Concerts Celebrate Haydn’s Bicentennial

	Cellist Mischa Maisky will join the Haydn Philharmonie in concerts Nov. 25 and 26 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province and Seoul, respectively, in time for the 200th anniversary of the death of Joseph Haydn. / Courtesy of Vincero

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the death of ``Symphony Father'' Joseph Haydn (1732-1809). Various paternal attributes have been given to the Austrian court composer, whose career coincided with the development of classical styles and forms ― the symphony, string quartet and others.

Some of the most esteemed specialists of the late maestro ― the Haydn Philharmonie and Haydn Trio ― will pay homage through concerts. Also joining the players is esteemed cellist Mischa Maisky.

Maisky Meets Haydn

Haydn's 108 symphonies, written between 1759 and 1795, range from works written for the relatively modest local court orchestra comprised of a couple of oboes, horns and strings, to the greater-scale ones that we are more familiar with today.

The Haydn Philharmonie was founded for the very purpose of performing Haydn's works in the place he lived and worked for 30 years, the Esterhaz Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. The ensemble also unites Austro-Hungarian musicians. Since 1989 it has hosted the International Haydn Festival, one of the most exciting classical music events of the season.

The orchestra will visit Korea for the first time next week, and will give concerts Nov. 25 at Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex, Gyeonggi Province and Nov. 26 at Seoul Arts Center.

Renowned Haydn specialist Adam Fischer will conduct the ensemble for Symphonies Nos. 104 ``London'' and 45 ``Abschied.'' Maestro cellist Mischa Maisky will join the stage for Cello Concerto No. 1. Call 1577-7766 (Goyang) or (02) 599-5743 (Seoul).

In addition to playing with the Haydn Philharmonie, Maisky will give a recital tour across the country beginning Wednesday night at Uijeongbu Arts Center, Gyeonggi Province. He will continue with performances Thursday at Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province; Friday at Seoul Arts Center; Saturday at Incheon Culture & Arts Center; Sunday at Gyeongsangnamdo Culture & Arts Center; Nov. 22 at Mokpo Citizen Culture & Sports Center, South Jeolla Province; and finally Nov. 23 at Busan Cultural Center.

The cellist will perform D minor sonatas by Debussy and Shostakovich; Rachmaninov's ``Vocalise'' and Beethoven's ``Seven Themes on a Variation From the Magic Flute,'' among others. A point of interest is that Maisky's daughter Lily will accompany him on the piano. Call (02) 599-5743.

Haydn Trio

A musical trio reputed as ``Haydn ambassadors'' will visit Korea for the first time next month as part of their world tour commemorating the bicentennial.

Founded in 1992, the Haydn Trio Eisenstadt comprises of pianist Harald Kosik, violinist Verana Stourzh and cellist Hannes Gradwohl, and has been praised for its ``extraordinary sense of articulation'' (Westdeutsche Zeitung) and ability to ``inhabit every nuance of Haydn's drama, poignancy, pathos, humor and sheer love of life'' (Musicweb International).

The program features piano trios by Haydn (Nos. 45 and 43) and Schubert (No. 2) as well as one by Park Young-ran, which is appropriately titled ``Piano Trio Dedicated to Haydn 2009.'' The latter piece is part of a global project dubbed Dedicated to Haydn (D2H), where contemporary composers from different parts of the world are commissioned to write music dedicated to Haydn in the spirit of the late maestro's famous words, ``my language is understood throughout the world.''

The concert will take place Dec. 11 at Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Complex. Call 1577-7766.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

[The Korea Times]11-17-2009;17:44/By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter