Miguel Harth-Bedoya from Peru to Conduct at Lotte Concert Hall on July 4
Violinist Jiyeong Lim, who became the first Korean to win the violin category at the 2015 Queen Elisabeth Competition, will return to the stage with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) for the first time in four years.
On July 4, at 8:00 p.m., Jiyeong Lim will perform Beethoven's Violin Concerto with the SPO at the Lotte Concert Hall during the orchestra's regular concert.
Beethoven's Violin Concerto is renowned not for its dazzling virtuosity, but for its delicate melodies, lyrical flow, and philosophical depth. The piece powerfully expresses the excitement and sense of struggle characteristic of Beethoven's music, while also encompassing graceful lyricism, profound contemplation, and refined dignity. As such, it is regarded as one of Beethoven's greatest masterpieces.
Violinist Jiyeong Lim gained recognition in 2015 by winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition?one of the world's top three competitions?at the young age of 20. She received the Kumho Musician Award in 2015, the "Proud Korean Award" from the Korea Journalists Association, the Daewon Music Award for New Artist in 2016, and in 2021, was the only classical musician named among Forbes' "30 Under 30 Asia" leaders.
Peruvian conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya will make his debut on the SPO podium. Harth-Bedoya served as music director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for 21 years and recently completed a successful seven-year tenure as chief conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. He continues his association with the Fort Worth Symphony as honorary music director. He is also active as artistic director of the nonprofit organization "Caminos del Inka," which he founded to discover South American music and preserve its musical heritage.
The concert will open with the Korean premiere of "Fiesta!" by Jimmy Lopez. "Fiesta" means "festival" in Spanish. The piece was commissioned by Harth-Bedoya to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Lima Philharmonic Society. Lopez originally composed it for chamber ensemble in 2007, and the orchestral version debuted in 2008 under Harth-Bedoya's baton. "Fiesta!" uniquely blends elements of European classical music with Latin American, Afro-Peruvian, and contemporary pop music, creating a distinctive sound. The work features repetitive rhythms, a sense of tension, complex rhythmic patterns, and contrasting textures, delivering a dynamic atmosphere and intense energy.
The concert will conclude with the "Enigma Variations" by British composer Edward Elgar. One of Elgar's most celebrated works, its original title is "Variations on an Original Theme," and it consists of a hidden theme and fourteen variations. Each variation musically portrays the characteristics of Elgar's close friends, with initials and nicknames indicating the subjects of each sketch. In particular, the ninth variation, "Nimrod," which is often performed as a standalone piece, is the most widely known to the public.
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