German orchestras to usher in the autumn

Following a number of world-class ensembles that have graced the Seoul stage this year, the month of November promises to be a much-welcomed continuation of some of the classical music world’s best. 

The Seoul Arts Center is gearing up to play host to three of Germany’s oldest and celebrated orchestras -- the Staatskapelle Dresden, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.

Chung Myung-whun & Staatskapelle Dresden

Steeped in centuries of history and tradition, the Staatskapelle Dresden, or the Dresden State Orchestra of Saxony, was first founded by Prince Elector Moritz von Sachsen in 1548, making the ensemble one of the oldest orchestras in the world.

Bringing a taste of that classical music history to Seoul, the Staatskapelle Dresden is slated to pay homage to Beethoven in the orchestra’s one-night only performance on Nov. 19 with the composer’s Symphonies No. 2 and No. 3, also known as the “Eroica.”

Wielding the baton on the podium will be Korea’s very own Chung Myung-whun, who has regularly collaborated with the German ensemble over the past decade and has been its principal guest conductor since the 2012-13 season. 

The upcoming concert will also feature a number of the SPO’s string principals.   

The Staatskapelle Dresden’s performance will be held at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall with ticket prices ranging from 70,000 won ($62) to 330,000 won. For more information, call 02-599-5743.

Andres Orozco-Estrada & Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra will take up the same concert hall of Seoul Arts Center on Nov. 21, but with a more diverse program and a younger conductor.

The ensemble, Germany’s third-oldest, is known for its outstanding arrangements of a wide range of classical styles -- from Baroque to contemporary and avant-garde.

With Chief Conductor Andres Orozco-Estrada at its helm, the orchestra’s upcoming program will feature Glinka’s “Ruslan and Lyudmila” overture, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 “Titan.” The ensemble’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto will be accompanied by local pianist Kim He-jin.

In his still budding career, the highly sought-after 37-year-old musical conductor has already worked with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Vienna and Munich Philharmonics. As of September, Orozco-Estrada has also taken on the position of principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra will be performing at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall with ticket prices range from 50,000 won to 230,000 won. For more information, call 02-599-5743.

Valery Gergiev & Munich Philharmonic Orchestra

Founded in 1893, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra is famed for having been conducted by one of the Romantic Era’s most influential composers, Gustav Mahler.

Mahler conducted the orchestra in the world premieres of his 4th and 8th symphonies, as well as the premiere of his “Das Lied von der Erde (the Song of the Earth)” in 1911.

Maestro Valery Gergiev, the newly inducted chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic, spent more than two decades as the director of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, as well as acting as principal conductor for the London Symphony. Following his conductorship this season with the orchestra, Gergiev is slated to continue as the Munich Philharmonic’s musical director.

The orchestra’s upcoming performance will feature two repertories: Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor” and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 “Pathetic.” 

Accompanying the orchestra on its rendition of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto is Korea’s own piano virtuoso, Paik Kun-woo.

The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra will hold its concert on Nov. 23 at the Seoul Arts Center. Ticket prices range from 70,000 won to 330,000 won. For more information, call 02-599-5743.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)