[On Stage] 'Hyeonak Sisters' Choi Ha-young & Song Ha... A Fantastic Duo on One Stage

Musical Colleagues with Similar Tastes... Excellent Spontaneous Chemistry
"We Want to Record Kodaly Together"... First Duo Performance Next Month

"If I were to record an album, I definitely want to include a piece by Zolt?n Kod?ly (1882?1967)."

Cellist Choi Ha-young (27) and violinist Choi Song-ha (25), sisters, named a work by the Hungarian composer Kod?ly as the piece they would like to record together during an online press conference held via Zoom on the 12th. The two said that as sisters and musical colleagues, their tastes are similar, and especially Choi Song-ha mentioned, "I grew up listening to my sister play Kod?ly's Cello Sonata."

"When we lived together in Berlin for several years, we looked for pieces that we could perform as a duo and read through many scores. Through that process, we felt Kod?ly's music suited both of our styles very well. It was a natural choice without any hesitation."

Choi Ha-young (right) and Choi Song-ha sisters performing [Photo by Queen Elizabeth Competition SNS]

The two will hold their first domestic duo concert on the 30th of next month at Lotte Concert Hall. Although they have performed duo stages several times in Europe since last year, this is their first time performing together in Korea. This precious opportunity was made possible as Choi Ha-young was selected as the 'In-House Artist' at Lotte Concert Hall this year.

Choi Ha-young won first place in the cello category at the prestigious 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition. It is no exaggeration to say she is currently one of the most prominent cellists in the world. Choi Song-ha also gained recognition by advancing to the finals (top 12) in the violin category of the same competition last year.

The eldest sister, Choi Ha-im (29), is also active as an orchestra violinist in London, UK. Their mother had a significant influence on the three sisters naturally being exposed to music. Their mother loved classical music so much that she learned cello as a hobby, and the three sisters played with instruments like toys when they were young, all growing into world-class performers.

Choi Ha-young and Choi Song-ha share a similarity in sometimes choosing bold contemporary music. In the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition finals, Choi Ha-young attracted attention by selecting the cello concerto by 20th-century Polish composer Witold Lutosławski (1913?1994). Choi Song-ha, after performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 at the Mapo Cultural Foundation New Year’s Concert last year, left a strong impression by playing the encore piece, "Red Violin Caprice," by American contemporary composer John Corigliano (88). Regarding her choice of pieces, Choi Song-ha said, "The theme of the Mapo Cultural Foundation that year was Bohemian. Usually, one would think of Dvo??k or Smetana, but I chose 'Red Violin' because I wanted a piece that could express a freer soul." She added, "The contrast between the concerto and the encore piece kept the audience from getting bored, and I was able to show various sides of myself."

Choi Ha-young and Choi Song-ha lived together in Berlin for about four years and have such a close bond that they have never once quarreled. Choi Song-ha said, "When I perform with my sister, the pressure feels like it’s reduced by half, so it’s much more comfortable and fun. We usually chat happily and then go on stage to perform, so there’s no time to get nervous."

Choi Ha-young also said, "Maybe because we have performed together since our student days, our spontaneous communication on stage is very good. Even if I play with a different phrasing, my sister responds so well that we can express the same piece with a fresh feeling every time."

Choi Ha-young (right) and Choi Song-ha sisters in their childhood [Photo provided by Lotte Cultural Foundation]

This concert is a long-cherished dream for her. "We spent almost all of our elementary, middle, and high school years in different countries. I grew up in Germany, and Song-ha in the UK, so we didn’t have many opportunities to perform together. As time passed, we both got busy, but since last year, we have been gradually preparing stages together. That’s why this concert is even more meaningful." Currently, the two are fulfilling duo concert schedules in Belgium.

Choi Song-ha said, "Korean audiences show passionate responses, so our expectations are high. It will be a very precious stage for us as well."

At the Korean concert, they plan to perform Mozart’s Duo for Violin and Cello and Kod?ly’s Sonata for Violin and Cello, among others.

As an In-House Artist, Choi Ha-young will appear on the Lotte Concert Hall stage on the 30th of next month and November 26. She is also scheduled to perform at the classical music festival 'Classic Revolution,' which opens on August 28 at Lotte Concert Hall.