INTRODUCTION
For its second concert in the capital, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, one of Asia’s top international orchestras and a regular guest in the most important concert halls worldwide, will be joined by Korea’s rising violin star: Inmo Yang. Under the baton of Music director, Jaap van Zweden, one of todays leading conductors, the orchestra will play one of the most virtuosi pieces of the Classical repertoire: Bruch’s violin concerto from 1868, that remains today the probably most known and celebrated violin concerto worldwide.
In the second part of the evening, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Jaap van Zweden will be playing the famous and iconic Symphony Nr. 5 in C minor from Ludwig van Beethoven. Described by German writer and composer E.T.A. Hoffmann as the very “expression of the infinite”, the Symphony epitomizes the classical music’s aim to reach beyond its form and offer an expression of the world. “Beethoven’s music sets in motion the machinery of awe, of fear, of terror, of pain, and awakens that infinite yearning which is the essence of romanticism” Hoffmann explains and offers here the perfect resume of the piece that can very well be seen as the most convincing expression of the inexpressible.
This concert will offer a unique experience for both a young public willing to discover classical music and for Classical music lovers. With its both accessible and artistically challenging programme, it renews Abu Dhabi’s strong commitment as a UNESCO creative city of Music.
PROGRAMME
Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
Jaap van Zweden, conductor
Inmo Yang, violin
Saad Abdel Wahab:
UAE National Anthem (1’)
P.I. Tchaikovsky
Capriccio italien op. 45 (15’)
M. Bruch
Violin concerto no. 1 in g minor op. 26 (24’)
L. van Beethoven:
Symphony no. 5 in c minor op. 67 (31’)
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) became an independent organization in 2005. Under the leadership of the music director Maestro Myung-Whun Chung, the orchestra has widened the repertoire and has been taken to the next level. Worldrenowned Finnish conductor, Osmo Vänskä has taken up the baton as the second music director from 2020. Jaap van Zweden who has served as music director of the New York Philharmonic and the Hong Kong Philharmonic began his 5 year tenure as third music director in January 2024.
With world-renowned guest conductors and soloists, the SPO continues to shape the Korean classical music scene with artistic achievement and programming.
Apart from traditional concerts, the SPO performs a wide range of public concerts including large scale outdoor concert such as ‘Park Concert’, ‘Riverside Concert’ and concerts held nearby you such as ‘Neighborhood Concerts’, ‘Korea’s National Liberation Day Concert’, ‘Rush Hour Talk Concert’ and ‘Museum Concert’. Also the SPO runs programs for various ages from ‘Kids Concert’ to digital contents for grown-ups and master classes for young conductors and musicians. Through these programs the SPO contributes to widening classical music audience base and fostering professional classical musicians.
In 2010, the orchestra embarked on its first overseas tour to nine cities in Italy, Germany, Czech Republic and Russia. This followed the orchestra›s European festival tour 2011, which included the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival. In 2012, the orchestra won standing ovations and wide acclaim for its North American tour. In 2014, the SPO toured 4 European cities, including the BBC Proms, where the orchestra received rave reviews from critics and audiences. In addition, the SPO has established itself as a significant Asian orchestra through performances invited by the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing and the Suntory Hall in Tokyo in 2015. In November 2018, the SPO became a world-class orchestra through touring in Paris and Lucerne. In 2019, SPO finished its Russian tour, serving as the country›s cultural diplomat. In 2022, the SPO embarked on a European tour in 4 cities – Salzburg, Amsterdam, Vienna and London, and performed in one of the most prestigious concert halls on the planet, including Großes Festspielhaus(Salzburg), Concertgebouw(Amsterdam), Musikverein(Vienna), after which the orchestra reinforced its reputation as the leading orchestra in Asia.
SPO also became the first Asian orchestra to sign a contract with the Deutsche Grammophon label. Some of the SPO’s renowned recordings include masterworks by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Mahler. A recording of Korean composer Isang Yun conducted by Osmo Vänskä was released in August 2022 with the BIS label.
JAAP VAN ZWEDEN
Jaap van Zweden, appointed as the 26th Music Director of the New York Philharmonic in September 2018, has also led the Hong Kong Philharmonic since 2012. Beginning his role with the Seoul Philharmonic in January 2024, he will take on the position of Music Director for the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France Paris in September 2026. Renowned for his conducting, van Zweden has directed illustrious orchestras including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. At just 19, he made history as the youngest-ever concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, later transitioning to conducting in 1996. In 1997, the van Zweden’s founded the Papageno Foundation, dedicated to supporting families of children with autism through innovative music therapy initiatives and broader community programmes.
INMO YANG
Korean violinist Inmo Yang is the first prize winner of the 2022 Jean Sibelius Violin Competition. He was also awarded a prize for the best performance of the commissioned work written by Magnus Lindberg. Sakari Oramo- the chair of the jury- commented: “The winner was overwhelming. There is so much great about Inmo’s playing, both musically and violinistically. There is never anything extra involved in changing the spring, which produces singing and ease.”
In March 2015, Inmo won the 54th International Violin Competition “Premio Paganini” in Genoa, Italy, marking the first time since 2006 that the Paganini Competition jury awarded First Prize. Fabio Luisi, the chair of the jury at the time, commented: “Inmo is an intuitive musician. His Paganini is captivating and exquisite.” He also garnered the following special prizes: youngest finalist, best performance of the contemporary original piece, performance most appreciated by the audience, and a special recital in Genoa using Paganini’s own Guarneri Del Gesu violin.
Inmo made his Carnegie Hall debut at the Weill Recital Hall as a winner of the Concert Artists Guild competition, and went on to receive invitations to the Boston Symphony Hall, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, the Ravinia Music Festival and the Marlboro Music Festival.
Inmo has performed with many renowned conductors such as Fabio Luisi, Neeme Järvi, Sakari Oramo, Myung-whun Chung, James Gaffigan, David Robertson, Marin Alsop, and Osmo Vänskä. His concerto appearances include Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Orchestre National de Metz, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Zurich Philharmonic Orchestra, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and Busan Philharmonic Orchestra. Notable engagements for the upcoming season include an Asian tour with the Lucerne Festival Strings Orchestra, a Korea/Japan tour with the Berliner Barock Solisten, Unsuk. China’s first concerto with Auckland Symphony/Shiyeon Sung, and concerts in Naantali Festival.
In 2021, Inmo released his second Deutsche Grammophon album [The Genetics of Strings]. His debut album - 24 Caprices by N. Paganini - was recorded live as part of the Kumho Art Hall residency and released under the same label in 2019.
Inmo studied with Namyoon Kim at Korea National University of Arts, Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, and Antje Weithaas at Hochschule für Musik “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin. He is now studying at Kronberg Academy with Antje Weithaas. These studies are funded by the Menuhin Patronage. Inmo is playing on a violin by G. B. Guadagnini of Turin kindly loaned by Jane Ng through J & A Beare and the Beare’s International Violin Society for The International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition.