Measures Following Music Director Pietari Inkinen's COVID-19 Diagnosis
Program Remains Unchanged Including Violinist Clara Jumi Kang's Collaboration
The conductor for the KBS Symphony Orchestra's 782nd regular concert has been changed from Pietari Inkinen to Yoel Levi. Photo by Yoel Levi. Photo courtesy of KBS Symphony Orchestra.
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The conductor for the KBS Symphony Orchestra's 782nd regular concert has been changed from Pietari Inkinen to Yoel Levi.
The KBS Symphony Orchestra announced that although Inkinen, the current music director, was originally scheduled to conduct the performances on the 28th at Lotte Concert Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul, and on the 30th at Cheonan Arts Center, he tested positive for COVID-19 and will be unable to appear on stage.
Accordingly, the orchestra urgently requested assistance from former music director Yoel Levi, who will take the podium in place of Inkinen. Yoel Levi, who previously appeared with the KBS Symphony Orchestra in June, arrived early morning on the 26th and began rehearsals.
The program and soloists for this concert, themed "Fateful Moments," will proceed as planned.
In the first half, violinist Clara Jumi Kang will perform Prokofiev's "Violin Concerto No. 2." This piece was composed in the year Prokofiev returned to his homeland after 18 years of exile in the United States, and is a work full of the unique gentle lyricism of string instruments.
In September 2013, Yoel Levi collaborated with Clara Jumi Kang at the KBS Symphony Orchestra Foundation's 1st anniversary commemorative concert.
In the second half, Shostakovich's "Symphony No. 5" will be performed. This work is considered Shostakovich's greatest masterpiece and one of the most important symphonies of the 20th century.
Yoel Levi, born in Romania and raised in Israel, gained recognition by winning the Besan?on International Young Conductor Competition in 1978. He served as the 8th music director and principal conductor of the KBS Symphony Orchestra for six years from 2014 to 2019.
Meanwhile, the KBS Symphony Orchestra announced that due to the conductor change for this concert, audiences wishing to cancel their tickets will receive a full refund without any fees.
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