Seven accomplished Korean classical musicians captivated the audience at the Katara Opera House yesterday as they performed masterpieces by renowned composers at a concert presented in line with Korean National Day celebrations and the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Qatar.
“It is my great pleasure to welcome you to “An Autumn Night of Classical Music with Korean Artists.” We prepared this special event to share Korean culture with Qatari people, diplomatic missions and the Korean community in Doha,” said Kim Chang-mo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Qatar.
“Korea is now widely known for its K-pop music, but at the same time, many Korean classical musicians have long been loved by classical music fans around the world,” said the ambassador, while introducing the musicians who are proving their excellence in Qatar’s music scene.
The concert held on the eve of the Korean National Day celebration featured Doha-based Korean musicians Sonja Park and Kim Nayoung on piano, Lee Eunhye and Shin Jihoon on flute, Kim Taehyun on violin, Lee Juncheol on bassoon and Kim Jiyeon on cello. They impressed the audience with their great talent and virtuosity in their interpretation of famous compositions by celebrated musicians from around the world including Korean classical music pieces. Kim Nayoung, Kim Jiyeon and Kim Taehyun opened the show with their powerful rendition of German composer Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Trio No.1 in E-flat major. It was followed by Lee Eunhye and Sonja Park’s performance of Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando by French musician Philippe Gaubert.
Source: The Peninsula Qatar
Award-winning young pianist Mia Park Torchinsky played The Lark by Russian composers Mikhail Glinka and Mily Balakirev to the delight of the crowd.
Korean compositions Nostalgic Kumgangsan by Young Sub Choi and New Arirang by Dong Jin Kim capped the well applauded show. The diverse concert repertoire also included German composer Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s Song Without Words, Récit, Sicilienne et Rondo by French composer Eugene Bozza, Carmen Fantasy by Spanish composer Pablo de Sarasate and Rigoletto Fantasie for two Flutes and Piano by Franz and Karl Doppler.
In his speech, Ambassador Kim Chang-mo hailed the strong bilateral ties that exist between Korea and Qatar.
“This year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the State of Qatar, and the relations of the two friendly countries have never been stronger. In January, H H Amir Sheikh Tamm bin Hamad Al Thani paid a successful visit to Korea, followed by H E the Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon’s fruitful visit to Qatar in July. The 5th Qatar-Korea High-Level Strategic Cooperation Committee Meeting, which convened in Doha two weeks ago, also reflect strong bonds between Doha and Seoul,” he stressed.
He added: “In line with ever-growing political and economic relations between our two countries, this year, my Embassy is presenting a number of Korean cultural events to the people in Qatar.” He ended thanking the organizers of the show as well as Katara Cultural Village for hosting the concert.
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