From France to Korea: The MusicAlp Festival

Courchevel is the largest resort area in Les Trois Vallees, France. There, high in the mountains, the resorts draw the ski enthusiasts, while the MusicAlp Festival attracts classical music lovers.
The artistic directors and founders of the MusicAlp Festival, Korean violinist Kang Dong-suk and French pianist Pascal Devoyon, have been drawing professors and students from Korea, Germany and France to participate in this annual event. But the MusicAlp Festival has an international vision, and Mr. Kang and Mr. Devoyon are bringing the French-rooted festival to Korea for the second time.
On Nov. 27, Hoam Art Hall will host Korea’s edition of the Music-Alp Festival. Because this year marks the centennial of Antonin Dvorak’s death, the Czech composer is being honored with special performances.
The international performance lineup includes violinists James Buswell, Park Jae and Yang Go-woon, cellists Gary Hoffman, Cho Young-chang and Yang Sung-won, violists Kim Sang-jin, Kim Sung-eun and Anthony Devroye and pianists Pascal Devoyon, Han Tong-il, Lee Kyung-sook, Kim Dae-jin and Kim Young-ho.
Other musicians include flutists Carol Wincenc and Lee Hae-kyung, harpist Isabelle Moretti, clarinetist Kye Hee-jeong, Lee Ho-gyo on the double bass and percussionist Chang Se-na. Also performing: the Avalon String Quartet, the ICM Festival Ensemble and mezzo soprano Helene Delavault.
The festival opens at Hoam Art Hall with “La Boheme ― Gypsy Inspiration,” featuring works by Haydn, Lizst, Brahms and Doppler.
The following night’s concert is titled “Parfum de France.” The night’s performances include Debussy’s “Sonata No. 2,” with Ms. Wincenc on the flute, Kim Sang-jin on violin and Ms. Moretti on the harp. The Avalon String Quartet will also perform Ravel’s “String Quartet.”
On Nov. 29, Ms. Moretti will give a master class at 7 p.m. at Kumho Recital Hall. (This will be the festival’s only event not held at Hoam.)
The title of the Nov. 30 concert is “From Beethoven to Cassado.” A highlight will be Janacek’s String Quartet No. 1.
The Dec. 1 concert is titled “Eastern Road,” and includes works by Dvorak and Arnesky.
“Music and Literature” is the title of the Dec. 2 concert, which will include Respighi’s “Il Tramonto” with the Avalon String Quartet accompanying Ms. Delavault.
The Dec. 3 performance is titled “Soiree Cabaret” and includes works by Johann Strauss and Edith Piaf. Ms. Delavault will be singing Piaf classics like “La Vie en rose,” “Padam, padam” and “L’hymne a l’amour.”
The Dec. 4 performance is titled “Dvorak, Old and New World.” Pieces such as “Dances for Four Hands” and Dvorak’s piano trio in C minor will be performed.
The festival ends on Dec. 5 with “La Belle Epoque.” Pieces to be played include Bartok’s Quartet No 2 and Chausson’s Concert for Piano, Violin & String Quartet.

by Joe Yonghee

For more information, visit the Web site at www.hoamarthall.org. Ticket prices vary, generally ranging from 30,000 won to 50,000 won.