With a group of energetic boy musicians, maestro Chung Myung-whun will wield the baton for the Boystown Symphony Orchestra in a charity concert in August.
The fundraising concert is expected to strike an emotional cord with the audience as Chung’s youngest son Min, 23, will accompany his father and will also swing the baton for the orchestra while the 54-year-old musician appears on stage as a soloist.
Internationally acclaimed as a virtuoso, Chung has conducted the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic. He will now guide a group of children from Boystown, a welfare center in Busan run by the Sisters of Mary who provide a loving home, education and medical care for boys aged between three and 18 years.
Concert to Strike an Emotional Cord
The Boystown Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1979 under poor conditions __ lacking a proper rehearsal space and even decent instruments. But propelled by the determination of the Sisters of Mary, the orchestra has since gone on to perform with world-class musicians such as violinist Sarah Chang.
``We wanted the children to develop lifelong talents, whether it be a sport, instrument or drawing,’’ Sister Kim Sophia, the head of Boystown in Busan and high school principal, told reporters during a private luncheon on Thursday at a restaurant in Insa-dong, northern Seoul.
``By participating in the orchestra, the children have developed concentration, cooperation and endurance,’’ Kim said. ``It also greatly helps the boys’ emotional growth.’’
Kim added that some 10 former members of the Boystown orchestra have continued on to join the country’s city orchestras, such as the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Others who were recruited to work at Samsung Group became part of the Samsung Philharmonic Orchestra.
The boys of Boystown were elated when Chung visited them in November 2005. Since then, the conductor and his son have guided the young musicians to play Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 1-4 in small concerts.
Classical music transcends aesthetics and possesses a depth that musicians must strive to fathom, explained Chung. In doing so, technique and talent are important, but fine-tuning the very spirit is crucial. In terms of spirit, Chung said at the luncheon that the children of Boystown are unmatched. ``They possess an incredible purity and balance.’’Furthermore it’s great, he said, if musicians try hard enough to demonstrate 50 to 60 percent of their fullest potential. It’s outstanding if they manage to get 70 percent.
``Of course you cannot compare these amateur musicians with students fully committed to studying music.’’ The musician expressed concern that many music students focus too much on the drive for success rather than searching for their own voice.
From Father to Son
The conductor is also famous for the Chung Trio with his sisters, celebrated cellist Myung-wha and violinist Kyung-wha. Now his youngest son has entered the classical music scene.
At the fundraising concert, Chung Min will conduct the Beethoven Triple Concerto, Op.56 with his father at the piano. Chung Myung-whun will then guide the boys to perform Beethoven’s 5th Symphony ``Destiny” in C minor, Op.67. Chung Min studied music and literature at the Lycee Internationale Racine in France and currently majors in instrumental music and violin at Seoul National University.
At the fundraising concert, Chung Min will conduct the Beethoven Triple Concerto, Op.56 with his father at the piano. Chung Myung-whun will then guide the boys to perform Beethoven’s 5th Symphony ``Destiny” in C minor, Op.67. Chung Min studied music and literature at the Lycee Internationale Racine in France and currently majors in instrumental music and violin at Seoul National University.
``It’s not (Min’s) `debut’ as a conductor per se,’’ Chung insisted about his son’s musical career. ``It’s more along the lines of volunteering and a part of his studies, so we’ll have to see. He’s not unfit (to become a conductor),’’ the father said rather humbly, but with much affection and even sharing anecdotes about his son’s early artistic ``signs’’ as a baby.
But the conductor also expressed concern about his fame eclipsing Min’s career.
Born in 1953 in Seoul, the pianist Chung debuted at age seven. After moving to the United States, he won second prize at the 1974 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow and graduated from the Julliard School in New York.
Born in 1953 in Seoul, the pianist Chung debuted at age seven. After moving to the United States, he won second prize at the 1974 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow and graduated from the Julliard School in New York.
The former music director of Opera Bastille in Paris (1989-1994), he now serves as music director and principal conductor of the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra (since 2000), the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (since 2005) and Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as special artistic advisor to the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Chung also revealed his hobby of making batons by hand, using olive trees that grow in his yard. Unable to find a baton with the perfect balance and grip, he decided to make his own and also gave one to his son.
The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m., August 20, at the National Museum of Korea. Two types of tickets are available: ``Hope’’ tickets cost 70,000 won and can be purchased online at www.ticketlink.co.kr and www.interpark.co.kr. Or by donating an amount of your choice, you can purchase ``Love’’ tickets by calling (02) 518-7343.
For more information about Boystown in Busan and ways to support the children, visit www.bsboystown.or.kr.
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