By Park Jin-hai Jung Jae-wal, the new chief executive of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), has announced a master plan to revitalise one of Korea’s oldest orchestras. “This year has several anniversaries overlapping for the SPO. It marks the 80th anniversary since its founding in 1945 and the 20th anniversary of independence from the Sejong … Read more
Peltokoski, 24, conducts the opening programme of the Phil’s 51st season on September 5 and 6. It features a soloist a year younger than the Finn – Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich, who has released four albums with Deutsche Grammophon since signing with the record label at the age of 15. The programme comprises the Violin … Read more
Much repertory, and many high-profile soloists, came to Hong Kong as something of a package deal; new works in particular often fared better in the Phil’s hands, given the orchestra generally had more rehearsal time. But the single factor that changed the Philharmonic’s fortunes completely was van Zweden’s deep dive into the music of Richard … Read more
This European tour, the longest in the orchestra’s history, was now being billed as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The Hong Kong Philharmonic performed in Singapore to warm up for the European tour. Photo: Aloysius Lim The plan was to begin with a warm-up performance in Singapore, from where the orchestra would fly to … Read more
Keyboard wizardry was always on the cards given Lang Lang’s style of performance, and even for the relatively light drama found in Beethoven’s Concerto No 3, expectations for the unexpected were high. Orchestral players look on as Lang Lang performs with his typical fluid hand gestures in a passage from Beethoven’s Piano Concert No 3. … Read more
