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Korea Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Interview: French winds and familiar faces who sustain SSF's chamber music spirit
20-year-old Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music through eyes of four French wind players For a chamber music festival to continue for 20 years, many things must come together. Chief among them are a devoted artistic director, innovative programming, a stable operation and a growing interest in chamber music — a genre defined by its intimate scale, where a small group of musicians perform without a conductor. Equally vital are the musicians themselves — both the loyal artists who return year after year and new participants who bring fresh energy — who collectively sustain the festival's spirit and artistic quality. For this year's Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music, which began April 22 and goes to May 4, 69 artists have gathered for 14 performances. Among them are four French wind players: oboist Olivier Doise, clarinetist Romain Guyot, flutist Matthieu Gauci-Ancelin and horn player Herve Joulain. Doise, Guyot and Joulain are SSF regulars who clear their schedules every year for the two-week event. 'It was not easy to bring audiences to a chamber music festival. Korean audiences tend to prefer big orchestras and grand productions. Director Kang Dong-suk still fights to attract the audience, discovering new pieces not only for the piano but for wind instrument as well," Guyot said during an interview last week. 'We know we will play new pieces together — it has become a priority in our schedule,' he added. The clarinetist, who is the principal clarinetist of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva and an acclaimed soloist and educator, has returned to the festival 12 times since the inauguration in 2006, making him the SFF's most frequently returning overseas musician. Doise, principal oboist of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and a professor at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, also spoke about the unique energy he feels from Korean audiences. He has participated in the festival since 2015, missing only 2021 and 2022, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel. 'Chamber music festivals usually aren't this long,' Doise said. 'Here, for two weeks, we can work, practice and rehearse — it feels like our home. Everything is so well organized that we only have to think about the music we play.' For the past 15 years, the musicians have returned to the same hotel in central Seoul, where they stay, practice and rehearse — a small but telling detail that reflects the festival's stable and well-established operation. For Joulain, returning to Korea each spring has become an annual tradition since 2014. One of France's leading horn players, having held principal positions with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Orchestre National de France, Joulain said "Korea feels like home now." Flutist Gauci-Ancelin joined the festival for the first time this year, stepping in as a last-minute substitution just two weeks ago. Over six days, he faces a demanding schedule, performing eight different pieces. A professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz in Austria and a member of the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic, Gauci-Ancelin said, "Although it's my first time here, I know many of the musicians," adding, "I really appreciate the familylike atmosphere." France, one of the world's woodwind powerhouses, has a long tradition of nurturing wind musicians. In many parts of Europe, including northern France, coal miners once formed amateur brass and wind bands as a core part of their community life, Guyot explained, noting that these musical traditions helped embed a deep appreciation for wind instruments in the culture. 'So originally, wind instruments were popular instruments — they were played for dancing, for parties, for funerals and even for military ceremonies," he said, explaining that today, woodwind instruments remain a popular choice in France, compared to the stronger preference for piano and string instruments often seen in Korea. Throughout the festival, the four musicians are performing in different ensembles alongside other instrumentalists, culminating in a joint appearance for the quintet of Bizet's 'Carmen' in the closing performance Sunday. Launched in 2006 by violinist Kang Dong-suk with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the SSF emerged in a musical landscape that lacked long-term, stable platforms for chamber music.
Korea Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Interview: French winds and familiar faces who sustain SFF's chamber music spirit
20-year-old Seoul Spring Chamber Music Festival through eyes of four French wind players For a chamber music festival to continue for 20 years, many things must come together. Chief among them are a devoted artistic director, innovative programming, a stable operation and a growing interest in chamber music -- a genre defined by its intimate scale, where a small group of musicians perform without a conductor. Equally vital are the musicians themselves -- both the loyal artists who return year after year and the new participants who bring fresh energy -- who collectively sustain the festival's spirit and artistic quality. For this year's Seoul Spring Chamber Music Festival, taking place April 22-May 4, 69 artists have gathered for 14 performances. Among them are four French wind players: oboist Olivier Doise, clarinetist Romain Guyot, flutist Matthieu Gauci-Ancelin and horn player Herve Joulain. Doise, Guyot and Joulain are SSF regulars who clear their schedules every year for the two-week event. 'It was not easy to bring audiences to a chamber music festival. Korean audiences tend to prefer big orchestras and grand productions. Director Kang Dong-suk still fights to attract the audience, discovering new pieces not only for the piano but for wind instrument as well," Guyot said during an interview last week. 'We know we will play new pieces togehter -- it has become a priority in our schedule,' he added. The clarinetist, who is principal clarinetist of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva and an acclaimed soloist and educator, has returned to the festival for 12 times since the inauguration in 2006, the most frequently returning overseas musician for the SFF. Doise, principal oboist of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and a professor at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, also spoke about the unique energy he feels from Korean audiences. He has participated in the festival since 2015, missing only 2021 and 2022 when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel. 'Chamber music festivals usually aren't this long,' Doise said. 'Here, for two weeks, we can work, practice and rehearse — it feels like our home. Everything is so well organized that we only have to think about the music we play.' For the past 15 years, the musicians have returned to the same hotel in central Seoul, where they stay, practice and rehearse -- a small but telling detail that reflects the festival's stable and well-established operation. For Joulain, returning to Korea each spring has become an annual tradition since 2014. One of France's leading horn players, having held principal positions with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Orchestre National de France, Joulain said "Korea feels like home now." Flutist Gauci-Ancelin joined the festival for the first time this year, stepping in as a last-minute substitute just two weeks ago. Over six days, he faces a demanding schedule, performing eight different pieces. A frequent guest principal flutist with the Berlin Philharmonic, Gauci-Ancelin said, "Although it's my first time here, I know many of the musicians," adding, "I really appreciate the family-like atmosphere." France, one of the world's woodwind powerhouses, has a long tradition of nurturing wind musicians. In many parts of Europe, including northern France, coal miners once formed amateur brass and wind bands as a core part of their community life, Guyot explained, noting how these musical traditions helped embed a deep appreciation for wind instruments in the culture. 'So originally, wind instruments were popular instruments -- they were played for dancing, for parties, for funerals and even for military ceremonies," he said, explaining that today, woodwind instruments remain a popular choice in France, compared to the stronger preference for piano and string instruments often seen in Korea. Throughout the festival, the four musicians will perform in different ensembles alongside other instrumentalists, culminating in a joint appearance for the quintet of Bizet's 'Carmen' in the closing performance on Sunday. Launched in 2006 by renowned violinist Kang Dong-suk with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the SSF emerged in a musical landscape that lacked long-term, stable platforms for chamber music. gypark@
Khaleej Times
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
From reopening Notre-Dame de Paris to InClassica 2025 at Dubai Opera
On the December 7, 2024, the world turned its gaze to Paris as the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral reopened its doors, nearly six years after the devastating fire that threatened one of humanity's most iconic landmarks. Among the star-studded lineup of artists who performed at the historic reopening concert was acclaimed Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich, whose emotive performance underscored the event's themes of resilience, unity, and renewal. This unforgettable appearance came just months before Lozakovich is set to take the stage at the 2025 InClassica International Music Festival, where he will be joining an extraordinary roster of musicians who will be gathering in Dubai this coming April for two weeks of high-end classical concerts. For the reopening concert of Notre-Dame, Lozakovich was joined by such luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma, Lang Lang, and Pretty Yende, who all came together to honour the cathedral's restoration with music that echoed its timeless grandeur. The Swedish violinist's performance was a standout moment in an evening filled with artistic brilliance, showcasing his unparalleled ability and inimitable talent on his instrument, as he captivated millions watching across Paris and all over the world. "It's an honour to be part of the reopening of the historic Notre-Dame Cathedral', Lozakovich said, 'a place of deep cultural and spiritual significance. Performing alongside Maestro Gustavo Dudamel and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France in this sacred church is a moment I will always cherish.' As the world continues to celebrate Lozakovich's stirring performance at Notre-Dame, anticipation is now building for his upcoming appearance at the InClassica 2025. The festival, renowned for its stellar lineup of world-class musicians, will see Lozakovich performing as one of its featured soloists in not one, but two of its concerts, showcasing his artistry with audiences in the UAE's most populous city. The violinist shall be teaming up with legendary pianist and conductor Mikhail Pletnev on both occasions, giving classical music lovers the rare opportunity to witness such celebrated maestros in live performance together. For their first collaboration, on the 12th of April, Pletnev will be taking on the role of conductor, leading the Franz Schubert Filharmonia as they accompany Lozakovich in performances of works from the pen of Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor, while also presenting a piece written by Pletnev himself. The second entry, meanwhile, will see the duo taking over InClassica's stage as they close off the festival on April 21st with a recital featuring seminal works from Franz Schubert, Edvard Grieg, and César Franck, as well as a special collaborative composition created jointly by Pletnev and Shor. Lozakovich, who has had the chance to perform music by Shor before, spoke fondly of this experience, noting that 'Shor's music is very lyrical, which is rare for modern music. I am very glad that there are such people who can write such beautiful music and that I can play it; it inspires me, and I'm really honoured that there are people like Alexey Shor and, of course, Maestro Pletnev who are willing to dedicate themselves to the music world in this way'. InClassica 2025 marks the festival's 14th edition and promises to be a celebration of classical music on a grand scale. Lozakovich's involvement in these two monumental events speaks to his role as a global ambassador for classical music, and underscores his commitment to using his art to inspire and unite. With a career already marked by extraordinary achievements, his presence continues to reaffirm his place among the most exciting musicians of our time, and it is with an eager heart that audiences around the world are now looking to witness the next chapter of his remarkable journey this coming April. For more information about Lozakovich's appearances at the 2025 InClassica International Music Festival, make sure to visit
