Simon Rattle on contemporary music and future

There is no doubt that Sir Simon Rattle is the Midas of the classical music circle. He invigorated the British regional City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and raised its name to an international level. Most recently, he has expanded the musical realm of the Berliner Philharmoniker since becoming its chief conductor and artistic director in 2002.

From Bach to the contemporary Bruckner and Pierre Boulez, the maestro, who is said to “know what and why of the orchestra,” has brought a breath of fresh air to the 120-year-old establishment.

Showing Korean fans what it takes to be the BPO, the orchestra on Monday performed Schumann’s Symphony No. 1; Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1; and Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” On Tuesday it will stage Boulez’s “Notation Pour Orchestra” and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7.

“The basis of all our music is that everything should be contemporary. It is to play Bach as if it were written yesterday and to play Boulez or Unsuk Chin as if they have been played for centuries,” Rattle said on Monday at a press conference held before the concert, explaining the rather contemporary program for Seoul.

He labeled Bruckner’s dark texture as “roast meat” and likened Notation’s immediate, spicy and extremely intelligent taste to kimchi. He also contrasted the romantic atmosphere of Schumann with the fiery Russian Stravinsky.

Rattle seemed excited about more contemporary music to come.

“This has been a fantastic time for contemporary music. There are more types of music than ever and composers reflect that. You don’t have any idea what young, contemporary composers will come up with in the future, whether they reflect World Wide Web, their countries, popular music, aboriginal culture,” he said.

Rattle said he is ready to meet with talented young musicians around the world. At the BPO’s Seoul concerts, the group’s first concertmaster Daishin Kashimoto ― whom Rattle hails as “sensationally good” ― will accompany the Prokofiev piece. Additionally, two Koreans, bassoonist Jang Hyun-sung and oboist Ham Kyung, have joined the Seoul tour as members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Academy. Rattle said the two have shown good concentration throughout the preparation of the repertoire that isn’t at all easy.

“We simple choose people with merit. Race, gender and even species do not matter. If some animal can play wonderfully, we’d like to play with them,” he joked.

He has his eyes on Asia, one of the fastest growing markets for classical music. “There are more and more wonderful Asian musicians out there. We are selfish, and we would like to play with them,” he said.

Rumors have been mushrooming around the British conductor, who announced his willingness to leave the BPO when his contract expires in 2018. Several internationally acclaimed orchestras, including the London Symphony, are said to be already vying to have him, even though he still has five more years with the BPO.

Rattle refused to confirm any rumors, admitting that media speculation has been intense.

“It’s nice to know that people think I have a future,” he joked.

The 58-year-old went on to cite the Beatles classic, “When I’m 64.”

“Will you still want me when I am 64? That will be the question,” he laughed.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)