Korean pianists shine at Queen ElisabethBy Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter Two young Koreans won prizes in the piano section of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth competition in Belgium on May 29. Kim Tae-hyung, 25, finished fifth, taking home 10,000 euros as well as the Brussels Capital Region prize, while Kim Da-sol, 21, tailed him with the sixth prize (7,000 euros) and City of Brussels prize. A total of 12 Koreans vied for the top awards this year and three other rising local pianists ― Kim Kyu-yeon (25, New England Conservatory), Park Jong-hai (20, Korea National University of Arts) and Sunwoo Yekwon (21, Curtis Institute of Music) ― were named laureates in the prestigious event. Each will receive 4,000 euros and recital opportunities. The Queen Elisabeth has three sections, for the piano, violin and vocals, and takes place in Brussels every three years. The piano section in particular is ranked among the world’s toughest keyboard events alongside the Chopin and Tchaikovsky. Fifth prizewinner Kim Tae-hyung debuted in 2001 as a Young Artist of the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation and in 2004 became the first eMay 31, 2010
Usher to perform in Seoul for first timeBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter R&B superstar Usher will perform in Korea for the first time in his 16-year career next month. The 31-year-old will be in Korea for just one night. He plans to perform the hit numbers that helped him win five Grammies, 13 Billboard Music Awards and even become selected as one of the hottest single artists in the 21st century by Billboard magazine. Usher released his sixth album ``Raymond v. Raymond’’ this March, and fans will get to listen to his new songs live. In a recent email interview with The Korea Times, the singer said the new album was a reflection of the past couple of years, where he experienced some ``serious things.’’ ``There is validation in accepting change. Having gone through a marriage, a divorce and having children have taught me very valuable lessons and that's what I put into my career and my music,’’ he said. The song ``Hey Daddy’’ is a tribute to his father who passed away in 2008, while ``Papers’’ deals with his experience after divorcing his former wife. The track ``OMG’’ is also be a must-listen-to nMay 31, 2010
Paik, Jarvi offer fans night to rememberBy Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter So this is Brahms. Bona fide, frills-free. The maestro made himself at home in Seoul via the Paavo Jarvi-led Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and pianist Paik Kun-woo. The renowned German ensemble, under the musical direction of the Estonian-American conductor since 2004, made its Korea concert debut Saturday at Seoul Arts Center. The evening opened with Weber's ``Euryanthe'' overture, voluminous and bursting with Romantic colors yet clean-cut. The audience exploded into applause as Paik, the country's most revered pianist, emerged onstage. Before one even noticed, Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 finally came home and reached the listener ― with the sheer honesty and integrity of the interpretation and performance, and moreover, spectacular interplay between the soloist and orchestra. The piece was written by a young Brahms, who was at the time a pianist and composer for the piano trying to experiment before plunging into the world of symphonies. Though it strictly adheres to conservative Classical forms, it features a dynamic conversation bMay 30, 2010
Midori gives impassioned performance of TchaikovskyBy Do Je-hae Staff reporter Violin virtuoso Midori's concerto performance in Seoul was a prime example of thoughtful interpretation, spellbinding lyricism and effortless virtuosity. Performing a piece as familiar as Tchaikovsky's violin concerto in D major is a daunting challenge when having to produce a fresh interpretation. Midori has been performing in concerts for 28 out of her 39 years, and the Tchaikovsky piece has remained a staple in her enormous repertoire. Midori seemed to know exactly what she wanted to say, using her 1734 Guarnerius del Gesu to express her innermost feelings for one of the greatest masterpieces ever written for the violin. The piece has been performed and recorded numerous times since its premiere in 1881 and is one of the most respected violin concertos along with those by Brahms and Beethoven. For playing the Brahms and Beethoven concertos, both of which are also written in D major, violinists are usually advised to wait until they mature to a certain age. Due to its youthful vigor and sweet melodies, however, the Tchaikovsky work May 28, 2010By Do Je-hae
Album reviewsCharice `Charice' (Warner Music Korea) With her first international release, her jaw-dropping, powerful voice and new image, the 18-year-old Filipina Charice ― mentored by the legendary David Foster ― is certainly ``a force to be reckoned with,'' to borrow Oprah's words. The eponymous release is the artist's initial venture into the R&B genre, and she nails the hip-moving beats on tracks like the single ``Pyramid,'' featuring Iyaz, as well as in the dramatic ``In This Song.'' Though some tracks seem to almost gloss over her incredible skill, Charice lets her voice shine through in the heart wrenchingly epic ``Note to God.'' ― Ines Min Lady Antebellum `Need You Now' (Warner Music Korea) Grammy-winning country trio Lady Antebellum is back with their second album ``Need You Now.'' The catchy title track ``Need You Now,'' a song about pining after an ex-lover, has already topped the U.S. charts. Listening to the rest of the album, it's easy to forget Lady Antebellum's country roots. Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood have perfectly blended couMay 25, 2010
Kaon Kim to bring jazzy tunes this monthBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter Jazz may have started in the United States and still be considered something truly American, but this hasn't stopped jazz pianist Kaon Kim's vision in interpreting Korean songs with a jazzy twist. The 33-year-old is holding his first concert ``Tour de Kaon Kim'' this month, beckoning music fans to soak up his stylish tunes. ``Since it's my first concert, I'm nervous and happy at the same time. I poured my life as an artist into my album last year, but now it's time for me to actually play the music,'' he told The Korea Times during a phone interview. K-pop fans may not know Kim that well, but for jazz fans, he was a favorite even before his album's release. He released his first album ``Un/Like the Other Day'' in 2009, and it was instantly noticed by music lovers and critics for its distinctive sounds and style. Instead of holding solo concerts, he chose to meet fans by appearing at small jazz clubs, which helped him make a name for himself and also explore music with fellow jazz musicians. Studying at Seoul National University, thMay 25, 2010
Seoul music fest sizzles with artists galoreBy Lee Hyo-won Staff reporter Not long after the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music wrapped up last week, the city is thriving with the ongoing Seoul International Music Festival (SIMF). The event is bringing together some 80 of the most accomplished artists of the day in thematic classical music performances through June 1. The festival, in its second season this year, has been criticized for some faulty organization, most notably a prematurely announced program schedule featuring the Frankfurt Radio Symphony and maestro pianist Paik Kun-woo slated for Saturday (now canceled). Its colorful lineup however is still expected to be a treat for fans, as it sheds light on centuries-long masterpieces in a modern context, through reinterpretations by contemporary composers. SIMF kicked off Sunday at Seoul Arts Center with a concert titled ``Flying Up.’’ The Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra, led by its music director Kim Dae-jin, performed pieces including Walton’s Viola Concerto with Israeli virtuoso Avri Levitan and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with rising star Jan Lisiecki.May 23, 2010
Pianist is back with love, seasonsBy Han Sang-hee Staff reporter Pianist George Winston is known for his poetic and melodic scores around the world, but the 61-year-old pianist is far from considering himself a ``master.'' He says he thinks he's ``half-way there,'' trying to improve his playing and playing each song better. That's basically what is foremost on his mind every day. Winston is on tour in Korea for the 10th time, performing in cities such as Goyang, Busan, Daegu and Daejeon. The melodies he creates are peaceful and calm, but Winston himself is quite witty in person. When a camera crew came into the room for a group interview last week, he innocently asked if he needed to put on some makeup for the Korean audience, while he went around the room shaking hands with the reporters saying ``aksu'' (handshake in Korean). He would make a joke and whisper ``nongdam'' (joke in Korean). His frequent visits here may have exposed him more to the culture, but the pianist said there was still so much to discover. ``Each time I come, I learn more. The experience is deeper each time. The songs arMay 19, 2010
Album reviewsToni Braxton 'Pulse' (Warner Music Korea) Toni Braxton, the 1990s R&B legend, returns with her seventh album ``Pulse,'' filled with tragic serenades and dance-worthy bars, though the release still drags at times. The highlights are tracks like ``Make My Heart,'' which begins with funk rhythms before transforming into a lively club song, while ``Yesterday,'' a heartfelt ballad, recalls the strength of Braxton's earlier work. The vocal range of the 42-year-old shines through as a saving grace unaffected by time, but a few tracks like ``Hero'' and ``No Way'' are easy to tune out. Though the album overall has no major faults, the absence of anything explosive leaves listeners merely nostalgic for the singer's past. ― Ines Min Robin Thicke 'Sex Therapy' (Universal Music Korea) The multi-talented pretty boy Robin Thicke releases his fourth album in a smooth, polished package of ``Sex Therapy'' that features a (only partially) tongue-in-check cover booklet and equally smart tracks. Thicke manages to blend his brand of R&B into a slick, 17-track offering inMay 18, 2010
DAT Politics to play in Korea for first timeBy Ines Min Staff reporter Prepare yourself, Korea, as the French-electro group DAT Politics will make their way to the country for the first time in their decade-long career this week. The eight-album strong laptop group from Lille can be characterized by their eclectic sound bites, quirky background vocals, synthesizers and beats reminiscent of video game music. Since beginning in 1999, they've also had a chance to contribute to the growing vein of electronic bands as they helped transform the music scene. ``At the time laptops were not always well accepted,'' said Claude Pailliot in an email interview with The Korea Times, while the band was busy flying between Russia and Switzerland. ``But it changed recently with the explosion of the French electro scene. It just became usual.'' Though the recent popularity of laptop-based bands, which range from fellow French-electro dance group Justice to the impressively orchestrated DJ remixing of Girl Talk, DAT Politics looks to retain their sense of technical roots while continuing to engage the crowd. ``Watching somMay 18, 2010