Conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin /Photo courtesy of CMIThis 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 local 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).
Pianist Yundi Li/Photo courtesy of CMI
``(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.'' >>More
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