Male Vocalists to Offer Different ColorsBy Bae Keun-min Staff Reporter When it comes to the world's top classical vocalists from Korea, males used not to get as much attention as females did some 10 years ago; Korean sopranos such as Shin Young-ok, Jo Sumi and Hong Hei-kyung were in the limelight on the prestigious world opera stages. However, Korean male vocalists have started receiving more attention in Europe and the United States. Among the rising male songsters is baritone Samuel Youn. Youn, 36, will demonstrate his musical talent and techniques to home fans in his first solo concert here on June 16 at the Seongnam Arts Center in Gyeonggi Province. Youn has made regular appearances on the stage for Europe's Bayreuth Festival, dedicated to celebrated German composer Richard Wagner, since 2004. He made his name out in the classical world with awards at international competitions including Toti dal Monte Opera, Francesco Albanese, Premio Enrico Caruso, Riccardo Zandonai and Franz Schubert. After graduating from Seoul National University, Youn studied at Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi in Milan and MusikhJun 5, 2007
Gidon Kremer Returns to KoreaBy Bae Keun-min Staff Reporter Violinist Gidon Kremer and the Kremerata Baltica will return to Korea following their last visit in 2005. The 60-year-old virtuoso and the chamber orchestra will hold a concert on June 22 at the Seongnam Arts Center. Kremer has led the orchestra as the artistic director and solo violinist since he founded it in 1996. Born in Riga, Latvia in 1947, Kremer has built an international reputation as soloist and conductor since winning the First Prize in both the 1969 Paganini and the 1970 Tchaikovsky International competitions, and the third prize at the 1967 Queen Elizabeth Competition. With exceptional interpretative powers, Kremer released more than 100 recordings and received prestigious international awards for many of his albums, including the Grand Prix du Disque and Deutscher Schallplattenpreis. The orchestra, comprising 27 young musicians from Baltic nations such as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, has been acknowledged as being energetic and innovative, premiering pieces by contemporary composers from Eastern Europe. They have serveJun 5, 2007
Album ReviewJeff Buckley ``So Real: Songs From Jeff Buckley'' (SonyBMG) When Jeff Buckley tragically drowned at the age of 30 in 1997, the music world mourned the loss of a promising talented singer-songwriter. Ten years have passed since his death but Buckley's music still lives on. Old and new fans have a chance to listen to Buckley's raw but enchanting voice with this new compilation of his greatest hits. The album features 14 tracks from his two studio albums such as the ``Last Goodbye,'' ``Everyone Here Wants You'' and ``Lover, You Should've Come Over.'' It also includes a live version of ``So Real,'' recorded in a concert in Japan; and a cover version of The Smiths' ``I Know it's Over.'' -Cathy Rose A. GarciaJun 5, 2007
Japanimation Composer Kanno Yoko to Present Concert of FantasyBy Bae Keun-min Staff Reporter There will be a concert that zealots of Japanimations and video games would love to attend. Kanno Yoko, Japanese composer, arranger and musician, will hold her first concert in Korea on June 20 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. The 43-year-old artist is best known for her work on the sound tracks from such animation films as ``Cowboy Bebop'' (1998, 2001), ``Ghost in the Shell'' (2002, 2004, 2006), ``Macross Plus'' (1994), ``Vision of Escaflowne'' (1996) and ``Wolf's Rain'' (2003). Her works have also been frequently featured in video games, TV series, live-action movies and TV commercials. Kanno became a more familiar name for Koreans when she composed numbers for director Han Jae-rim's Korean flick ``The Show Must Go On'' (2006, starring Song Kang-ho) and soundtracks of the recently released massive multiplayer online role-playing game ``Ragnarok Online 2'' (2007) of Korea. Although Kanno has never been enrolled in a music institute nor received formal music education, her musical spectrum of compositions is wide, rangiJun 3, 2007
Rascher Saxophone Quartet in SeoulBy Bae Keun-min Staff Reporter The Rascher Saxophone Quartet, ``the uncrowned kings of the saxophone,'' will hold their first concert in Korea at Seoul Arts Center on June 12. The quartet was founded in the United States in 1969 by famed classical saxophonist Sigurd Rascher and his daughter, Karina. Years later, the ensemble found a new home in Germany. After a few changes in members, tenor sax Bruce Weinberger, soprano sax Christine Rall, baritone sax Kenneth Coon and alto sax Elliot Riley have developed a special musical chemistry. The group has been praised by audiences and critics. Even some 290 composers including Luciano Berio, Erik Bergman, Philip Glass, Sofia Gubaidulina and Per Norgard, were so impressed with the group's musicality to have offered songs dedicated to the quartet. The ensemble has released 17 albums so far, and their recordings have been acknowldged by such awards as France's Diapason Award. The concert will feature Bach's ``The Art of the Fugue'' (BWV 1080), Barbara Tompson's ``From Darkness into Light,'' Henry Purcell's ``Fantasia'' aMay 30, 2007
Classical Violinist Lendvay to Play Gypsy MusicBy Bae Keun-min Staff Reporter A renowned classical violinist will perform songs of gypsy souls in a series of concerts here. Hungarian violinist Jozsef Lendvay and his quintet members will return to South Korea for a concert tour from June 10 to 22. The quintet visited the nation for the first time last year and wowed the local audience. The Lendvay & Friends ensemble, comprising violinist Alexandre Afanassiev, violist Peter Menyhart, cellist Alexander Bagrintsev and double bassist Corneliu-Cosmin, will present a program of classical numbers, Russian traditional songs and Korean pop songs. The program includes Sarasate's ``Zigeunerweisen,'' Brahms' ``Hungarian Dance No. 5'' and Piazzolla's ``Libertango,'' along with such Korean songs as ``Mabeobui Seong'' (Magic Castle) by Classic and ``Na Gageodeun'' (If I Go) from the original sound track of the 2001 hit TV drama ``Myeongseonghwanghu.'' Lendvay first put his name on the map of classical world with the first prize at the 1997 Paris Tibor Varga International Violin Competition. However, he turned his sights to hisMay 29, 2007
Album ReviewsMaroon 5 `It Won't Be Soon Before Long' Universal Nearly five years after the release of their hit debut album ``Songs About Jane," Maroon 5 is finally back with ``It Won't Be Soon Before Long." The Grammy Award-winning band came up with a solid album featuring the soul-infused rock music that they became famous for. Maroon 5's first single ``Makes Me Wonder" shows influences from 1980's pop and rock music. Lead singer Adam Levine admitted the band took inspiration from artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson and Talking Heads, who were all popular in the 1980s. Standout tracks include ``Wake Up Call,'' which is similar to Maroon 5's earlier hits, and ``Back at Your Door'', a smooth, jazzy song. -Cathy Rose A. Garcia May 29, 2007
New Age Musicians in SeoulBy Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter In today's stress-filled world, New Age musicians believe their music can help heal and soothe the frayed nerves of its listeners. New Age music used to be identified with alternative beliefs regarding self-spirituality, but it is now associated predominantly with helping people relax. New Age musicians David Lanz, Suzanne Ciani, along with duo Tingstad and Rumbel are giving Korean audiences a taste of their unique, uplifting instrumental music. The concert series started Monday at the LG Arts Center in Seoul, with Lanz' ``Moon" concert. Tingstad and Rumbel performed in their ``Fire" concert on Tuesday, while Ciani will hold her ``Wave" concert tonight. In an interview with The Korea Times, Ciani said she is excited to perform in front of Korean fans for the first time. ``I'm hoping for a good connection with my audience. A lot of them know my music. I know my song 'Turning' was popular here and 'Velocity of Love.' For me, it's a chance to finally meet my fans. I'm really looking forward to it,'' she said. Ciani is known as a piMay 29, 2007
Seoul Concours to Be Held in NovemberThe door is open for young aspiring vocalists who want to vie for awards in the third Seoul International Music Competition at Seoul Arts Center from Nov. 28 to Dec. 7. The organizing committee of the competition will accept entries until June 27. Entries are limited to males who were born between Nov. 28, 1971 and Nov. 27, 1989 and females who were born between Nov. 28 1974 and Nov. 27, 1989. Six award winners will be named while the first prizewinner will be awarded $50,000. The second and the third will receive $30,000 and $20,000 respectively. Other prizes including recitals and recording chances will be arranged. Led by Guy Montavon, a total of 11 celebrated artists and vocal experts from all the world over have been appointed jurors, including soprano Cheryl Studer, tenor Giuseppe Giacomini, tenor Siegfried Jerusalem and soprano Kim Young-mi. The fourth contest will feature pianists next April and the fifth will be venue for violinists in 2009. For more information, visit www.seoulcompetition.com or call (02) 2020-0736. kenbae@koreatimes.co.kr May 29, 2007
Celebrated Pianists to Present SchubertTamas Vasary to Perform for First Time in Korea By Bae Keun-min Staff Reporter Three celebrated pianists will hold concerts featuring works by Schubert. Hungary-born Swiss virtuoso Tamas Vasary, 73, will team up with Korean pianist Kim Dae-jin, 45, for a duo recital at the Hoam Art Hall in Seoul on June 6. It will be Tamas' first visit to South Korea. They will perform three Schubert pieces _ Fantasy for Piano Four Hands in F Minor (D940), Allegro for piano Four Hands ``Lebenssturme'' (D. 947) and Sonata for Piano Four Hands in C Major ``Grand Duo'' (D. 812). Tamas, winner of the Franz Liszt Competition in 1948, is considered one of the most gifted pianists of our time. He has released over 20 recordings, among which were the complete concerti by Rachmaninov with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1977. Tamas has been Music Director of the Northern Sinfonia and Principal Conductor of the Bournemouth Sinfonietta. Kim, graduate of the Julliard School, put his name on the map after winning the first prize in the Robert Casadesus International Piano Competition in 1May 28, 2007