Renowned Russian orchestras to perform in Seoul

Vladimir Fedoseyev, music director of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio, will lead the ensemble in a program featuring Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich on Oct. 23 at the Seoul Arts Center. / Courtesy of Vincero

Russia is not only the birthplace of some of the world’s greatest composers and instrumentalists, but also the home of magnificent orchestras.

Local classical music fans will have a unique opportunity in the coming weeks to hear four world-renowned Russian orchestras. They come from two great cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, and will present programs filled with the best of Russian masters, including Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Rachmaninov.

The most well-known is the Valery Gergiev-led Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, bringing with them a program of works by Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Prokofiev.

Founded in 1860, the Mariinsky Theater is a historic theater of opera and ballet that consists of 17 conductors, 240 orchestra members, 126 opera singers, 77 ballet dancers and 114 choir members.

Gergiev is music director of the orchestra as well as general director of the theater, making him one of the most powerful cultural figures in Russia. He is also the music director of the London Symphony Orchestra. Under Gergiev, the Mariinsky Orchestra has become one of the leading symphony orchestras in Russia.

Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra

The Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra will perform its first part of the Korean tour on Nov. 6 at Seoul Arts Center, playing Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1 in F Minor and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E Minor. In the second part of the concert, Korean pianist Son Yeol-eum will perform Shostakovich’s Concerto for Piano and Trumpet and String Orchestra No. 1 in C Minor.

Shostakovich’s first symphony is a unique work that features solo parts of the cello and piano and is regarded as one of his most original works, although it was written when the genius composer was only 19 years old.

The highlight of this program will be Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony, which has been a favorite repertoire of Gergiev. For those interested in a preview of Gergiev’s interpretation of this piece, check out his 1999 Philips live recording with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Russian orchestras are not readily associated with German masters like Beethoven or Brahms, but Gergiev has chosen Brahms for the second day of his Korean tour.

On Nov. 7, the orchestra will play Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 in B Flat Major. Gergiev has invited the 18-year-old piano prodigy Cho Sung-jin, who is currently studying in Paris, to collaborate with him in a performance of the Prokofiev Concerto No. 1 in D Major in the latter half of this concert.

While in Seoul, the orchestra will also accompany performances of “Swan Lake” by the Mariinsky Ballet Company the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 12-13.

Son and Cho won second and third prize, respectively, in the piano division at the 2011 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, where Gergiev serves as head of the organizing committee.

Tickets for the orchestra’s two concerts range from 70,000 to 270,000 won. Call (070) 8680-1277 or visit www.mastmedia.co.kr.

Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio

Originally founded as the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1930, it served as the official symphony for the Soviet All-Union Radio network. It is the oldest orchestra in Moscow and many of the members have been in the orchestra for more than 20 years.

Tchaikovsky has played a central role in this orchestra’s repertoire.

Led by Vladimir Fedoseyev since 1974, the orchestra will play a program of Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 in E minor on Oct. 23 at Seoul Arts Center. Korean violinist Clara Jumi Kang will be the soloist in the concerto.

Tickets range from 50,000 to 200,000 won. Call (02) 599-5743 or visit www.vincero.co.kr

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Founded in 1951, the orchestra came to prominence under the direction of Kiril Kondrashin under whom it premiered Shostakovich’s Fourth and 13th symphonies as well as other works.

The orchestra’s guest principal conductor Yuri Botnari will lead a performance of the Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2 and Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphony at the Baekryong Art Center at the Kangwon National University. Russian pianist Mikhail Petuhov is the soloist.

Tickets range from 50,000 to 100,000 won. Call (02) 3453-2466 or visit www.bravocomm.co.kr.

St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra

The two performances of this orchestra will feature one of the most active Russian pianists on the stage today.

To some Koreans, he is remembered as the pianist that beat Korean Chung Myung-whun to win the 1974 Tchaikovsky Competition. Chung won the second place.

Gavrilov’s international career was launched after this competition.

On Nov. 24, the orchestra will play Tchaikovsky’s fifth symphonies and Rachmaninov’s second piano concerto at Seoul Arts Center. On Nov. 25, they will play Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto and Tchaikovsky’s fourth symphony.

Tickets range from 50,000 to 200,000 won. Call (02) 3453-2466 or visit www.bravocomm.co.kr. <The Korea Times/Do Je-hae>

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