By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
This is the 14th in a series of interviews with the next generation of classical musicians ― ED
Youthful musicians are making their way to Korea. Thirty three-year-old conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin and Chinese ''superstar'' Li Yundi, 26, will perform in Seoul June 25.
''I am 33. Working with the best orchestras and going to all the great countries, including Korea, I mean, I am living my own dream,'' said Nezet-Seguin in an e-mail interview. He knew he wanted to become a conductor at age 10, and he is visiting Seoul as the new principal conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.
''This is my first big tour. Rotterdam Philharmonic is an orchestra that is very, very special in the European landscape. (It possesses an) extraordinary energy and you don't find this always in other orchestras. It's important to show the world what we are able to do,'' he said.
The concert will be a rare treat for concertgoers, as it features Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2. Li recently recorded a deeply affecting, lyrical rendition of the concerto with the Seiji Ozawa-led Berlin Philharmonic (Deutsche Grammophon).
''(Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2) is different and special. Not so many people play it, unlike Prokofiev 3rd,'' said Li in an email. ''Yet, it is a wonderful work. The technique side especially is challenging and different, with two cadenzas in the first and last movements.''
Maestro Ozawa hailed the pianist for his technical brilliance and rare display of poeticism. Nezet-Seguin, a concert pianist himself, also gave his compliments. ''The concerto is known for its difficulty. Prokofiev composed this piece when his friend committed suicide. Yundi made it easy to listen to, exhibiting a great sense of energy throughout. He is able to sustain the energy and transmit it to the audience,'' he said, adding how he's happy to have a new friend as well.
''I performed with (Nezet-Seguin) in Canada and he surely is a special conductor,'' said Li. ''Both being young artists, I want to try some special project with him in the future.''
At 18, Li became the world's youngest and China's first winner of the 14th Frederick Chopin International Piano Competition. But that would be his last competition. ''Competition is a challenge for a young artist to start as a musician. After (Chopin) I was able to start my professional career, such as recording,'' he said. Li went on to make critically acclaimed Chopin and Liszt albums (Decca and Deutsche Grammophon). He has a solid fan base here and gave two Romantic concerts. The Prokofiev signals a new repertoire.
Also included in the program is Ravel's ''La Valse.'' The French music reflects a new direction for the Rotterdam Philharmonic under Nezet-Seguin, a French-Canadian. Called a ''young Simon Rattle'' (the maestro also conducted the Rotterdam Philharmonic in his youth), he succeeds Valery Gergiev.
About succeeding ''the master and genius Gergiev,'' he said, ''I am now responsible but I try to keep the great tradition of this fantastic orchestra. But I will also try to broaden the repertoire.''
Inspirational Power of Music
Nezet-Seguin expressed deep affinity for his ensemble. ''Rotterdam was heavily destroyed in World War II, more than Amsterdam because it was such an important port and commercial center. That explains why the city always positioned itself as being very modern and looking for the future because it has been able to rebuild itself.
''The motto of the city is 'Rotterdam Dare,' and the orchestra is extremely daring. For me it's very moving and such a great honor to be the successor of all the (great conductors). At the same time I feel privileged that the musicians chose me to do this job, I feel legitimate and also confident I have something to say and to give to them,'' he said.
''I started as a choral conductor so voice is very much my influence. I think it's normal because the human voice is at the basis of every music. Even in orchestras you always ask violins and flutes to sing,'' he said. He collaborated with many singers, like soprano Renee Fleming and Korean-Canadian countertenor David Dong Qyu Lee.
The Rotterdam Philharmonic symbolizes the resurrection of a destroyed city. Li, a native of Sichuan, China, expressed his heartbreak the best way he could for the May earthquake. He cancelled European concerts to perform in a charity event in Beijing during the last week of May.
On a brighter note, he expressed excitement about the upcoming Beijing Olympics and his wish to incorporate Asian themes in his music. ''Classical music is the most important thing in my life. Literally, I live with it. At this moment, I want to continue as a pianist. I want to try more pieces and repertoires. Especially, I would like to put my hands on pieces composed by Chinese conductors to promote China and also Chinese folk music,'' he said.
Despite his deep affection for his homeland, however, Li thinks that race isn't an issue in classical music _ ''Music is an international language.''
This ''universal language'' is reaching out to a wider audience in China, where Li rose to superstardom. His good looks landed him modeling roles in various advertisements. ''I like to bring people, especially our young generation to music. I always think about ways to bring young people to concerts,'' he said.
Li currently lives in Beijing and frequents New York. After the Asia tour with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, he will give concerts at Carnegie Hall and Amsterdam. Nezet-Seguin will be appearing in the opening performance of the Salzburg Festival in Austria, the cream of the crop among world music festivals.
The concert will take place at 8 p.m., June 25 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, located near exits 1 and 8 of Gwanghwamun station on subway line 5. Tickets cost 40,000-130,000 won. Call (02) 518-7343.
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr