Kim Sun-wook, Guy Braunstein to highlight brilliance of violin in Brahms violin sonatas

Pianist Kim Sun-wook and violinist Guy Braunstein have teamed up to perform Brahms violin sonatas in Korea this week.

Braunstein was the youngest person to be appointed concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic in 2000. He held the position for 13 years until he retired from the post at the end of the 2012-13 season to pursue solo activities. 

As a soloist, Braunstein has performed with acclaimed musicians, including conductors Sir Simon Rattle and Zubin Mehta, violinist Issac Stern, acclaimed pianists Andras Schiff, Maurizio Pollini and Yefim Bronfman as well as pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim.

Starting with a performance Thursday at Ayang Art Center in Daegu, the two classical music virtuosi will hold a total of three duo recitals in Korea. The two will perform at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju on Friday and at LG Arts Center on Saturday.

The duo, who performed together in October last year at Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin, will perform a triptych of Brahms violin sonatas, noted for their lyricism and the brilliance of the violin.

“Brahms is the composer who most honestly reveals the music of Guy and myself. These duo recitals will be performances that reflect us as we are,” pianist Kim said.

The first violin sonata “Regensonate” was finished in 1879 and dedicated to the composer’s friend Joseph Joachim, as were the two later violin sonatas. Violin Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100 continues the lyrically effusive mood of the first violin sonata, while Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108 is a large-scale, four-movement work that deviates from the mood of the first two violin sonatas.

Following the Seoul concert, Kim will return to London, where he is based, to perform Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.16 with the Philharmonia Orchestra led by cellist and conductor Chang Han-na from June 14-15 at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

By Shim Woo-hyun (ws@heraldcorp.com)