[On Stage] Otenjammer "Will Showcase the Diverse Charms of Bernstein's Music"

Lotte Cultural Foundation 'Classic Revolution' Artistic Director
"Bernstein's Music Influenced Bringing People Together"

"Leonard Bernstein (1918?1990) was a versatile figure. He showed what music could do from various perspectives."

Andreas Ottensamer, artistic director of 'Classic Revolution' (photo), explained the reason for selecting Bernstein as this year's musician at a press conference held on the 8th at Lotte Concert Hall. He emphasized that the diverse appeal of Bernstein's music is effective in attracting many people and can make Classic Revolution a true festival.

Classic Revolution is a classical music festival presented every summer by the Lotte Cultural Foundation, modeled after famous European classical music festivals such as the BBC Proms in the UK and the Salzburg Festival in Switzerland. Ottensamer, principal clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic and recently active as a conductor, is serving as the artistic director of Classic Revolution this year.

Andreas Ottensamer, Artistic Director of 'Classic Revolution'
[Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation]

According to Ottensamer, Bernstein left various achievements as a composer, pianist, conductor, educator, and writer. Bernstein led the golden era of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and helped popularize the German composer Gustav Mahler (1860?1911), whose Symphony No. 5, 4th movement 'Adagietto' was featured in the film "Decision to Leave." Bernstein was the first in the world to record all of Mahler's symphonies in the 1960s, at a time when no one paid attention to Mahler.

Ottensamer said, "Bernstein was the only one who recognized Mahler's true value when he was unpopular in his time. In Bernstein's rediscovery of Mahler, we can glimpse both tradition and innovation."

Bernstein composed three symphonies and numerous orchestral works, but he was also a musician who constantly sought to communicate with the public through jazz and musical theater music. The musical 'West Side Story' is Bernstein's representative work. Therefore, Bernstein is considered a musician who can satisfy the diverse tastes of music lovers. Ottensamer explained that Bernstein's music had a great influence on gathering people.

"Bernstein's music stays largely within classical boundaries while being enjoyable. I think Bernstein was a good choice because his music alone can make many people happily come to the concert hall."

During this festival, Bernstein's opera 'Candide' overture, Symphony No. 2 'The Age of Anxiety,' and music from the musical 'West Side Story' will be performed. Ottensamer chose Johannes Brahms (1833?1897) as a figure balancing Bernstein and explained that works by composers who influenced these two composers will also be performed.

Andreas Ottensamer, Artistic Director of 'Classic Revolution'
Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation

Ottensamer will conduct the opening concert of the Seoul Philharmonic on the 11th and the closing concert of the Gyeonggi Philharmonic on the 20th. On the 15th, he will perform chamber music as a clarinetist alongside pianist Yoon Hong-chun, violinists Ray Chen and Cho Jin-joo, and cellist Han Jae-min.

Ottensamer said, "I am pleased that, through personal friendships, we have successfully invited world-class performers." Ray Chen, winner of the 2009 Queen Elizabeth Competition, is participating in Classic Revolution for the first time due to his friendship with Ottensamer, and Yoon Hong-chun has previously performed with Ottensamer.

Taking on various roles as artistic director, conductor, and performer, Ottensamer said, "I will integrate the common denominator connecting these three roles to bring out the full potential of all performers and present performances of the highest level."

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