Bon Beethoven Orchestra's First Visit to Korea... Baek Geon-woo Collaborates on Beethoven Concerto No. 4

[Photo by Credia]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Pianist Baek Gun-woo (74, photo) will perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in collaboration with the Bonn Beethoven Orchestra during their first visit to Korea in June.

The Bonn Beethoven Orchestra was founded in 1907 in Bonn, Beethoven's hometown, to carry on the tradition of Beethoven's music.

It was the first municipal symphony orchestra established in Bonn since the court orchestra disappeared in 1749. The orchestra changed its name to the Bonn Beethoven Hall Orchestra in 1963 and has been active under the name Bonn Beethoven Orchestra since 2003.

The Bonn Beethoven Orchestra performs over 80 regular season concerts annually and opera performances at the Bonn Opera House. The young maestro Dierk Kaftan (49) has been leading the orchestra as music director since 2007.

In celebration of Beethoven's 250th birth anniversary this year, the Bonn Beethoven Orchestra is visiting Korea for the first time, holding two concerts on June 7 at the Gwangju National Asia Culture Center and on June 9 at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall.

In addition to Piano Concerto No. 4, which will be performed with Baek Gun-woo, the orchestra will play Beethoven's "Egmont Overture" and "Symphony No. 7."

Baek Gun-woo is nicknamed the "Seeker on the Keyboard" for his persistent exploration of a single composer.

In 2005, he delved deeply into Beethoven's music by signing a contract with the Decca label for a complete album of Beethoven's piano sonatas, the first Korean performer to do so. From December 8 to 14, 2007, he performed all 32 Beethoven sonatas in eight concerts at the Arts Center Concert Hall.

About ten years later, from September 1 to 8, 2017, Baek Gun-woo received enthusiastic support again for his complete performance of Beethoven's piano sonatas at the Arts Center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.