Violist Richard Yongjae O’Neill’s Art of GivingThis is the fourth in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians. ― Ed. By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill reminds you of the Energizer Bunny. He keeps going and going. For the 29-year-old violist, it would be typical to go on a cross-country tour with Schubert across Korea, and then fly to Los Angeles to teach for eight hours before heading to New York. After a few days of playing chamber music at the Lincoln Center and fiddling contemporary pieces at the Guggenheim, he's on the move again. Following a quick stop to lecture at UCLA, he's in Milan with John Zorn, making modern music history. This is how 2007 zipped past for the musician. One of the few violists to ever receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant as well as a Grammy Award nomination (Best Soloist with Orchestra), Richard Yongjae O'Neill is rising to prominence as one of the leading artists of his generation. But it seems to be more than a deep passion for music that keeps him going. It is the power of sharing through music. ``An artist should giMar 9, 2008
Swedish Metal Band to Perform in SeoulBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Swedish metal band Arch Enemy will perform in Seoul March 15. The band will stage its first concert here at the Seoul Fashion Art Hall in Dongdaemun, Seoul. Arch Enemy is known for their ``melodic death metal sound'' around the world. The band has undergone several line-up changes throughout the years, but it is currently composed of Angela Gossow, Michael Amott, Christopher Amott, Sharlee D'Angelo and Daniel Erlandsson. Michael Amott, a guitarist, decided to form Arch Enemy after he left British metal band Carcass in 1996. Since then, the band has released seven albums and DVD ``Live Apocalypse.'' Their first album ``Black Earth,'' featuring the single ``Bury Me an Angel,'' achieved moderate success in Japan. Their second album ``Stigmata'' was released worldwide in 1998, giving Arch Enemy wider popularity in Europe and the United States. The following year, Arch Enemy released another album ``Burning Bridges,'' featuring a more melodic sound compared to their first two heavy metal albums. In 2001, German journalistMar 5, 2008
Carl Davis Revives Charlie ChaplinBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Classical music buffs and avid movie fans, be prepared for a colorful audiovisual experience ― live orchestral music and silent films will converge as renowned conductor Carl Davis revives six Charlie Chaplin films with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. The ``Hello! Chaplin Original Film Festival'' will take place over three performances at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in northern Seoul, March 14-16. Davis has visited 28 cities across the world with Chaplin, having sellouts in the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Hong Kong and Malaysia. He finally brings the show to Korea for his first visit. With the Seoul Philharmonic, Korea's oldest orchestra, the maestro will conduct live music for one feature film and one short each day: ``Behind the Screen'' and ``The Gold Rush,'' March 14; ``The Cure'' and ``City Lights,'' March 15; and ``The Adventure'' and ``Modern Times,'' March 16. Davis performed the same program with the London Philharmonic in 2003 at the London Royal Festival Hall. A distinguished composer and conductor, DavMar 5, 2008
London Philharmonic Orchestra Will Play in Seoul Next WeekBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter The London Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Vladmir Jurowski, will perform in Seoul, offering two full programs over three concerts, March 11-13. Internationally renowned violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill and pianist Paik Kun-woo will join the British ensemble onstage. The 75-year-old orchestra is among the world's most distinguished, and especially after taking residence in the London Festival Hall in 1992, has actively appeared all over the United Kingdom and the international stage. Classical music fans in Seoul will be able to experience the tour de force of the Philharmonic, which, since being led by Russian maestro Jurowski in 2006, has been praised for offering a richer and more dynamic sound. The conductor has particularly been praised for his interpretation of Prokofiev, and concertgoers will be able to appreciate it at all three performances. March 11 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, the orchestra will perform music by fellow countryman Walton, the Viola Concerto with Richard Yongjae O'Neill. O'Neill is recognizMar 4, 2008
Album ReviewsOriginal Cast `Hamlet' SonyBMG This is the original record of ``Hamlet,'' the Czech musical written and played by Czech singer-composer Janek Ledecky. The 2-CD package has been released to celebrate the encore performance of the Korean production of ``Hamlet'' now being performed at Theater Yong of the National Museum of Korea until April 5. The album consists of the musical scores mainly based on a strong rock sound but also mixing Euro beats, Spanish dance rhythms and jazz. The rock-tinged musical numbers emphasize dramatic tensions between the characters. This album was recorded in the Czech Republic in 2000 and will enthrall the Korean audience with its live recording of the musical. -Chung Ah-young Nodame Cantabile Special Best SonyBMG Popular Japanese drama Nodame Cantabile, based on a comic book by Tomoko Ninomiya, returned to television with a special episode aired in Japan last January. The special episode follows the adventures of gifted but kooky pianist Megumi Noda and rising conductor Shinichi Chiaki in Europe. Classical music plays a big rMar 4, 2008
Singer Im Tae-kyung’s Crossover Life, MusicBy Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter This is the third in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians. ― ED With his own radio show and hit album, and appearing onstage with artists like Sumi Jo and leading major musicals, Im Tae-kyung seems like any other successful musician. But for the 34-year-old, it took a masters degree in engineering and overcoming leukemia to pursue his passion for music, and life. Born in Korea, Im studied music at the elite Yewon School and Institute le Rosey in Switzerland. But his childhood dream was to become an engineer, so he majored in engineering at Worcestor Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts while staying in tune with a minor in music. There were numerous offers from producers to make his singing debut, but he insisted on completing his undergraduate studies. After graduating, Im decided it was time to sing, and received lessons from renowned Metropolitan Opera tenor Richard Casily for about a year. But this was no easy feat, as he had to ``beg him for three months'' to prove he was serious about music, Im said Mar 2, 2008
Album ReviewsMichael Jackson `Thriller' SonyBMG First released in the United States 25 years ago, ``Thriller'' is Michael Jackson's sixth solo album and second with producer Quincy Jones. The 25th Anniversary Edition of ``Thriller'' commemorates this groundbreaking album with seven bonus tracks. It also includes six tracks that were previously unreleased. The new tracks include exclusive remixes from Kanye West, Fergie, will.i.am and Akon, along with a previously unreleased track from the Thriller sessions, ``For All Time,'' newly mixed and mastered by Michael Jackson. The edition also includes a bonus DVD with new, digitally restored versions of the three music videos ``Thriller,'' ``Billie Jean'' and ``Beat It.'' -Chung Ah-young Amy Winehouse ``Back to Black'' (Universal) British diva Amy Winehouse recently swept the Grammy Awards, including the much-coveted Record of the Year, for her debut album ``Back to Black.'' Her retro soul music is definitely a welcome change from all the pop and hip-hop music in today's industry. The newly released deluxe edition of ``BFeb 26, 2008
Raul Midon Pushes Musical BoundariesBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The name Raul Midon may not ring a bell. But try searching for Midon's live performances on YouTube and you'll wonder why he's not yet a superstar. Midon is literally a one-man band on stage, armed with his distinctive soulful voice, while his fingers work magic on a guitar. When you have the immense talent of this man, a voice and guitar is all you need. ``I've always been a musician. I think music chooses you,'' Midon told The Korea Times. The 41-year-old blind singer has earned rave reviews for his first two albums, 2005's ``A State of Mind'' and 2007's ``A World Within a World." Being blind never stopped Midon from pursuing his dream as a musician. Midon and his twin brother were born in Embudo, New Mexico, to his Argentinean father and African-American mother. They became blind as babies, when they were placed in an incubator without proper protection for the eyes. Midon learned to play drums when he was four years old, and began playing the guitar when he was six years old. Later, he was accepted in the University of MFeb 26, 2008
Album ReviewsMary J. Blige `Growing Pains' Universal Top soul diva Mary J. Blige has come back with her eighth album which reflects her painful past, following the most successful album of her career, the triple platinum ``The Breakthrough'' in 2006. The album is a well-crafted blend of R&B, funk, pop, and strength that can only be perfected by Blige. The album includes the single ``Just Fine'' which peaked at number 22 on the billboard hot 100, while the second single and opener of the album, ``Work That,'' catches the ears of listeners. The album with Blige co-writing most of the songs, features guest appearances by Ludacris and Usher with production by The Neptunes, Jazze Pha, Johnta Austin, Neyo, Stargate, Bryan-Michael Cox, Dre and Vidal, Tricky, Dream, and Sean Garrett. -Chung Ah-young 2008 Grammy Nominees Universal The album presents 21 tracks ― a great mixture of rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, country, and even jazz ― which were all nominated for the 2008 Grammy Awards, which took place Feb. 10. This album also marks the 50th anniversary of the awards' birth. TherFeb 19, 2008
Pianist Lim Dong-hyek Emerges From Slump With BachThis is the second in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians. ― ED By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Lim Dong-hyek seems to have it all ― international competition trophies and two award-winning records with EMI under his belt before turning 20. To top it off, the 23-year-old has the cult following of a rock star in Korea. His online fan club membership exceeds 400,000 people and his sold-out recitals start emptying out before curtains close as fans make an early exit to line up outside for his autograph. It's an unprecedented popularity for a classical musician here. But in a recent Korea Times interview in Seoul, he rejected the notion of stars in classical music as well as nicknames like ``prodigy'' the public gave him. ``I mean, come on, Mozart was a true prodigy,'' he said. His denial, however, was not marked by humility but rather an unrestrained outspokenness, which kept his manager uneasy throughout the interview. Lim seemed to break just about every stereotype of a classical musician. He doesn't live and breathe music 24 hours Feb 19, 2008