SEOUL, June 02 (AJP) - The grandeur of the Seoul Arts Center came alive last Saturday night as Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra and acclaimed South Korean pianist Son Yeol-eum delivered an evening of musical collaboration. The performance, part of the NAC Orchestra's first-ever tour to South Korea, marked a highlight in the yearlong celebration of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Under the baton of Music Director Alexander Shelley, the NAC Orchestra presented a wide-ranging program, from the lush romanticism of Richard Strauss's Don Juan to the cosmic modernity of Canadian composer Kelly-Marie Murphy's Dark Nights, Bright Stars, Vast Universe. Specially commissioned by the NAC Orchestra, Murphy's piece was performed in Korea for the first time, conceived as a contemporary response to Don Juan.
"Tonight, we present to you music which brings us together and inspires us across time and across culture," Shelley said in his opening remarks. "We are very privileged to be working with one of your great artists, Son Yeol-eum."
Son performed Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major with precision and dazzling flair, capturing the emotional heart of the evening. Composed in 1929 and inspired by Ravel's trip to the U.S., the piece reflects the rapid cultural shifts of the era, delivered here through Son’s interpretation.
The concert concluded with a thunderous performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, capping a two-hour musical journey spanning from the 1800s to 2025, featuring Canadian and South Korean musicians.
Canadian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Tamara Mawhinney reflected on the evening's resonance. "What we saw tonight, the symbiosis between a Canadian orchestra and a remarkable Korean pianist, was a beautiful image for us all to take away of the bilateral warmth between our two countries. I felt tonight the strength of our friendship and partnership."
"Canada's National Arts Center is our nation's home for the performing arts, located in the country's capital city of Ottawa. Despite our long history of touring, this is our very first tour to Korea, and we are delighted to finally meet the Korean audience," said Christopher Deacon, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre.
Adding a historical dimension to the celebration, former South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin reminded attendees of Canada's sacrifice during the Korean War. "Seventy-five years ago, Canada sent more than 26,000 young men and women to defend Korea's peace and democracy during the Korean War. It was a sacrifice we Koreans will never forget," he said.
As the evening came to a close, the music served not only as entertainment but also as a bridge across continents, affirming that art, like diplomacy, resonates most deeply when shared.
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