Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra Performs Beethoven Symphony No. 3 'Eroica' at Seoul Arts Center

March 15 Next Month 'Masters Series I' Performance
Vadim Kolodenko, Liszt 'Piano Concerto No. 2'

The Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center on March 15.

This is the first stage of the 'Masters Series,' which the Gyeonggi Philharmonic will present five times this year. Under the baton of Artistic Director Kim Sun-wook, who took office on January 1 this year, the orchestra will perform the Prelude to Act 1 of Wagner's opera Lohengrin, Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 "Eroica."

Artistic Director Kim Sun-wook explained that the program was composed with a sense of respect.

"Since Beethoven's appearance in Western music history, no one could help but be conscious of him. Both composers Liszt and Wagner revered Beethoven like a hero. Liszt, who is featured in this concert with his Piano Concerto No. 2, as well as his symphonic poems and piano sonatas, was strongly influenced by Beethoven and expressed it in his own way. Wagner also studied Beethoven's orchestral works, which enabled him to create music dramas. This concert is structured in reverse chronological order of that era, culminating in Beethoven."

Vadim Kolodenko Photo by Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation

Ukrainian pianist Vadym Kholodenko will be the soloist for Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2. Vadym Kholodenko won the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2013 and performed a congratulatory piece at the closing ceremony when Lim Yoon-chan won the 16th Van Cliburn Competition in 2022, during which he played the Ukrainian national anthem. Vadym Kholodenko has also won the Sendai International Piano Competition and the Schubert International Piano Competition. This will be his first time performing with an orchestra, raising great anticipation.

Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2 reflects both Liszt's virtuoso pianist persona and his role as a symphonic poem composer. The meticulously designed yet organically evolving sounds and colors are impressive. Although it is a single movement lasting about 20 minutes, it is divided into six major sections with 16 tempo changes, making it highly dynamic. The wide range of harmonies and octave progressions make it a challenging piece that only a true virtuoso can master.

This concert is a joint project between the Gyeonggi Philharmonic and the Goyang Cultural Foundation. The Gyeonggi Philharmonic will also perform the same program at the Aram Music Hall in Goyang Aram Nuri on March 16.