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| The Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra / Courtesy of DoNice |
One of France's oldest orchestras looks forward to Korean concerts
By Dong Sun-hwa
The Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, one of France's oldest orchestras that was founded in 1855, is set to perform its signature piece ― "Carmen Suite No. 1" by Georges Bizet ― at its upcoming concerts in Korea.
The orchestra will stage concerts from Dec. 16-20, with its Seoul performance taking place on Dec. 20 at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho District. Uzbekistan-born music director Aziz Shokhakimov, who became the principal conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan in 2006 at the age of 18, will lead the orchestra. French pianist Alexandre Kantorow, who is also known as "Liszt reincarnated," will join.
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| Aziz Shokhakimov, music director of the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra / Courtesy of DoNice |
"'Carmen' is the most popular French opera and I think it is our signature (piece,)" Shokhakimov said during an online press event with Korean media outlets, Thursday. "Russian music and French music are connected (to each other) and I think French composers were influenced by Russian composers like Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) and Stravinsky (1882-1971). There is a connection between 'Carmen' and Tchaikovsky as well. When he first listened to 'Carmen,' he said it would become one of the most famous operas in the future."
In addition to "Carmen," the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra is also planning to take the stage with Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 2" and Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an exhibition."
"We are looking forward to seeing the Korean audience again," Shokhakimov said. "I visited the country for the first time in August to perform with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. I was very impressed by the level of the orchestra and was also amazed by the public that was so passionate."
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| French pianist Alexandre Kantorow / Courtesy of DoNice |
Kantorow, who came to Korea twice this year for his performances, revealed that he also liked his collaboration with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.
"I was impressed by its technical level," he commented.
Kantorow, who won the first prize, gold medal and Grand Prix at the 16th International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019, said he was blown away by Korean pianist Lim Yun-chan. The 18-year-old Lim became the youngest winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in June.
"It was absolutely staggering to see Lim capture this much balance in music and have this much control over his techniques at this age," he said. "I am very interested in what he will do because I know that after a competition comes the moment that you build your character and choose the programs you are going to play."
Shokhakimov, who is one of the youngest leading conductors in the world, said his goal is to make the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra one of the best orchestras in Europe.
"For this, we will always have to give quality performances and (show) good interpretation (of music) ... I have never thought about what kind of changes I can make, but I will just go through music and I just want to bring my ideas through music. Conductors do not have their own instruments. The only instrument we have is the orchestra."
