Chamber Music Recital Sunday at Yongsan

The music world holds chamber groups in the highest esteem. In Korea, most chamber groups are composed of members of a full orchestra, and an orchestra is considered an "ensemble of potential" and "a community of instrumental musicians."

This is because it can adapt itself to various genres － overtures, concertos, symphonies － and can be split into any number of chamber groups by combining a variety of instruments.

Chamber groups give orchestra members a chance to shine. Back-seat performers who might feel unrecognized can gain confidence by playing in smaller groups. And it is easier for these smaller groups to perform at a variety of venues and promote their own orchestras. This is why a great orchestra like the Berlin Philharmonic encourages its members to play in chamber groups.

At 3 p.m. this Sunday, the Koreana Chamber Music Society will hold its seventh regular concert, in the Youngsan Art Hall.

Not surprisingly, the ensemble consists of top-class orchestra musicians. Headed by the KBS Symphony Orchestra's principal conductor, Kim Bok-soo, the chamber group was formed two years ago.

The ensemble recently added violinist Shin Seok-joon, viola players Lee Mi-kyung and Park Hyun-shin, cellist Kim Woo-jin and others, bringing the entourage to 14 members.

In Sunday's recital, Mun Ik-ju will play the piano, Woo Jee-hyun the cello, Kim Dae-won the flute, Kim Hyung-seop the oboe and Kim Dong-jin the clarinet. Other members of the group will also perform.

The program will feature Spohr's "Grand Nonet," written for a combination of string and woodwind instruments.

Other pieces will include Dvorak's "Piano Quintet in A Major" and Wolf's "Italian Serenade."

For information call 02-3474-8996.

by Lee Jang-jik