Spring awakens with pianissimo

Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music continues until May 22

By Lee Hyo-won

Music-making requires a wide range of expressions, from balletic pianissimos to thunderous, full-throttle oomph.

For this reason the piano is often considered “the king of instruments” since its tonal and dynamic ranges cover the full spectrum of orchestral instruments.

The piano almost always takes center stage even in chamber performances and the 6th Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music kicks off Wednesday under the theme “Pianissimo.” The event continues through May 22 to celebrate the etymology of the word “pianissimo” — “piano” — most appropriately for the bicentennial of the birth of pianist-composer Franz Liszt.

On May 16, the “Lisztomania” concert at Hoam Art Hall, near City Hall, will highlight Liszt’s chamber works not only for the piano but also for string instruments.

Fans of the Hungarian composer can also look forward to hearing the timeless etude “La Campanella” as part of the “Paris Story” concert on Friday. The concert, to be held at Sejong Chamber Hall, Gwanghwamun, will also feature exciting four-piano performances.

The opening concert Wednesday at the same venue will celebrate not only Liszt but other pianist-composers such as Erik Satie. Famed pianists Pascal Devoyon, Suh Hai-kyung and Ian Young-wook Yoo will take the stage.

The evening will see a rare offering here of music that Francis Poulenc wrote for Jean Anouilh’s play “Leocadia.” Musical actress Sohyun Sofia Kim will sing for the occasion.

In addition to theatrical pieces, the festival will showcase a special dance performance on Saturday at Seoul Arts Center. The Korea National Ballet Company will stage the beautiful “Adagio” from “Swan Lake” to a chamber arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s orchestral score.

Concertgoers will have a chance to hear performances not only on Steinways but also the pianoforte, the 18th-century precursor of the modern piano.

Reputed London-based pianoforte expert Melvin Tan will hold a concert titled “Keyboard Variations” at Sejong Chamber Hall on May 20. The program includes the world premiere of “Chunbun” by Hong Sung-ji, which won the festival’s inaugural competition for original compositions.

“The Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music has emerged as Korea’s foremost chamber music event as well as a special place where musicians from all over the world can build friendships through music,” said the festival.

This year, the event invites 57 premiere artists from near and far, including its artistic director and violinist Kang Dong-suk; veteran pianist Han Tong-il; Ralf Gothoni, a prolific pianist, chamber musician and conductor from Spain; and star cellists Jian Wang, Yang Sung-won and Young Song (Song Young-hoon).

This year also sees participation by the Goldner String Quartet from Australia and Germany’s Trio Avodah, which Yehudi Menuhin once praised as representing “the very essence, the heart of music.”

Meanwhile, a sideline fringe festival will continue in venues all over the city through May 31. Amateur chamber musicians have been invited to perform everywhere from the streets of Insa-dong to department stores and the National Museum of Korea, Yongsan.

For more information about the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music and the Fringe Festival, visit www.seoulspring.org (Korean and English).