Artistic Director Son Yeol-eum unveils theme, program for 16th Music in PyeongChang
Music in PyeongChang's artistic director Son Yeol-eum speaks during a press conference in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Music in PyeongChang
Artistic Director Son Yeol-eum talks about this year's installment of the annual music festival
By Anna J. Park
This year marks the 16th installment of Music in PyeongChang (MPyC), formerly known as the PyeongChang Music Festival, or Great Mountains Music Festival, and the annual summer classical music event's theme and detailed program have been unveiled.
World-renowned pianist Son Yeol-eum, the annual music festival's artistic director, announced Tuesday that this year's theme will be “A Different Story,” presenting 12 main music concerts along with scores of other special concerts and master classes.
“I hoped to awaken somewhat different and fresh perspectives on the music concerts and festival; just as when we say it's a different story during our colloquial conversations, it conveys subtle nuances of curiosity or originality to listeners,” Son said during a press conference held Tuesday in Seoul.
It is Son's second year as artistic director of the annual music festival, which set in the beautiful mountainous region of PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, in the nation's east. The location became globally known with the hosting of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics early last year. Most of the main concerts will be held at Alpensia Concert Hall within Alpensia Resort in PyeongChang, while special concerts and outreach concerts will take place at diverse venues around Gangwon Province.
Music in PyeongChang's artistic director Son Yeol-eum speaks during a press conference in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Music in PyeongChang
This year's 10-day music festival starts on July 31 with a main concert titled “Once Upon a Time,” featuring contemporary works such as Russian composer Shchedrin's “Three Shepherds,” as well as Enescu's “Legend,” and Schubert's “Die Forelle” (Trout) or “Piano Quintet in A major.”
“Shchedrin explained his piece was composed by thinking about the sounds of nature that he heard by a brook. I chose it as the opening piece of the festival, as I thought this music fits the ambiance of the music festival very well,” Son said.
Another main concert on Aug. 2 presents Beethoven's five Sonatas for Piano and Cello, marking the 250th birth anniversary of the iconic German composer next year. It aims to show Beethoven's musical transformations throughout his life. The following day's concert delves into the theme of death, despair and endings, with Prokofiev's “Piano Concerto no.2” and Tchaikovsky's “Symphony no.5.”
Aug. 6's main concert also draws attention. Under the title of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the concert presents diverse classical masterpieces inspired by gypsy melodies and literature, such as Dvorak's “Slavonic dance in E minor no.2,” Kreisler's “Gypsy Caprice,” and Ravel's “Tzigane,” among others.
The festival ends on Aug. 10 with a concert titled “Happily Ever After,” presenting Berlioz' “Symphonie Fantastique,” marking the 150th anniversary of the death of the French composer.
Music in PyeongChang's artistic director Son Yeol-eum speaks during a press conference in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Music in PyeongChang
Since the 33-year old pianist took the helm of the annual festival last year, classical music fans express high expectations for this year's program. She received enthusiastic reviews from audiences and the press for creating an original program for last year's festival, with lots of her own writings in the program book.
“Classical music is abstract and hard to define, so I think the music's delivery and understanding will be much more enhanced, when accompanied with good writings. That's why I put much effort in making the festival's program book,” she said.
She also put emphasis on contemporary music showcases during the festival. All six contemporary composers, including Ivan Vukosavljevic, Alexandre Kordzaia and James Alexandropoulous-McEwan, present their music pieces for about an hour each. All showcases are free to attend.
“Contemporary music is the area in which I have a sense of mission along with my passion,” she said.
The festival's own orchestra, which Son organized last year, also draws much expectations and attention. The orchestra has gathered talented Korean musicians who are active in the European classical music scene; most of them are current members of prestigious European or American philharmonics, such as violinist Park Ji-yoon, the concertmaster of the Radio France Philharmonic, violinist Lee Ji-hye of the Bayern Radio Symphony Orchestra, oboist Ham Kyeong of Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and English horn player Hong Ki-hoon of the Konzerthaus Orchestra.
As a Gangwon Province native, Son also hopes the festival could bring musical benefits to the region as well.
“It is one of my top priorities to close distances with the locals in Gangwon Province. As I was born and raised here, I know how the residents feel. That's why we have prepared 12 outreach concerts, all taking place in various venues around the province. To improve psychological closeness, most of the concerts are held not in concert halls, but at various regional attractions,” she said.