Violinist Choi Ye-euns Blooming MusicalityBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter This is the seventh in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians. ― ED Violinist Choi Ye-eun is the very image of a flower. When the smiling, petite 19-year-old met with The Korea Times, she was pretty in pink and constantly fiddling with the rose sitting before her on the table. But her powerful stage presence is far from dainty and frail ― she's more like a strong and vibrant sunflower. She lets nature take its course, allowing her pure love and passion for music to naturally guide her growth. ``I never consciously thought, `I am going to become someone,' nor did I systematically participate in competitions. It all came quite naturally,'' said Choi. One of the most promising talents to emerge from Korea and Germany in recent years, she was named `Emerging Artist of 2007'' by the American Symphony Orchestra League. After studying under Kim Nam-yun, Choi currently works with Ana Chumachenko in Munich with the support of the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation. The violinist is in town to appear as soloist for the Kent Apr 15, 2008
Orchestra Fest Marks SpringBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The Seoul Arts Center celebrates 20 years of music and art with the 2008 Orchestra Festival through April 23. The arts center began its concert relay April 1 inviting 20 orchestras from across the country, and there are still nine more concerts to go. Renowned artists such as pianists Park Jong-hwa and Son Yeol-eum and violinist Kim Nam-yun have appeared with orchestras from Incheon to Wonju. More premier musicians from near and far will continue to join in the anniversary as guest conductors and soloists. Be prepared for more renditions of Beethoven, Brahms and Rachmaninov. The Suwon Philharmonic will take the stage tonight. Korea will be able to see its own version of a Daniel Barenboim performance, as esteemed pianist and professor Kim Dae-jin appears as both conductor and soloist. He will perform Beethoven's Overture ``Egmont,'' Piano Concerto No. 5 and Symphony No. 7. Wednesday, the Changwon Philharmonic, conducted by Yazaki Hikotaro, will play Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 2 with cellist Kang Seung-min. Thursday, Alexander Anissimov wilApr 14, 2008
Im Tae-kyung Questions the ClassicsBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter ``Traditional'' and ``enduring'' are associated with the word ``classic,'' and classical music usually refers to centuries-old work by Beethoven and other dead composers. In his new album ``Sings the Classics?'' (Sony BMG Music), tenor Im Tae-kyung delves into a classical crossover conundrum ― a musical quest challenging the meaning of classical music. ``The question mark is most important in `Sings the Classics?''' the 34-year-old said in a concert last week to promote his freshly released album. ``Wouldn't the music that is skin-deep to our generation become classic 100 years from now?'' he said to a very responsive and packed crowd in the LG Arts Center, southern Seoul. He addresses the ``thesis'' question with his first ``case study'' of beloved American and British pop from the 1970s and 80s. Im sings 13 classical melodies by John Lennon, Queen, the Carpenters, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and Simon & Garfunkle among others. These artists are household names in Korea, having been a must in the music literature for the older generation and Apr 13, 2008
Album ReviewsDuffy `Rockferry' Universal British soul singer Duffy continues to swirl a storm of retro soulful romance in the world pop scene, following in the footsteps of the multi-Grammy award-winning singer Amy Winehouse. The title track and album opener, an atmospheric, slow-building and idiosyncratic song slides into a collection of original material that some might call retro mood. Her soulful vocals reminiscent of Winehouse revive vintage soul, which was popular in 1960s. The first single, contemporary-tinged ``Mercy'' used in a TV commercial, is gaining enormous popularity from Korean fans. Her other tracks such as ``Warwick Avenue,'' ``Stepping Stone,'' and ``Distant Dreamer'' present the 1960s retro feel to listeners. -Chung Ah-young Van Morrison `Keep It Simple' Lost Highway To call music ``effortless'' usually is damning with faint praise, and those who use the term to describe Van Morrison's 35th album might have the word's negative connotation in mind. But while Morrison's Celtic rhythm and blues now sound as familiar and off-the-cuff as a pub singApr 8, 2008
Andrea Bocelli, Lena Maria Coming to KoreaBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Two of classical music's most inspirational singers ― Andrea Bocelli and Lena Maria ― will thrill Korean fans in April. Andrea Bocelli in Seoul Andrea Bocelli, the world's favorite classical crossover singer, is visiting Korea for the first time in eight years. He will give a live concert at the Olympic Park Stadium (Gymnastics Stadium), 8:30 p.m., April 22. Loved for hit songs like ``Time to Say Goodbye,'' the Italian tenor has sold over 60 million albums worldwide. In 1999 he became the first classical musician to be nominated for the Grammy Awards. For Seoul, the 49-year-old will sing a dozen operatic arias by Verdi (Nabucco, Il Trovatore, La Traviata) and Puccini (Gianni Schicchi, Manon Lescaut, Tosca, La Boheme). Also part of the program are classics from Naples: Tosti's ``La Serenata,'' Sartori's ``Canta Della Terra,'' Bixio's ``Mamma'' and Di Capua's ``O Sole Mio'' among others. Joining him onstage are pop singer Heather Headley, soprano Maria Luigia Borsi and baritone Gianfranco Montresor. Domestic troupes, the Prime PhilharmoApr 8, 2008
Big Operas Spring to Life in SeoulBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The year 2007 came to a dim close for the domestic opera scene, with a fire at the Seoul Arts Center canceling productions. But spring has arrived, and major operas are burgeoning: ``Turandot,'' ``Lucia di Lammermoor'' (gala show), ``Aida'' and ``Turandot.'' La Traviata's 60th Anniversary The Seoul Metropolitan Opera Company will bring Giuseppe Verdi's time-honored ``La Traviata,'' Thursday through Sunday at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in northern Seoul. ``La Traviata'' was the first ever opera staged in Korea in 1948. This coming production will retain the original 17th century Italian romanticism, and will be perfect to celebrate the 60th anniversary of opera here. Like the Italian master's other works, ``La Traviata'' is a classic melodrama speaking of love and jealousy, death and salvation, and revenge and passion. The beautiful but ill-fated Violetta and the rich, handsome Alfredo fall madly in love, but are separated by poverty, misunderstanding and maddening jealousy ― and ultimately, death. Inspired by Alexandre DApr 7, 2008
Koreas Paul Potts Makes Dream Come TrueBy Han Sang-hee Staff Reporter Many now know the success story of Paul Potts, the cell phone salesman who became a well-known tenor by following his heart. Now, Korea has its own Potts, 31-year-old Whee jin ― a former researcher at an automobile company ― released his first album as a popera singer, overcoming his financial and emotional difficulties. The newcomer met The Korea Times amidst his tight schedule, and was more than eager to talk about his life and dreams. ``I have wanted to be a singer ever since I was in middle school. But considering the circumstances, this was never impossible,'' he told The Korea Times. Whee jin grew up knowing that he had the talent to become a tenor, but due to his mother's illness and his financial burden, he decided to put his dreams aside for a while and go for a more ``stable'' life as a planning researcher at a large automobile company. ``Life as an ordinary employee was interesting and I liked the work,'' he replied, but there was always something missing: his music. After arduous nights of studying and practicing, Whee jApr 6, 2008
Pianist Son Yeol-eums Coming of AgeThis is the sixth in a series of interviews with the next-generation of classical musicians.― Ed. By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter After making the rounds of all the big competitions, pianist Son Yeol-eum is ready to begin the next chapter in her life as a full fledged, independent artist. ``I suppose you could call this standing on my own two feet,'' said Son, smiling, in a recent Korea Times interview in Seoul. Sporting jeans and a sweatshirt, sans the glamorous evening dress we often see her in, she looked like any other 21-year-old. She was in town to appear as soloist for the New York Philharmonic's historic tour in the two Koreas at the end of February. It was her second time appearing with maestro Lorin Maazel onstage. ``It was with the New York Philharmonic, my first big solo (in 2004). It was for a great cause, so it was wondeful,'' she said. After touching the piano keys at the age of three, she was studying with Korea's premier pianist and professor Kim Dae-jin by 12 and entered early the Korean National University of Arts at only 16. In 2002, Son becaApr 1, 2008
Album ReviewsUsher `Love In This Club' SonyBMG A new single by American top R&B star Usher has haunting rhythms and beats that will linger in your ears long after you hear it. The single is a precursor of the much-awaited album titled ``Here I Stand,'' which will be released in May four years after his last album, ``Confession'' in 2004. The single shot to the top of the Billboard single charts for the first three weeks. The album includes three different version of ``Love In This Club'' including the track featuring American rapper Young Jeezy. He collaborated with renowned producers such as Jermaine Dupri and T-Pain Dre & Vidaland Polow da Don. -Chung Ah-young Andre Gagnon `The Ultimate Andre Gagnon' SonyBMG Since releasing the album, ``Monologue'' in 1998 in Korea, Canadian New Age pianist Andre Gagnon has become a household name for many Korean fans. In return for Korean fans' loyaltiy to his music, he has released a special collection of his albums only in Korea. The collection presents 47 tracks in three CDs, including ``Comme Au Premier Jour,'' ``Love Me TenApr 1, 2008
Seoul Jazz Festival Starts in MayBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter This year's Seoul Jazz Festival promises to be an exciting event in May, with a stellar line-up of top foreign and local jazz artists. American trumpet player Chris Botti, British band Incognito, French bossa nova group Nouvelle Vague, as well as Korean jazz group Prelude and Korean singers Lee Hyun-woo, Woongsan and Lena Park are among the performers. The four-day event will be held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Gwanghwamun from May 21 to 24. On May 21, the Korean Jazz-Pop Crossover Night will feature performances by jazz pianist Kim Kwang-min, singer Lena Park and actor-singer Lee Hyun-woo. Kim, who studied in Berkeley and the New England Conservatory of Music, is known for ``Koreanizing'' jazz music. He has released five albums including ``A Letter from the Earth'' (1990), ``Shadow of the Moon'' (1993), and ``Time Travel'' (2007). Park, also known as Park Jung-hyun, is considered to have one of the strongest voices in Korean pop. She shot to stardom with the release of her first album, ``Piece,'' in 1998. HApr 1, 2008