[On Stage] Clara Jumi Kang's Solo Recital After 3 Years "Selected Pieces as a Fan of the Violin"

Concerts in Six Cities Including Seoul Arts Center in September
"Prokofiev Violin Sonata Shocked Me at Age 8"
"Music Gives Strength Through Comfort and Courage More Than Joy"

"I remember Tartini's 'Devil's Trill' as the piece I first played when I was about 4 or 5 years old. It can be said to be one of the very first pieces in my musical life. I encountered Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No. 1 around the age of 8. It was truly a huge shock."

Violinist Clara Jumi Kang is holding a solo recital after three years with pieces that have held great significance in her life as a violinist from childhood to the present. Starting on September 1 at Bucheon Art Center, she plans to perform in six cities. After Daegu, Haman, Seongnam, and Tongyeong, the final stage will be held on September 10 at Seoul Arts Center. She will perform four pieces in total. The first piece is Giuseppe Tartini's Violin Sonata 'Devil's Trill.' It will be followed by Sergei Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No. 1 and Ernest Chausson's 'Po?me,' concluding with C?sar Franck's Violin Sonata.

At a press conference held on the 9th at Geoam Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Jumi Kang referred to herself as a 'fan of the violin,' expressing her affection for the instrument. She said she plans to organize the recital with pieces she loves as a violin fan.

Violinist Clara Jumi Kang is answering questions at a press conference held on the 9th at Geoam Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Vincero

Jumi Kang's recital is her first in three years since performing the complete unaccompanied violin works of Bach in the first half of the year and the complete Beethoven violin sonatas in the second half of 2021. At that time, she performed challenging pieces one after another for a violinist.

"In 2021, during the difficult times of COVID-19, I performed challenging pieces, and this time I chose pieces I personally like. I selected pieces that contain stories from my childhood and pieces I personally love as a fan of classical music and the violin, which I believe the audience will also enjoy."

Jumi Kang explained that Tartini's 'Devil's Trill' is a work that very well shows what kind of instrument the violin is and its charm. Since Prokofiev's Violin Sonata No. 1, which she will perform second, also begins with a trill, she wanted to connect the two pieces. However, she explained that the character of the trills in the two pieces is different. A trill is a technique where two notes are rapidly alternated in a trembling sound.

Violin Sonata No. 1 is a work in which Prokofiev depicted the fear and anxiety of war. It is regarded as the darkest and most somber among all of Prokofiev's works. Jumi Kang said she really likes Prokofiev.

"Sonata No. 1 was composed by Prokofiev during World War II, and I thought it is not very different from today's reality. When I was young, I didn't know why Prokofiev wrote this piece, but I felt the tremendous power that music gives. Actually, Prokofiev is a composer I personally really like. His pieces convey tremendous messages along with hope and wit."

Jumi Kang also said that the power of music is more about healing and comfort than joy.

"I am deeply affected by incidents and accidents that threaten human life. I believe the power of music is to provide comfort and courage rather than just joy. I want to perform a lot in places where incidents and accidents have occurred and where classical music is not easily accessible. The desire to convey such power of music is the driving force behind my continued performances."

Violinist Clara Jumi Kang
[Photo provided by Vincero, (c)Marco Borggreve]

Unlike the first half filled with minor key pieces, the second half will change the mood by performing two major key pieces by French composers.

"These are pieces I have often played throughout my musical life. They are very meaningful because they accompanied many changes and developments in my emotions. Chausson's 'Po?me' is a love song inspired by a poem about love. It is a piece I greatly enjoy as a short work. Franck's Violin Sonata is always a very beloved piece. When I performed the complete works of Bach and Beethoven three years ago, despite COVID-19, I was deeply moved and grateful to the audience who came to see the performances. So I thought it would be nice to perform this piece again in Korea, where I have played it several times."

Since last summer, Jumi Kang has been playing the 1702 Stradivarius 'Tunis,' sponsored by Kia. Previously, she played the 1708 Stradivarius 'Ex-Strauss' for eight years under the sponsorship of the Samsung Foundation of Culture. "The Samsung Foundation originally planned to sponsor me for five years, but due to COVID-19, they extended it to eight years. I was looking for a new instrument and received sponsorship from Kia. If the Samsung Foundation's violin shone like a pearl, the violin I am currently using feels like a diamond raw stone before polishing, giving a masculine impression. It fits my hand perfectly."

Jumi Kang described herself as someone for whom music is everything and said she still enjoys performing. "Although I travel to various cities for performances, I can't really say I have traveled because I just go back and forth between hotels and concert halls. I don't engage much in leisure activities unrelated to music. Fortunately, the process of performing and preparing for performances is still very enjoyable for me."