Programme:

Franz Liszt: Malédiction for Piano and String Orchestra, S. 121

Jisoo Lee: Jindo Arirang for Chamber Orchestra

Antonín Dvořák: Serenade for Strings in E major, Op. 22

Malédiction is one of the earlier concertante works by Franz Liszt, who in the early 1830s was an ardent admirer of the virtuosic playing of the great violinist Niccolò Paganini and endeavoured to transfer his “diabolical” style to the piano keyboard. The work is an interesting mosaic of changing moods, from the playful to the serious. Jindo Arirang by the Korean composer Jisoo Lee is a version of the popular folk song Arirang, which in Korea is considered a sort of unofficial national anthem and exists in numerous interpretations and arrangements. Antonín Dvořák’s Serenade consists of contrasting movements that combine cantabile style, a melancholy waltz, humorous high spirits, lyrical beauty and exuberance. All these works will be performed by the Korean Chamber Orchestra, the oldest ensemble of its kind in Korea, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary. Since 1979, when Seoul-and Hamburg-trained violinist, teacher and conductor Min Kim became its music director, the orchestra has gained international prestige with numerous tours throughout the world. Following a performance at the UNESCO Concert for Peace in Paris in 1999 and another at the UN in New York in 2000, the Korean Chamber Orchestra was appointed an official UN Chamber Orchestra for Peace. The violin soloist will be Esther Yoo, an American violinist of Korean heritage who trained in Belgium and Germany and has worked with conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Gustavo Dudamel and Vasily Petrenko. Also appearing will be the Korean pianist Ilia Kim, whose musical journey has taken her from studies in Berlin, Salzburg, Hanover and Imola to regular concerts in Asia, Europe and America.