Two Russian piano virtuosos are ready to meet Korean audiences: Vladimir Ashkenazy and Mikhail Pletnev.
Ashkenazy, whose music was a dominant influence in the late 20th century, has come back three years after he held a recital accompanied by his son Vovka Ashkenazy back in 2011. The Russian pianist will hold another concert for his Korean fans on May 27 at the Seoul Arts Center, again collaborating with his son.
The pianist was born in 1937 to a musical family, with his father being a pianist and composer and his mother being a daughter of a chorus master in the Russian Orthodox Church. Ashkenazy started playing piano at the age of 6 and when he turned eight, he made his debut on the classical scene with a striking rendition of Haydn’s piano concertos in Moscow.
In 1955, the musician came in second place at the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw and continued to sweep other prestigious competitions, including the 1956 Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels and the 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Midway through his career, in 1975 the musician switched to being a conductor. Among orchestras under his baton are such highly lauded ones such as the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the NHK Symphony Orchestra.
For his upcoming Seoul recital, Ashkenazy will play pieces that might sound familiar to Korean concert-goers. In the first half of his show, he will present the essence of German classical music, featuring Schubert’s “Hungarian Divertimento” and Brahms’ “Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn.”
In the latter half, the pianist will focus on Russian compositions, as he plays Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” Then he will be joined by his son, Vovka, and the duo will play “Polovtsian Dances” from Borodin’s opera “Prince Igor.”
To help the audience get a better understanding of each piece, Korean conductor Geum Nan-sae will be on stage and provide commentaries.
Following the Seoul concert, he will travel to Geunsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong Province) on May 31 and then to Daegu on May 31, bringing his music to fans outside of the capital.
Another Russian star will also be coming to see his Korean fans, visiting Korea for the first time in nine years. Mikhail Pletnev hasn't played piano for six years, focusing solely on his conducting and composing, and he returned to the piano last year.
The musician shot to fame in 1978 when he, then 21, won the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition. He also formed the first post-Soviet Russian orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, in 1990 and has led the orchestra up to this day for 24 years.
This is not his first recital in Korea. He performed here in 2005, with a well-received repertoire of Beethoven and Chopin pieces.
He is now coming back to show off a brand new aspect of his virtuosity in the upcoming June 1 Seoul recital at the Seoul Arts Center.
The virtuoso will perform Bach’s “English Suite No.3,” Schubert’s piano sonatas No. 4 and 13, as well as Scriabin’s “24 Preludes.”
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
jiae5853@korea.kr
Ashkenazy, whose music was a dominant influence in the late 20th century, has come back three years after he held a recital accompanied by his son Vovka Ashkenazy back in 2011. The Russian pianist will hold another concert for his Korean fans on May 27 at the Seoul Arts Center, again collaborating with his son.
Vladimir Ashkenazy is one of the most influential pianists on the stage these days. (photo courtesy of PMG Global)
The pianist was born in 1937 to a musical family, with his father being a pianist and composer and his mother being a daughter of a chorus master in the Russian Orthodox Church. Ashkenazy started playing piano at the age of 6 and when he turned eight, he made his debut on the classical scene with a striking rendition of Haydn’s piano concertos in Moscow.
In 1955, the musician came in second place at the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw and continued to sweep other prestigious competitions, including the 1956 Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels and the 1962 International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy also serves as a conductor with some of the world’s most acclaimed orchestras. (photo courtesy of PMG Global)
Midway through his career, in 1975 the musician switched to being a conductor. Among orchestras under his baton are such highly lauded ones such as the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the NHK Symphony Orchestra.
Pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy (left) and his son Vovka Ashkenazy are holding a joint recital in Seoul. (photo courtesy of PMG Global)
In the latter half, the pianist will focus on Russian compositions, as he plays Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” Then he will be joined by his son, Vovka, and the duo will play “Polovtsian Dances” from Borodin’s opera “Prince Igor.”
To help the audience get a better understanding of each piece, Korean conductor Geum Nan-sae will be on stage and provide commentaries.
Following the Seoul concert, he will travel to Geunsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong Province) on May 31 and then to Daegu on May 31, bringing his music to fans outside of the capital.
Another Russian star will also be coming to see his Korean fans, visiting Korea for the first time in nine years. Mikhail Pletnev hasn't played piano for six years, focusing solely on his conducting and composing, and he returned to the piano last year.
Pianist Mikhail Pletnev is coming to Seoul this May. (photo courtesy of Mastmedia)
The musician shot to fame in 1978 when he, then 21, won the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition. He also formed the first post-Soviet Russian orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, in 1990 and has led the orchestra up to this day for 24 years.
This is not his first recital in Korea. He performed here in 2005, with a well-received repertoire of Beethoven and Chopin pieces.
He is now coming back to show off a brand new aspect of his virtuosity in the upcoming June 1 Seoul recital at the Seoul Arts Center.
Pianist Mikhail Pletnev is serving as conductor for the Russian National Orchestra since 1990. (photo courtesy of Mastmedia)
The virtuoso will perform Bach’s “English Suite No.3,” Schubert’s piano sonatas No. 4 and 13, as well as Scriabin’s “24 Preludes.”
By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
jiae5853@korea.kr
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