(Korea Times Photo by Shim Hyun-chul)Having recently released the country’s first recording of Beethoven’s complete cello sonatas, cellist Yang Sung-won and pianist Pascal Devoyon will give a rare marathon performance in Seoul, Nov. 4, along with shorter concerts in other cities. Before the two musicians begin their cross-country concert tour, Yang sat down with The Korea Times to discuss music and life, and stepping toward his dreams, in a coffee shop near a Seoul park. Tuesday.
Beethoven’s cello pieces are the first sonatas in the history of music to treat the cello as an equal partner for the piano. Recording the deaf maestro’s complete sonatas is meaningful in that one can ruminate the very essence of his life and works.
``For both Pascal and I, this kind of project (signifies) approaching one or two steps closer to our dreams. (Beethoven’s) pieces are like utopia -- you read about it, you study about it, perform it and you understand the piece. You can have your own utopia in your mind,’’ said the 40-year-old, with eyes glimmering. ``And when you’re performing it, the reality always walks along with us.’’
Yang is internationally renowned as a soloist and chamber musician, performing in prestigious concert halls in all corners of the world. A graduate of the Paris Conservatory and Indiana University, he currently lives in Seoul and teaches at Yonsei University School of Music.
``When the project came up (working with Pascal Devoyon) was an obvious and evident choice because our musical goals are in the same direction,’’ he said. Yang and Devoyon have been well acquainted, having attended music festivals together in France and Korea for the past six or seven years.
``And Pascal is somebody that I respect and admire a lot, as a pianist, as a musician and above all as a scholar as well,’’ said the cellist. Devoyon is a renowned pianist, appearing on stage with major world orchestras. He received the French government’s prestigious l’Ordre du merite as Chevalier in 2001 and currently teaches at the Berlin University of the Arts.
Beethoven’s five sonatas represent all of what is commonly considered his three periods, from the Classic period, when he was searching to find his own identity to get away from the shadow of Mozart and Hayden, and to have his own musical world; from the Romantic period, when Beethoven achieved his highest artistic goals; and finally the Spiritual period, ``where he really reaches out in his inner feelings and translates that into the art, which is called music,’’ said Yang.
When asked about what music means to him, he said, ``I was born in a musical family,’’ and explained that his father and older brother were both violinists. ``So from as far as I can remember back, we’ve had music in the house.
``Obviously, it’s my profession, but it’s a profession that I cannot live without.’’ Yet, he pointed out that as a performer it is a ``a constant challenge,’’ explaining that ``when the composer has completed his piece, for me that’s 50 percent complete. It’s exactly at the moment we’re performing it’s being complete… It’s our duty to be up to the level of the pieces we’re completing. In other words we try our best.’’
Despite having award winning recordings and a string of critically acclaimed performances under his belt, the cellist was very humble and emphasized repeatedly the importance of being earnest and keeping in shape.
Marathon Concert
Classical music buffs should not miss this occasion to spend almost half a day at an art hall, with two and a half hours -- plus alpha -- of Beethoven. Music critic Yoo Hyeong-jong will give the audience a brief historical background about Beethoven’s time and insight about the maestro as a human being. After an hour of the first two sonatas, a 15-minute intermission and the third piece, the audience can go on a one-hour dinner break to come back for the last two sonatas. The Mozart and Handel variations are ready as encore pieces, said Yang, if the audience is still willing to listen. So make sure to cheer on.
``There’s nothing to be scared of, to either digest the music they hear or rest a bit,’’ added Yang. ``We very much hope the audience will be actually witnessing the work being completed, and share with them -- I say share because we’re not just giving it to them, we’re playing for ourselves, too,’’ he said with a big hearty laugh.
The marathon performance will take place at LG Art Center, southern Seoul, beginning 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. Tickets cost 30,000 won-60,000 won. The hall is located near exit 7 of Yeoksam subway station on line 2. Call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com for reservations and information.
Yang and Devoyon will give three shorter performances outside of Seoul, Monday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m., at Gimhae Art & Sports Center (www.gasc.or.kr); Wednesday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m., at Daegu Suseong Artpia (ssartpia.or.kr); and Tuesday, Nov. 6, 11:00 a.m. at Changwon Sungsan Art Hall (www.sungsan.or.kr). The repertoire will vary for each performance, so visit the Web sites for each respective concert hall near you. You can also call (02) 2187-6222.
Yang and Pascal will take their marathon concert to Japan next spring, but it will be a two-day concert this time.
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