A romantic Seoul debut for the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

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A romantic Seoul debut for the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Eighteen fifty-four was a difficult year for Johannes Brahms. His fellow musician, friend and inspiration, Robert Schumann, had attempted suicide by throwing himself into the icy waters of the Rhine. Fished out, Schumann had been committed to an insane asylum, the very one in which, two years later, he would die. The same year, Brahms would begin work on a composition for two pianos. But he grew dissatisfied at the limitations posed by the twin pianos. Strings entered; soon more instruments lent their voices. It was not until 1859 that the full work was realized, as Brahms’s First Piano Concerto, Opus 15. According to Brahms’s closest advisor, the violinist and composer Joseph Joachim, the pain of those early years lingers throughout the final composition. But that was speculation, forwarded through music history perhaps due to the desire to ensure that the Sturm und Drang of the Romantic era is firmly in place in Brahms’s moody, sweeping work. Now, 150 years later, the music is all that is left to speak. When the concerto begins, the orchestra immediately asserts itself, pulling the listener through turbulent D-minor landscapes, outlining the first musical idea of the great work. It is only at a moment when the momentum seems to take a brief pause that the piano, the starring player, enters ― not proudly, triumphantly, but as a breath, an afterthought. Brahms was a young upstart when he began the concerto, having no substantial work to show as yet. No symphonies, no concertos; merely several piano pieces and a few songs. The piano’s entry into the young composer’s first concerto shows a tentativeness approaching the apprehensive. In 1853, Robert Schumann wrote of Brahms’s entry into the musical world, “May the highest Genius strengthen him for this...we welcome him a powerful fighter.” But even powerful fighters must begin somewhere. Another historic premiere is on hand this weekend: The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will make its debut in Korea at the Seoul Arts Center on Sunday. The orchestra, under the baton of Chung Myung-whun, will interpret Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1, along with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1. Set to tackle the concerto is the pianist Paik Hae-sun, no stranger to Brahms. The orchestra, originally based in Nagoya, was founded in 1911. With 166 members, it is the largest orchestra in Japan, and one of the two most renowned. Mr. Chung has worked with the France Radio Philharmonic and the Asia Philharmonic, among many conducting posts. He is a special advisor for the Tokyo Philharmonic, which he conducted in Japan in 2001. Unlike the piano in the Brahms, entering softly, unsure of its new surroundings, there is certainly no need for Sunday’s performers of the piece to feel any apprehension. By Jason Zahorchak / Contributing Writer The Seoul Arts Center is located in Seocho district, southern Seoul. Take subway line No. 2 to Seocho station. Tickets range from 30,000 won ($25.50) to 120,000 won. For tickets, call (02) 518-7343 or go to www.ticketlink.co.kr.
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