Concert of the Notable Young Musicians Duo Kim Dohyun and Choi Songha

Smetana, Franck, Bart?k at Mapo Art Center on the 15th

Two promising young performers, pianist Kim Dohyun (30) and Choi Songha (24), will hold a duo recital titled "Bohemian Harmony" at Mapo Art Center on the 15th.

Kim Dohyun and Choi Songha will perform Smetana's "From My Homeland," Franck's "Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major," and Bart?k's "Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano," all personally selected by them. This concert marks their first collaboration.

Kim Dohyun gained attention by winning 2nd place and the Best Performance Award for contemporary works at the 2021 Busoni Competition. Last year, he was selected as the inaugural artist for the "Artist of the Year" program, newly introduced by the Mapo Cultural Foundation since its establishment, and showcased four diverse performances including two solo recitals, an outdoor park concert, and an orchestral collaboration. He studied under Sergey Babayan and Baek Hyesun and graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music's Artist Diploma and Professional Studies programs.

Choi Songha is a violinist who advanced to the finals of this year's Queen Elizabeth Competition. In February this year, he performed Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4, a semi-final piece from the Queen Elizabeth Competition, with the KBS Symphony Orchestra at the Mapo Cultural Foundation's New Spring Concert. He began gaining international recognition by winning 2nd place in the senior category and the Audience Award at the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition. Last year, he swept several awards at the Montreal International Music Competition, including 2nd place in the violin category, the highest sonata award in the semifinals, the best performance award for Canadian works, and the Audience Award. He is currently studying under Kolja Blacher, former concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, at the Berlin University of the Arts (Hans Eisler Hochschule f?r Musik Berlin).

The first piece Kim Dohyun and Choi Songha will perform, "From My Homeland," is Smetana's most personal and introspective work, expressing his deep affection for his homeland Bohemia despite having completely lost his hearing in later years. It conveys national identity through ethnic elements and rhythms reminiscent of the Czech countryside. Both Kim Dohyun and Choi Songha stated that this will be their first time performing "From My Homeland."

Franck's "Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major" is one of his best-known works. Franck composed it as a wedding gift for the young 28-year-old violinist Eug?ne Ysa?e when Franck himself was 63 years old. The final piece, Bart?k's "Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano," established Bart?k as one of the most innovative composers of the 20th century.

For more details about the Kim Dohyun and Choi Songha duo recital "Bohemian Harmony," please visit the Mapo Cultural Foundation website.