Pianists Gather for Yamaha Grand Piano FairBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Yamaha Music Korea, the local branch of the world's foremost instrument maker, will hold a three-day exhibition of their new Silent Grand Piano, ``2009 Yamaha Grand Piano Fair,'' from Feb 26 to 28. The free event will feature solo recitals by local rising artists ― Korea National University of Arts student Kim Hyun-jung and Kim Jun-hee, the second prize winner of 2007 Concours Long-Thibaud ― and take place at Yamaha Artist Services Seoul in Coex, Samseong-dong, southern Seoul. Ian Yungwook Yoo, the winner of the 2nd International Beethoven Competition for Piano staged in Bonn, will shine on stage through a concert on Friday. The young virtuoso has been praised by a German music critic for his ``exquisite competence and imposing presence'' on stage. Following his success in the international competition, Yoo has been on a world tour, staging impressive recitals in North America, Europe and Asia. For the last day of the event, professor/pianist Kim Dae-jin, the famed teacher of young pianists like Son Yeol-eum, will give an inspiring lecture entiFeb 24, 2009
Next Generation Artists Sparkle in SeoulBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Youthful exuberance reigned in Seoul last week as Yundi Li, Sung Si-yeon and Alexander Gavrylyuk ― musicians who will lead the future of classical music ― took the stage. Chinese star pianist Li made sure his Wednesday recital at Seoul Arts Center, the first in six years, would be unforgettable, making fans anticipate his next visit. The following evening at the same venue, conductor Sung lead the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to create exhilarating rhythms opposite pianist Gavrylyuk. Yundi Li's Poetic Pianism As the youngest ever winner of the Chopin International Competition, Yundi Li is naturally associated with the musician. He displayed a different musical streak last year through the new repertoire of Prokofiev and Ravel, demonstrating a flair for rhapsodic melodies and primitive rhythms. Ironically, however, it was the 26-year-old's recital featuring Chopin that, though inspiring a pang of nostalgia, demonstrated his ever-evolving growth as a musician ― and suggested that it is perhaps prejudiced to label him as a Chopin specialistFeb 24, 2009
Travis Hopes to Wow Fans at Upcoming Concert in SeoulBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter For Scottish rock band Travis, their first-ever performance in Korea at the Pentaport Rock Festival last year was hard to forget. In an email interview with The Korea Times, Travis vocalist Fran Healy admitted being surprised and humbled with receiving such an enthusiastic reaction from Korean fans at the festival. ``It's always very surprising when you've never been somewhere before. You just don't expect it. I suppose it's like going to a complete stranger's house, but they treat you like a member of family. You feel that you've lost your memory, like you should remember, because people treat you like you've always been there. We were so humbled to be so far away from home and to get such a warm welcome,'' Healy said. Guitarist Andrew Dunlop said before coming to Korea, they didn't know what to expect, so they were blown away by the fans' enthusiasm. ``Everyone was jumping up and down. It was just amazing. When you are in a band, you see people at their most natural. It's great to see people like that, and Koreans are most Feb 23, 2009
Top Singer Kim Gun-mo to Tour in AprilBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter After returning to the music scene with his 12th album, ``Soul Groove,'' the father of K-pop, Kim Gun-mo, will go on a concert tour and appear in ten major cities, starting in Seoul on April 8, his first concert since 2006. He hopes that it will be an occasion to prove himself as a 43-year-old dancing sensation. ``People seem to be skeptical about my dancing abilities because of my age. But really, I've been working on my moves every night,'' the singer jokingly said at a press conference at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Feb 17. Kim added that he has been enhancing his vocal, dancing and piano skills with daily practices and has been working out to maintain his physical strength and give consistently astounding performances throughout the tour. Producer and composer Kim Chang-hwan and Clon band members Koo Jun-yup and Kang Won-rae will join the singer and assist with production and choreography. Producer Kim said the concert will be a combination of the new and old, as the singer will sing his hit songs such as ``Excuse'' andFeb 18, 2009
Album ReviewsLady Gaga `The Fame' (Universal) With catchy dance tracks such as ``Just Dance'' and ``Poker Face,'' Lady Gaga is undeniably one of the breakout stars of 2008. ``The Fame,'' her first album, is a fun mix of 80s pop and electronica music, with obvious influences from Queen, David Bowie and Madonna. Dubbed as the new dance goddess, Lady Gaga was recently nominated for Best Dance Recording at the Grammy Awards. Her songs, which are mostly about the celebrity-crazy world, include ``Paparazzi,'' ``Beautiful, Dirty, Rich,'' ``Money Honey'' and ``Starstruck'' (featuring Space Cowboy and Flo Rida). -Cathy Rose A. Garcia Feb 17, 2009
YouTube Invites Netizens to Vote Orchestra FinalistsBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Video-sharing Web site YouTube is inviting netizens to choose members of the world's first online orchestra project, YouTube Symphony Orchestra. A total of 200 finalists, including six South Koreans, have been chosen. Online votes continue through 2 p.m., Feb. 23 (local time) for the selection of 80 members who will perform at Carnegie Hall, New York, in April. Last December, YouTube called for professional and amateur musicians of all ages, locations and instruments to audition via a video performance of ``Internet Symphony Eroica,'' a new piece written for the occasion by the renowned Chinese composer Tan Dun. Over 4,000 video clips from some 70 countries were submitted. A judging panel of established musicians selected the 200 finalists. The top 80 to win the most votes from netizens will have the chance to make a three-day trip to New York and perform under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. Of the finalists, six Koreans represent the largest group from the Asia Pacific region.Feb 16, 2009
Andrew Johnstons Angelic Voice SoarsBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Popular television talent shows ``Britain's Got Talent'' and ``American Idol'' have made stars out of unknowns like Paul Potts and Kelly Clarkson. Even contestants who didn't win the contest, like Connie Talbot and Jennifer Hudson, have achieved success. Andrew Johnston, the 14-year-old Scottish boy who finished third in last year's ``Britain's Got Talent,'' is proving he can make it, too. His first album, ``One Voice,'' debuted at number four on the British album charts last September and has sold over 100,000 copies since. Johnston first grabbed the public's attention when he auditioned for the show, singing ``Pie Jesu.'' His angelic voice was memorable, but it was his story of being born into poverty and being bullied that touched everyone's hearts. Johnston may not have won the contest, but his talent did not go unrecognized. Simon Cowell, who was a judge in the talent show, immediately signed him to his record label, Syco Music. The album received positive reviews. Johnston shines not only in religious songs like ``Make Feb 16, 2009
Violist O’Neill Set to Dazzle FansBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill is back to show off a different musical streak. The 30-year-old star musician begins a cross-country tour this weekend to play tracks from his fourth solo album ``Mysterioso'' (Archiv Produktion/Universal), a Baroque project with the renowned period ensemble Alte Musik Koln. The tour begins Feb. 21 at Hanam Arts Center, Gyeonggi Province; Feb. 22 at Busan Cultural Center; Pocheon Banweol Art Hall, Gyeonggi Province, Feb. 25; and, finally, in Seoul, at Nowon Art & Culture Center, Feb. 26, and Seoul Arts Center, Feb. 27. ``If I were to find a main concept to tie all of the tracks together, I would have to say it is the sound world within which the piece exists,'' said O'Neill in a statement. The album features Baroque classics like Corelli's Violin Sonata No. 12 ``La Folia'' and Vitali's Chaconne in G minor _ which, based on manuscripts, are a special treat for period music purists. ``Lachrymae,'' the tile piece of O'Neill's platinum album, reappears in ``Mysterioso,'' this time with John Dowland's ``Lachrymae AntFeb 15, 2009
Album ReviewsBob Dylan `Tell Tale Signs' (SonyBMG) This 8th volume of the official Bob Dylan Bootleg Series includes rare tracks that the legendary American singer/songwriter recorded from 1989 and 2006. Dylan was written off as a has-been in the 1980s, but he made a strong comeback with acclaimed albums like ``Oh Mercy,'' ``Love and Theft'' and ``Time Out of Mind.'' ``Tell Tale Signs'' gives fans an insight into Dylan's creative process with alternate versions of songs like ``Tell Ol' Bill,'' ``Most of the Time'' and ``Can't Wait.'' True Dylan fans cannot pass up this chance to listen to previously unreleased gems like ``Marchin' to the City,'' ``Dreamin' of You'' and ``Red River Shore.'' -Cathy Rose A. Garcia Bebo & Chucho `Juntos Para Siempre' (Together Forever) (SonyBMG) Renowned Cuban pianist Bebo Valdes and his son Chucho, an equally acclaimed pianist, recorded their first album together in 2007. ``Juntos Para Siempre'' is a dream collaboration that showcases the immense talent of the Valdes men. At 90, Bebo, who was a leader of the Cuban music scene in the 1940sFeb 10, 2009
X Japan Reunites in Seoul in MarchBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Tickets to the upcoming reunion concerts of Japanese rock group X Japan in Seoul are selling like hotcakes despite the gloomy economy. One of the most popular Japanese rockers in Asia, X Japan is bringing its much anticipated world tour to Seoul March 21 and 22. The ``X Japan World Tour in Seoul'' will be staged at Olympic Gymnasium #1, Olympic Park. Concert organizers said tickets are already 60 percent sold out. Die-hard fans are scrambling for the best seats, which is why the most expensive tickets, which cost 165,000 won, are already 99 percent sold out. Remaining tickets, which cost from 66,000 won to 132,000 won, are already 60 percent sold. X Japan is composed of drummer and pianist Yoshiki, vocalist Toshi, guitarist Pata and bassist Heath. The band was formed in 1982 but achieved mainstream success with their second album, ``Blue Blood,'' in 1989. A pioneer in the ``visual kei,'' or Japanese glam rock movement, the group was known for its flashy costumes, heavy make-up and striking haircuts. Their style was copied by theFeb 10, 2009