OSR Music Director Nott: "Stravinsky's Music Has the Power to Transform Darkness into Light"

Swiss Romande Orchestra to Perform at Lotte Concert Hall in July
Stravinsky Ballet Music: "Petrushka" and "The Rite of Spring"
Violinist Yang Inmo Collaborates on Sibelius and Mendelssohn Concertos

The Swiss Romande Orchestra (OSR), one of Switzerland's leading orchestras, will return to Korea for the first time in six years, performing at Lotte Concert Hall on July 5 and 6. The concert draws attention as the OSR will perform major works by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, which best showcase the orchestra's identity.

The OSR was founded in 1918 by Ernest Ansermet, known as the father of the Swiss symphonic movement. Ansermet had a close friendship with Stravinsky, who was living in Switzerland at the time, and the OSR frequently performed Stravinsky's works, thereby establishing its own identity. From its founding in 1918 until 1967, Ansermet served as principal conductor for 49 years, developing the OSR into Switzerland's representative orchestra.

During this tour, the OSR will perform Stravinsky's ballets "Petrushka" (on July 5) and "The Rite of Spring" (on July 6). Along with "The Firebird," these two works are considered Stravinsky's three major ballets.

Jonathan Nott, Music Director of the Swiss Romande Orchestra
[Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation (c)Guillaume Megevand]

Jonathan Nott, music director of the OSR, said in a written interview with Asia Economy, "'Petrushka' and 'The Rite of Spring' both address the theme of 'violence' and possess the power to transform dark energy into light through music." He added, "While 'Petrushka' hides anxiety beneath its playful melodies, 'The Rite of Spring' exposes that anxiety directly, creating an intense impression."

The concertos to be performed are Sibelius's Violin Concerto on July 5 and Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto on July 6. Violinist Yang Inmo, who won first prize at the 54th Paganini International Competition in 2015 and the 12th Sibelius International Competition in 2022, will perform as soloist.

Nott commented, "I have rehearsed and performed the Sibelius concerto with Yang Inmo several times," adding, "Yang Inmo is not only an amazing violinist but also a truly outstanding musician."

Nott was appointed music director and artistic director of the OSR in January 2017, and is set to step down at the end of this season. This concert is part of an Asia tour marking his final season as music director. He emphasized the importance of direct musical communication in the concert hall.

He stated, "The cyclical communication in a concert hall, where the breath of the performer reaches the audience's thoughts and returns again, is an essential experience to ensure we do not lose true connection. This is especially true in an era when life can be lived entirely online. If we rely only on keyboards, we may lose our real ability to communicate." He continued, "We must see, hear, and experience the world's diverse cultures through our senses. Without cultural exchange, we are left to depend only on language or translation describing reality, but art must deal with the truth." Nott also remarked, "Music gains life every time it is performed."

The opening pieces for both concerts will be Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun" and "Morphosis" for 42 instruments by Swiss contemporary composer William Blank.

Nott said, "For a better future, we must always be open to new experiences," and added, "I am very pleased to introduce Blank's work."