a renowned violin professor at the Juilliard School, has taught numerous violin prodigies during his lengthy career at the prestigious U.S. school.One of his prized pupils of late is Elli Choi, 11, who came to Seoul last week to perform at a benefit concert of the Sejong Soloists, a chamber music group founded by Kang. She wowed the audience with Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen" last Tuesday at Seoul Arts Center.Choi is the youngest recipient of an instrument from the Stradivari Society in Chicago; she is playing a three-quarter-sized violin made by Giuseppe Rocca of Turin in 1852.A native of San Diego, Choi mNov 27, 2012
MAMA loses Asian touchPsy, left, will attend the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), which is to be held at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre on Nov. 30./ Courtesy of CJ E&MBy Rachel LeeAfter gracing EMA and AMA ceremonies in Europe and the United States, world star Psy will take to the stage at Mnet Asian Music Awards in Nov. 30 in Hong Kong.It couldn’t be a more fitting stage for Psy nor could there be a better guest for MAMA, an annual music award ceremony hosted by CJ E&M.“With increasing popularity of K-pop, we are hoping to share more of our music with the rest of the world and become the best music award in Asia,” said Shin Hyung-kwan, executive director of channel Mnet, at a press conference held Tuesday in Seoul.To be held at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, MAMA has long aimed to promote Korean music while interacting closely with other Asian neighbors since it first began in 1999 under the title “Mnet Music Video Awards.”Korean boy band Super JuniorThis awards ceremony, which the production team describes as “global Nov 21, 2012
