Latest news with #Shaham
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Violinists Gil Shaham, Adele Anthony to show synergy on Seoul stage
Husband and wife duo will perform with Sejong Soloists as part of chamber ensemble's 'Hic et Nunc!' series Violinists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony have long cherished performing side by side, sharing stages around the world as both musical partners and life companions. On Aug. 26, the couple will appear together in Korea for the first time, joining Sejong Soloists' acclaimed "Hic et Nunc!" series in Seoul. The program will feature two double violin concertos with Sejong Soloists: Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043 and Avner Dorman's Concerto for Two Violins, "Nigun of the Birds,' which will get its Asian premiere. Dorman's concerto, which had its world premiere in April 2025 at Carnegie Hall, reimagines Bach's contrapuntal textures and polyphonic style through a contemporary lens, creating a vivid musical dialogue between the Baroque and the 20th century. The pairing also shaped the rest of the program, which includes works by Vivaldi and American composer David Diamond. Shaham and Anthony's collaboration with Dorman began when the composer proposed writing a piece for them. 'We were thrilled with the idea of a 'companion piece' to the Bach Double,' Shaham said in a recent email interview. 'The parts were divided naturally based on our strengths and musical personalities. The premiere at Carnegie Hall was unforgettable — the culmination of a deeply personal artistic journey.' Anthony described the process as 'a beautiful dialogue that we all contributed to. The premiere felt as though we were giving birth to a new piece of music.' As a duo, the couple values their shared rehearsal time as much as the performance itself. 'We're fortunate to perform together fairly often,' Anthony added. 'We discuss everything together, from the programming to the artistic interpretation. Because we have such deep trust and understanding as a couple, it's a very organic and open dialogue where we both contribute equally to the final decision. It's a wonderful synergy of our lives and our art." The couple's three children all play musical instruments, but Shaham and Anthony prioritize their children's happiness over professional ambitions for them. 'Our hope is that music enriches their lives and becomes a source of beauty and expression,' said Shaham. When it comes to inspiration, both name Bach as a shared favorite, though Anthony singles out jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald for her clarity and unmatched style. Shaham made his debut at the age of 10, launching a career that has spanned over four decades. Since his first visit to Korea in the mid-1990s, he has appeared here with ensembles including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in 2010, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2016, the Vienna Symphony in 2022 and the KBS Symphony Orchestra in 2023. He is not only a former student of Sejong Soloists founder Kang Hyo, but also a long-time collaborator, performing with the ensemble across Korea, the US and Europe, and on numerous recordings. Anthony, who won the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis in 1996, has since built an international career marked by solo appearances with renowned orchestras. She also led Sejong Soloists as concertmaster for 12 years. For the couple, performing together in Seoul offers a rare opportunity to share their artistry with Korean audiences for the first time. 'The enthusiasm and deep knowledge of Korean audiences are unparalleled,' said Shaham. 'To share this experience with Adele here for the first time is incredibly special.' Anthony added, 'We've heard so much about the passion of Korean audiences. We're eager to share our musical synergy with them in person.' The Hic et Nunc! Musical Festival is an annual event founded and backed by Sejong Soloists. The eighth edition takes place Aug. 22 to Sept. 5 at various places in Seoul, including the Seoul Arts Center, Ewha Womans University and Uncommon Gallery. Shaham and Anthony will perform with Sejong Soloists at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 26 at the Seoul Arts Center's Concert Hall. Ticket prices range from 30,000 won to 150,000 won.
Emirates 24/7
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates 24/7
'I Look Forward to Sharing Alexey Shor's Music' Declares Gil Shaham as InClassica 2025 Draws Closer
Acclaimed American violinist Gil Shaham will be making a triumphant return to the InClassica International Music Festival in April 2025 , bringing his exceptional artistry to the heart of Dubai for the festival's 14th annual edition. This globally celebrated event, taking place from the 6th to the 21st of the month , will unite classical music's finest performers for two weeks of extraordinary concerts, with Shaham set to headline not one, but two performances, which will be featuring works from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Felix Mendelssohn, Johannes Brahms, and Composer-in-Residence Alexey Shor . Reflecting on his past experiences with InClassica, Shaham shared his excitement about rejoining the festival and returning to Dubai, remarking that 'it has been an honour to be part of this festival in the past. My personal experience with InClassica was one of sharing music with friends; it is a special occasion for accomplished musicians, passionate music lovers and others to interact together. I am looking forward to April and feel very lucky to be part of the InClassica International Music Festival once again!' 'Dubai is becoming a hub for music as well', he continued. 'Music brings people together and enriches all of our lives. I grew up with this music and devoted most of my life to it and I believe it makes people's lives better, so being part of a new frontier and playing this music in the GCC is a great honour.' Shaham's performances will both be hosted at the spectacular Dubai Opera on the 14th and 16th of April respectively, where the violinist will be collaborating with the esteemed Franz Schubert Filharmonia for the first time in his career, under the direction of two distinguished conductors – Maestros Tomas Grau and Sergey Smbatyan . 'I am very much looking forward to these collaborations', he declared. 'Sergey and I have performed several times before, including in Dubai, but this will be my first time working with Maestro Grau and the Franz Schubert Filharmonia. We will meet in February in Barcelona and will be well prepared for our concerts in April! It should be really fun.' Shaham's repertoire for InClassica 2025 is a carefully curated blend of beloved classics and contemporary masterpieces. For his first concert within the festival, the evening will open with the Overture to Mozart's seminal opera The Marriage of Figaro , followed by Alexey Shor's Violin Concerto No. 4, and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 in A major, 'Italian'. On his second visit, audiences can enjoy the soloist's inimitable interpretations of Alexey Shor's Violin Concerto No. 1 'Seascapes', and St. Elmo Barcarole, with the orchestra then set to close proceedings with Brahms's monumental Symphony No. 1. 'I believe each evening will surprise audiences and at the same time comfort them with much beloved and familiar music,' Shaham said. 'As a violinist, I enjoy playing Alexey Shor's solos as they allow the instrument to sing and interplay with the orchestra almost like a protagonist in an opera would. Each evening has an arc to it and the selections both contrast and complement each other.' Shaham's connection to Alexey Shor's music runs deep, with the violinist often having performed his works in the past, and this year's festival takes on an even more special significance since it will be honouring the composer's 55th birthday. The violinist reflected on this celebration, as well as Shor's distinct style, which has now won plaudits among critics and audiences worldwide, as he stated that 'I am happy and honored to be part of this celebration of my friend Alexey Shor's 55th birthday. I believe he has described his pieces as being related to the 'grand style' he grew up hearing. My personal experience is that audiences consistently respond well to his compositions and even these days as I am practicing at home preparing for the concerts, my family members are humming and whistling his melodies. I look forward to sharing his music!' For more information about the 2025 InClassica International Music Festival make sure to visit the official website at . Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
