Masters of Classic to Bless World Cup

*Murray Perahia Piano Recital*

He once suffered from finger injury in the 1990s. Other people would have been driven to despair, but he studied Bach’s world of composition everyday and widened his musical horizon along with the finger’s recovery.

One of the world’s best contemporary pianists, Perahia, is to perform Beethoven’s Sonata No.27 in E minor, Schubert’s Sonata No.20 in A major, and Chopin’s Ballade No.2 and 3 during the recital.

*Kennedy Concerto*

“I’ll come if you show me World Cup.”

This is what Nigel Kennedy abruptly said to one of domestic concert authorities in 1999, who had been negotiating for his performance. Although the sponsor has changed now, he is coming during the World Cup performance period, as if he is remembering what he had said before. He is a 46 year-old `childish adult`, who has been called `punk on stage` due to his strange hairstyle and exceptional stage performance.

As a British-born, he was taught by one of the most renowned violinists, Dorothy DeLay, and once retired from classic in 1992 but came back in 1997. He is often accused of neglecting traditional technique of classical music, but his new style of musical interconnection and tone has earned great fame. He is to perform Beethoven’s concerto in D major and Vivaldi’s `Four Seasons`, accompanied by KBS Symphony Orchestra.

*Berlin Phil’s 12 Cellists*

World’s renowned orchestra Berlin Phil Harmony’s 12 cellists are to deliver an ensemble. They have been adding `casual` image upon the Berlin Phil Harmony’s formal image by playing a wide repertoire of popular music, from Beatles to Armstrong. Although their rarity has reduced due to frequent visit, soft repertoire of `Pink Panther` and `Mysterious Fuga` will keep the audience at ease.

*7 Musicians*

Chamber music performance of great musicians, including pianists Jung Myeong-Hoon and Yefim Bronfman, violinists Schlomo Mintz and Daishin Kazimoto, cellists Mischa Maisky and Cho Young-Chang, and violist Yuri Bashmet. This is an `international version` of the `7 Men`, which has been performed every year by mostly domestic musicians. Great attention is, especially, on the best violist in history, Bashmet, who will be visiting for the first time. Performance will include Brahms’ piano-quintet No.34 and Shostakovich’s piano-quartet No.2.

*Alagna and Gheorghiu Duo*

Roberto Alagna is famous of his title, `the 4th Tenor`, and his wife Angela Gheorghiu is also a top-class soprano. Their performance is attracting great attention, as it has recorded the most expensive entrance, 300,000 won, in the history of classical concerts. As analysts have been saying that `the two have good sound, expression, and looks, but lack `the shot` to make a blast`, their actual charisma on stage is to be watched thoroughly. They will sing famous duets and arias from Verdi’s `La Traviata`, including `Parigi, o cara`, accompanied by Korean Symphony Orchestra conducted by Anton Guadagno.

*New York Phil Harmony Orchestra*

160 years as `the U.S. symphony’s pride`. It is also German master Kurt Masur’s last concert in his last season. Helen Hwang, a prodigy who surprised the Korean audience in 1995 as a 11 year-old pianist, has come back as a matured 18 year-old to perform Shostakovich’s piano-concerto No.2 (July 1). Main program on the 1st consists of Beethoven’s symphony No.3 `Hero`. On the 2nd, overture of Wagner’s `Tannhauser` and Mahler’s symphony No.1 are to be performed.

Yoon-Jong Yoo gustav@donga.com