 |
| Pianist Cho Seong-jin and the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) perform Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43" at LG Arts Center Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of LG Arts Center Seoul |
By Dong Sun-hwa
LG Arts Center Seoul, an art theater managed by Korea's fourth-largest conglomerate, LG Group, celebrated its relocation on Thursday with the performance of award-winning Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin and the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), helmed by British conductor Simon Rattle.
After operating in Gangnam District for more than two decades, the art center recently moved to a new building in Gangseo District, which is almost twice as large as the old one. Designed by internationally acclaimed Japanese architect Ando Tadao, the new building has two theaters: the LG Signature Hall and the U+ Stage. The former can accommodate more than 1,300 people.
 |
| LG Arts Center Seoul's new building in Gangseo District / Courtesy of LG Arts Center Seoul |
Thursday's performance started with the LSO's awe-inspiring take of Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde ― Prelude & Liebestod," an opera reputed for its use of dissonant chords. Cho then joined the symphony to play Rachmaninoff's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43," commanding the stage with his vibrant touch on the piano. After a 20-minute intermission, the LSO performed Sibelius' "Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105" and Ravel's "La Valse ― Poeme Choregraphique Pour Orchestre, M. 72."
The audience members, who were enthusiastic fans of classical music, gave a round of applause at the end of the performance. According to LG Arts Center Seoul, the tickets for the show were sold out only 40 seconds after they went on sale. Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong also attended the concert with his mother Hong Ra-hee. Hong is known as a fan of Cho, the winner of the 17th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition (2015).
"LG Arts Center Seoul is a new cultural landmark where performing arts coexist with other types of culture," CEO Lee Hyun-jung said. "We will strive to become a global theater that can win the hearts of artists around the world."
The center is planning to hold a series of high-profile performances later this year. On Nov. 3, the Korean National Symphony Orchestra (KNSO) is scheduled to perform with pianist Sunwoo Yekwon and on Dec. 11, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen ― one of the best chamber orchestras based in Germany ― will take the stage with violinist Clara-Jumi Kang.
![[INTERVIEW] 'Growth slowdown can accelerate depletion of retirement pension fund'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/1b8c230b7aa14896bf5b639acd01a9ee.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Veteran US photographer gives environment 'visual voice' to chronicle climate change](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/9d491d25431d4e9b980fee78427589dc.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
