Musical ‘Anna, Chaikovsky’... "A Work Like Deep Pyeongyang Naengmyeon"

Tchaikovsky's Music Reborn as Musical Numbers
"It May Seem Plain, but It Was Crafted with Tremendous Time and Effort"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] "It is a work like Pyongyang Naengmyeon. It seems plain, but it was simmered with an enormous amount of time and effort."

These were the words of Taei, who played the role of C?sar at the press call for 'Anna, Tchaikovsky' held at Hyehwa Uniplex on the 27th. The musical 'Anna, Tchaikovsky,' in which Taei plays the role of C?sar, a representative of ethnic music, is set in 19th-century Russia, a time of chaos due to war.

It centers on the relationship between the era's greatest composer Tchaikovsky and the writer Anna, who rely on each other while being oppressed for refusing to create music and literature for the state.

As Taei said, the work evokes a subtle umami flavor rather than being provocative. The nine-member orchestra, presented for the first time in Daehangno, reinterprets Tchaikovsky's globally beloved music into musical numbers. The lyrical melodies, combined with the actors' explosive vocal power, cut through the air with poetic lyrics.

The stage also suits the understated musical. The two-story stage, visible at a glance, effectively depicts the 19th-century Russian city center and monastery. The monastery is the place where Tchaikovsky and Anna seek refuge. The two spaces are sharply contrasted by lighting effects. Russia is illuminated with cold lighting, while the monastery is bathed in warm lighting reminiscent of sunlight.

But why Tchaikovsky, of all people? CEO Heo Gangnyeong explained, "Through Tchaikovsky's music, we wanted to find relatable content among various characters," adding, "We wanted to contribute to promoting the excellence of our musical to the world."

Composer Lee Jinwook said, "I felt a great psychological burden in handling the works of a master. I thought a lot about maintaining the flow of the melody," and added, "I approached it with the mindset of fully utilizing the talents of good actors, and thanks to the actors' deep character exploration, good music was produced."

One of the highlights of the play is the song "Small Flower," performed by Kim Songhyang, who plays Anna, and actor Enoch. Their breathy and unrestrained vocal delivery stimulates the audience's ears. Actress Kim Songhyang said, "I was moved by the lyrics of 'Small Flower,' which say 'I hope to convey my scent to people,' and that's why I came this far," emphasizing, "I really wanted to deliver this message."

One of the emotions encompassing the work is a sense of lack. Director Hwang Doosu explained, "After being rejected by his mother, Tchaikovsky's outlet was music, where he escaped into fantasy," and added, "That kind of lack everyone has seems to connect the work with the audience in reality."

For reference, Tchaikovsky was a prodigy who showed talent for piano from the age of four. However, he had to study law according to his parents' wishes. His married life was not smooth. Known to be homosexual, he married Antonina, a noblewoman, in 1877 but divorced after three months. Nevertheless, he started music late and left behind three major ballet works: 'Swan Lake,' 'The Sleeping Beauty,' and 'The Nutcracker.'

The performance welcomes audiences at Uniplex Hall 1 until the 30th of next month.

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