Chamber music fest offers solace for the forlorn

With spring finally here, it is time to sit back, relax and listen to music. The Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music will be held from May 14-26 at various spots in Seoul, bringing noted musicians from around the world to perform one of the most intimate genres of classical music under the theme of “Far from Home.”

Music written by composers who stayed far away from their homelands will be interpreted by musicians who are always on the road performing.

Featured musicians include violinist Kang Dong-suk, who has served as the musical director of the festival since 2006, pianist Peter Jablonski from Sweden, French cellist Jerome Pernoo, Russian cellist Natalia Gutman, Moscow-born violinist Alexander Kagan, and Korean piano prodigy Lee Hyuk. 

The Tokyo String Quartet will also perform.

“It seems that the great musicians seem to have enjoyed their lifelong journey. The great Mozart once said he will not accept any job if the employer does not allow him to take trips every two years,” the organizer said.

The opening concert, “Globetrotters,” will be held at the Sejong Chamber Hall in Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on May 14 at 7:30 p.m., featuring pieces by Mozart, Poulenc, J.Cras and Dvorak.

The following concerts will be held at the Sejong Chamber Hall, Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall and IBK Chamber Hall and at an outdoor stage at Deoksugung Palace. The audiences will be taken to explore the musical world of European expatriates in Vienna, America, Paris, Tokyo, Russia and others. 

“Family Concert ― The Melting Pot, East & West” on May 17 at the Seoul Arts Center will feature traditional or folk music of Korea, Ireland, and Spain, and others. On May 19, the Korean Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Wagner, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Haydn, Mozart, Shostakovich and Verdi will fill the air at an outdoor stage installed at Deoksugung Palace in downtown Seoul.

The grand journey will wrap up on May 26 with “Wanderer Odyssey” at the IBK Chamber Hall featuring the works of Mozart, E.Bax, Weber and Brahms.

Ticket prices range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won. Tickets can be purchased at www.interpark.com, www.ticketlink.com, www.lotte.com, www.sacticket.co.kr, www.clubbalcony.co.kr and www.yes24.com. For more information. call (02) 720-3933.

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