Andrea Bocelli to Become One With AudienceBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Andrea Bocelli needs little introduction. His concerts here always boast a full house and the tenor will return next month to relive what is expected to be another intense experience. ``An artist becomes one with the audience. … It is through the audience that I gain both strength and courage,’’ the 51-year-old told The Korea Times in a recent email interview. ``I have many friends in Korea, not only people I share personal connections with but members of the audience who discern my music and show an amazing reaction to it. I have very intense memories of Korea and I am happy to revisit Korea. In the Korea performance, I hope to give everything of myself and offer not only music but also limitless talent as a gift." In the concert, titled ``Incanto’’ (Enchant), Bocelli will captivate fans with an array of Italian classics. The program includes operatic arias such as ``Brindisi’’ from Verdi’s ``La Traviata’’ and famous ballads such as ``Canto Della Terra.’’ He will be joined by Delta Goodrem, the winner of the Best Female Artist prize at theApr 20, 2010
Paik Kun-woo Brings Classics to UlsanBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Maestro pianist Paik Kun-woo will help spread the classical music scene, with a recital Thursday evening at Ulju Culture & Arts Center in Ulsan. As much as Ulsan is not a classical music hotspot in Korea, the performance is expected to be a special treat for local fans. It is part of the art center’s 2010 special concert series. The artist, who has been hailed as ``the poet of the piano,’’ will appropriately play pieces by ``the elder poet’’ Chopin, in time for the 200th anniversary of his birth. Pieces to be played are piano recitalists’ favorites, Variations on Mozart’s ``La ci darem la mano,’’ Op. 2 and Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise, Op. 22. Also included in the program are Ravel’s ``Jeux d’Eau,’’ a masterpiece from the French composer’s early period requiring technical virtuosity and precision, and Sonatine for Piano, Op. 40, which is noted for its colorful harmony and tones. The evening will wrap up with Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Handel, Op. 24. Paik gained international prominence after winning the 1967 Naumburg anApr 20, 2010
Album ReviewsUsher `Raymond vs. Raymond' (SonyBMG) With his latest album ``Raymond vs. Raymond,'' Usher is bent on reestablishing his reputation as the King of R&B. He opens with signature dance tracks ``Monstar'' and ``Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home),'' surefire ways to get listeners grooving on the dance floor. ``Papers'' has attracted attention because of its apparent references to the singer's recent divorce from Tameka Foster. The newly single Usher goes back to singing about clubbing, hook-ups and wooing girls on ``So Many Girls,'' ``Pro Lover'' and ``Making Love (Into the Night).'' There are some misses, like the Will.I.Am-produced ``OMG.'' Usher opts for a safe and familiar sound that will disappoint fans who are looking for something fresh. / Cathy Rose A. Garcia Sa Dingding `Harmony' (Universal Music Korea) Chinese singer-songwriter Sa Dingding is making waves in the world music scene. In 2007, Sa made her debut with an acclaimed album ``Alive,'' and quickly gained fans, and a year later, she won the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award for Asia-Pacific. Her sophoApr 20, 2010
Chung, Midori Will Perform in SeoulBy Do Je-hae Staff Reporter Two of Asia's most talented female violinists will visit Seoul in May after years of absence from the local stage. The forthcoming concerts of Korean virtuoso Chung Kyung-wha, 61, and Japanese superstar Midori, 39, are generating much excitement among Korean lovers of classical violin music. Midori will play the Tchaikovsky violin concerto in D major with the KBS Symphony Orchestra on May 27 and 28. The last time she performed in Korea was in December 2004, in a recital program of Debussy, Beethoven, Brahms and Isang Yun. Chung has been on an extended break from performing due to a finger injury since 2005, but she will be making a comeback to the stage on May 4 with Brahms violin concerto in D major, accompanied by the U.K.'s Philharmonia Orchestra under Vladimir Ashkenazy, a Russian virtuoso as both a conductor and a pianist. Despite their age difference, the two women have much in common as two Asian pioneers of the violin of the 20th century. In 1988, both were selected by Time magazine as the world's top five female violinists along Apr 18, 2010By Do Je-hae
Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Cuts Through KoreaBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter East meets West with a big musical bang. The spirit of the ancient trade route, the Silk Road, has been resurrected: Since launching in 1998 under the auspices of cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Silk Road Project has leaped over geographical and cultural barriers to make and transport music. The uncanny troupe will return to Korea for the second time with a concert Sunday afternoon at Seoul Arts Center, as part of the hall’s World Artist Series. This is the ensemble’s first Asia tour in six years, and other stops include Taiwan, Singapore, Macao and Thailand. ``I look forward to returning to Asia with the Silk Road Ensemble,’’ Ma, the founder and artistic director of the nonprofit arts and educational organization, said in a press release. ``This tour is especially exciting for us because each of the places we are visiting has deep roots in the kind of exchange that happened along the Silk Road.’’ Featuring traditional instruments from different corners of the world, from Korea and India to Brazil, the ensemble has fused Eastern and Western classApr 16, 2010
Album ReviewsScorpions `Sting in the Tail' (SonyBMG) German rocker Scorpions have released ``Sting in the Tail,'' its last album before retiring from the music scene. After 40 years of music together, Scorpions have mastered the art of hard rock as shown in electrifying tracks ``Raised on Rock,'' ``Rock Zone'' and ``Sting in the Tail.'' Scorpions takes it down a notch with quintessential power rock ballads ``Lorelei,'' ``SLY'' and ``The Best is Yet to Come.'' Lead singer Klaus Meine still offers strong vocals, while the rest of the band sounds tight. ``The spirit of rock will never die,'' Meine sings on ``Spirit of Rock.'' Scorpions have definitely given it their all to make this final album a memorable one for themselves and their loyal fans. / Cathy Rose A. Garcia Justin Bieber `My Worlds' (Universal Music Korea) Unless you're a teenager, you probably don't know who Justin Bieber is. The 16-year-old singing sensation has been melting teenage hearts all over the world with his sugary songs, slick dance moves and cute looks. ``My Worlds'' is a special edition of BApr 13, 2010
Deep Purple to Rock in MayBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter British hard rock pioneers Deep Purple will be holding a concert in Seoul next month. The band, known for hit songs ``Hush,'' ``Smoke on the Water'' and ``Highway Star,'' will be performing at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, southern Seoul, May 18. Deep Purple, generally considered as one of the bands that pioneered heavy metal and hard rock, has sold over 100 million records around the world. Deep Purple's current line-up is composed of Ian Gillan, vocals, harmonica and congas; Steve Morse, guitar; Roger Glover, bass; Ian Paice, drums and percussion; and Don Airey, organ and keyboards. The band was formed in 1968 in Hertford, with keyboardist Jon Lord, guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, Nick Simper, Rod Evans and drummer Paice. They recorded their debut album, ``Shades of Deep Purple,'' which included a cover version of Joe South's ``Hush.'' The song made it big in the U.S., reaching no. 4 on the Billboard charts. Since its formation, the band has undergone several line-up changes. The second and widely considered as the most sApr 13, 2010
From Bossa Nova to Retro PopBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter An array of colorful concerts is on offer through Monday, from bossa nova to angelic choral music and retro pop. Join in ``Music Forest” ― three days of musical festivity that branches out to reach different genres at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, downtown Seoul. On Saturday night, at 7:30 p.m., Bebel Gilberto will give her first performance in Korea. The Brazilian diva is the child of none other than Joao Gilberto ― one of the artists credited with the launching of the bossa nova genre ― and famed vocalist, Miucha. In the 21st century, she brought a contemporary edge to traditional bossa nova by fusing it with electronic sounds. Fans can look forward to hearing her bring the sunny Brazilian beaches to Seoul, through ``Cancao de Amor’’ and ``Nossa Senhora.’’ Also featured are things familiar yet new: ``The Real Thing,’’ a funky reinterpretation of the 1970s Stevie Wonder song, and ``Sun Shining,’’ where Bob Dylan’s song wears a layer of dreamy surrealism as it is sung in Portuguese. Tickets cost from 30,000 to 100,000 wApr 9, 2010
Meeting of the Maestros: Argerich & ChungBy 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 conductoApr 6, 2010
Album ReviewsJimi Hendrix `Valleys of Neptune' (SonyBMG) It's been 40 years since legendary musician Jimi Hendrix died at the age of 27, but his legacy lives on. SonyBMG has released a new posthumous album ``Valley of Neptune,'' filled with 12 previously unreleased songs that Hendrix recorded with the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1969. The album is a treat for Hendrix fans since it includes ``new'' versions of classics (``Stone Free'' and ``Hear My Train A Comin''') and interesting covers (Elmore James' ``Bleeding Heart'' and Cream's ``Sunshine of Your Love''), as well as the official version of ``Valleys of Neptune.'' Exceptional tracks are the energetic version of ``Fire,'' ``Lullaby for the Summer'' and ``Lover Man.'' / Cathy Rose A. Garcia Gorillaz `Plastic Beach' (Warner Music Korea) For a hip-hop group composed of quirky animated characters with names like 2D, Noodle, Murdoc and Russel, it's surprising that the Gorillaz are still around. The Gorillaz, a project group created by Blur's ex-frontman Damon Albarn in 1998, has expanded its repertoire, flirting with a futApr 6, 2010