Mature Talent and Manner… 6 Encores

`Inner maturity over the years` `Tenderness rather than youth’s sharpness`… Such expressions are often `protection speech` covering for decline of technique over aging. But for Jung Kyung-Hwa, such expressions mean what the words literally say.

Her recital, which was held at Seoul Arts Center on the 20th, proved so through her passionate performance of Szymanowski’s `Nocturne and Tarantella`. More mature Rubato (freely slowing and pulling beats) and perfect control over speed created colorful musical tones.

Much anticipated Brahms’ Sonata 1 progressed much faster than expected, and also than what EMI recording introduced. However, the rubato that maturely controlled the beats made it so that there was no sense of rushing. Second half of the first movement and the second movement, different expressions of wide range over carefully controlled bowing was not something to be heard at any recording.

The master, who spent a generation on the stage, was also No.1 in stage manner. The recital was held in the midst of continuing news of severe colds. As the first movement of Brahms’ Sonata ended, the audience all started coughing. When she hesitated and made an expression and gesture as if she was saying, ¡°Oh, poor you¡°, the audience fell in laugher. Warmer atmosphere surrounded the stage and the audience.

On the day, Jung gave out 6 encores, including Poldini’s `dancing doll`. The line, which was waiting for autograph after the recital, crowded the lobby in several layers.

Yoon-Jong Yoo gustav@donga.com