Yoo: Child Prodigy to MaestroBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter This is the 11th in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians ― ED Some time ago, a 10-year-old boy surprised Korea with an original piano sonata, and the big media spotlight trailed this ``Mozart of Korea.'' Now, after 20 years of studying abroad, championing several competitions and world tours, the 30-year-old is back. In 1998, pianist Ian Yung-wook Yoo won First Prize by unanimous vote at the Paloma O'Shea Santander International Competition. After releasing his first Franz Liszt album under the Naxos label, the Juilliard graduate went on to perform across Europe and beyond. Recently, he made headlines for winning the Second International Beethoven Piano Competition in Bonn, Germany as well as the second prize in the 16th Vianna de Motta (where no first prize was awarded). Appearing onstage with renowned artists like Mischa Maisky and the world's premier orchestras, he seems to be living a happy success story. But the transition from child prodigy to a mature musician, Yoo told The Korea Times, was far from eMay 20, 2008
Album ReviewsDaniel Harding, Wiener Philharmonkier `Mahler 10' Deutsche Grammophon Daniel Harding leads the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for Gustav Mahler's 10th Symphony. ``I'm 32 going onto 50,'' said Harding, referring to the age Mahler was when he completed his Ninth Symphony before composing the 10th. The conductor himself is 32. Having debuted assisting Simon Rattle, he drives music with rigor in this powerful recording with the Vienna Philharmonic, Mahler's own orchestra. ``The very famous `scream' chord in the first movement, a nine-note dissonance, is an astonishing cry of anguish… But it's pure Edvard Munch in music,'' said the conductor. Technically immaculate, the ``dissonance'' personifies expressionism in all its glory. - Lee Hyo-won May 20, 2008
Morning Musume, Bump of Chicken in JuneBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Popular Japanese all-girl group Morning Musume and rock band Bump of Chicken are holding concerts in Seoul next month. Considered the best-selling girl group in Japan, Morning Musume will hold its first concert in Seoul, June 1 at Olympic Hall, Olympic Park. The group will have two concerts, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. in one day, as part of their ``10th Anniversary Tour.'' Morning Musume was formed in 1997, when Japanese producer Tsunku held a talent search for a female rock vocalist for the band Sharan Q on a TV show ``Asayan.'' Tsunku decided to create a girl group, Morning Musume, composed of five runners-up from the audition. In 1998, the girls released their first single ``Morning Coffee.'' The group's line-up has undergone changes throughout the years. Every year, new members are introduced, while some of the old members graduate from the group. Members are known for their cute looks and perky personalities. Past ``graduates'' include Maki Goto, who was only 13 when she joined the group and is now a solo singer. Morning MusumMay 20, 2008
Chris Botti Excited to Perform in SeoulBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter When American jazz trumpet player Chris Botti performed in Seoul a few years ago, the warm reception he received from the Korean audience made a strong and lasting impression. ``I would put the Korean audience in the top five of my favorite international audiences I've ever performed for. I am so excited to return to Korea based on the enthusiasm on the last time we performed,'' he told The Korea Times in an e-mail interview. Botti returns to Seoul on May 22, as a headliner for Romantic Jazz Night at the Seoul Jazz Festival (May 21-24). Fans will be able to listen to Botti perform different selections from his latest album ``Italia'' and older albums. ``More importantly, you're going to see one of the best bands working in any genre of music today so you should expect to have a great time and hear a variety of sounds of jazz, classical music, and rock,'' he promised. Botti gained critical acclaim and won fans with his smooth jazz music. He is no overnight sensation, having released several solo albums before hitting it bigMay 14, 2008
Album ReviewsGavin DeGraw `Gavin DeGraw' SonyBMG American singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw melts his soulful and rock-tinged vocals into his long-awaited self-titled album. His vocals in this album are a successful combination of Jason Mraz, Maroon 5 and John Mayer. The first track of ``In Love With A Girl'' reminds listeners of the strong beats of Maroon 5's ``Sunday Morning,'' while ``Cheated On Me'' is reminiscent of John Mayer's soulful take. ``Next to Me'' seems to channel a little Jason Mraz in the intro and eventually falls back into his own style. ``Relative'' has a hard rock sound while ``She holds a Key'' is finished with a gospel sound. ``Let It Go'' is tender and touching, reminding listeners a little bit of Queen. - Chung Ah-young May 13, 2008
Chee-Yun Serenades With ViolinBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter One of the most beloved violinists of her generation, Chee-Yun (Kim Chee-yun) is back from the United States for the release of her latest album ``Serenata Notturno'' (Decca), in stores Thursday before her recitals here May 19-20. In her new album, she croons love songs in the language she seems to know best ― through the slightest pitch, intonation and whispers of the violin. ``I'm very happy with the album,'' the 38-year-old told The Korea Times Monday. Constantly tossing her head back with hearty laughs, she was as charming in person as she is onstage. ``Serenades are love songs and nocturnes are night music. Just like the title, it's easy (listening) for even non-classical musicians,'' she said. But the recording process was by no means easy. ``I was so absorbed with it that I forgot to eat for three days at one point,'' she said. ``In these songs you can't hide behind virtuosity. Because they're simple, you're more exposed. One note can change the mood.'' With the chamber group Modern Ensemble Picasso, Chee-Yun brings 20 famous pieceMay 13, 2008
Operas Fete Puccins 150th Anniv.By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter This year celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Giacammo Puccini, the Italian composer who gave the world pieces that have become staples of the standard operatic repertoire. For Korea, 2008 also marks the 60th year since opera was first introduced here in 1948. One of Puccini's classics, ``Turandot,'' was recently staged here by the Beijing Opera Group, and other major production companies will also pay homage to the maestro. Puccini was born into a musical family in Lucca in 1858. He grew up singing in choirs and went on to create masterpieces. He died in 1924 but his works, which reappear time and time again onstage all over the world, live on. Viva Puccini ``Beautiful melodies, narrative and music go hand in hand in Puccini's dramatic composition technique. That moves modern people,'' explained Jang Su-dong, artistic director of the Seoul Opera Ensemble. ``Puccini always stressed the importance of harmonizing with the audience and not being too far ahead. So he was sometimes criticized as a pop composer. ``But his workMay 12, 2008
Conductor Seikyo Kim Bridges Old, NewLee Hyo-won Staff Reporter This is the 10th in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians ― ED Given Seikyo Kim's well-established reputation, it is perhaps misleading to include the 38-year-old conductor in this pool of ``next generation'' artists alongside budding teenage violinists. As Vladimir Jurowski ― another ``young, star conductor'' like Kim ― said during a recent tour here, musicality and age are indeed two different things. But like Jurowski said, music does in fact get ``more interesting as (musicians) become older.'' Considering Kim's biologically young age, classical music expects more from one of today ― and tomorrow's ― most talented conductors, particularly since his music is all about bridging the old and new. ``You're in the best spot to hear the best music in the world,'' Kim told The Korea Times about the beauty of conducting. ``I always say, keep the old music alive and perform the work of the masters in the way they want it. We tend to play everything in the mode of the 20th century, which is wrong,'' he said. KimMay 6, 2008
CCM Group to Lift Hopes With ConcertBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Compared to the United States where contemporary Christian music (CCM) is considered a genre in the music industry, Korea has yet to open its doors to the trend. Among those devoted people who wish to change this is POS, a CCM group and Sohyang, its lead singer. POS, meaning ``light'' in Greek, is holding a concert June 7 at Olympic Hall, a fairly popular venue among singers here. But in an interview with The Korea Times, Sohyang and Zion, fellow member and leader of the group, said they were not used to big performances in Korea and that it has been a long time since they had an interview with the local press. ``I'm not really interested in fame or money. I cannot imagine the burden of becoming famous; the responsibility as not only a singer but also a devoted Christian,'' the 30-year-old lead singer laughed. Having dreamt of doing many things including being a cartoonist and an interpreter, Sohyang started singing with POS when she was in high school. Performing at churches and religious events, she eventually became famous among chuMay 6, 2008
Album ReviewsMadonna `Hard Candy' Warner Bros. This album is an unbelievable collection of Madonna, the ageless songstress, showing off her powerful up-tempo beats in collaboration with other pop icons such as Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams. The album proves her strong presence in the pop scene with hip-hop tinged dance tracks. Must-listen tracks are ``Candy Shop'' (dance); ``Give It 2 Me'' (pop/dance); ``Miles Away'' (mid-tempo - reminiscent of the ``Ray of Light'' album); ``She's Not Me''(pop/R&B); ``Beat Goes On''(R&B); ``Devil Wouldn't Recognize You''(a ballad with a beat); ``Voices'' (mid-tempo and vintage Madonna). The album is a mix of flavors that imbue something different for each song for the listeners. -Chung Ah-young May 6, 2008