In the upcoming autumn months, three world-class violinists will grace Seoul's concert halls with their melodious presence.

German violinists Anne-Sophie Mutter and Julia Fischer and Korean violinist Chung Kyung Wha will each stage a one-night-only performance at the Seoul Arts Center in October or November.




First to perform is Anne-Sophie Mutter, who has been among the greatest violin virtuosos for four decades.

This year marks the 40-year anniversary of her debut at the Lucerne Festival in the summer of 1976. One year after her debut, she caught the attention of conductor Herbert von Karajan (1908-1989), and at the age of 15 made her first recording with the Berlin Philharmonic under Karajan's baton. Her career has since become a legend.

For her Oct. 14 recital, Mutter has prepared a repertoire with pieces by both Classical and Romantic composers. The program features Beethoven's "Archduke" Piano Trio in B flat major (op. 97), Mozart's Violin Sonata in A major (K. 526), Respighi's Violin Sonata in B minor and Saint-Saens' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso (op. 28).

She will be performing Beethoven's "Archduke" with Kim Doo-Min, the principal cellist at the Dusseldorf Symphony. Kim is an alumni of the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation, a project that supports young, talented string soloists from around the world.

Describing Kim as "a dramatic performer with big aspirations," Mutter said that she always wanted to perform in a trio with the cellist. "Beethoven's 'Archduke' is a symbolic piece that represents the relationship between me, Kim Doo-Min and the Korean audience."





Next up is Julia Fischer, who forms part of the "violin troika of the 21st century" alongside soloists Hilary Hahn and Janine Jansen. She will be performing in Korea for the first time.

Since stepping into the limelight in the 2000s, Fischer has captivated European music critics and audiences alike with her lyrical playing and flawless technique. She began playing the violin when she was 3 years old, and she has kept up her piano playing as well, mostly for her own pleasure.

On Oct. 21, she will perform on her violin a diverse repertoire that shows off both her sensitivity and technicality as a soloist. The program includes Dvorak's Violin Sonatina in G major (op. 100), Schubert's Violin Sonatina in D major (D. 384) and Brahm's Violin Sonatina no. 3 in D minor (op. 108).

Fans of classical music are especially looking forward to Schubert's piece, as they believe Fischer's feminine and powerfully energetic way of playing her instrument makes her a perfect fit for Schubert.

For the upcoming performance Fischer will be joined by German pianist Martin Helmchen.





Finally, violinist Chung Kyung Wha will perform -- for the first time in her career -- the entirety of Bach's six sonatas and partitas for solo violin on Nov. 19.

While taking a career break in 2005 due to a finger injury, it is said that Chung persevered through the pain by listening to Bach. This season, she dedicates an entire recital to Bach, a decision that required a "devotion of body and soul," she has said.

The recital, with a program featuring three sonatas and three partitas by Bach, is a challenge for both the soloist and her audience, as the repertoire requires fearless interpretation, concentration and physical fitness. With a running time of three hours, there are two intermissions in the program.

"To me, Bach's pieces are challenges that I'm still learning to conquer in my musical journey," said Chung, describing her thoughts about the upcoming recital. "His music brings me the purest of joys, and makes me chase after it endlessly, even if everything around me were to disappear for good."

By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Credia, Vincero
hlee10@korea.kr