In Europe's small but strong nation of Switzerland, there are two world-class orchestras: the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich (TOZ), based in German-speaking Zurich, and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR), nestled in French-speaking Geneva. Founded in 1868 and 1918 respectively, both boast histories stretching well over a century, true powerhouses of tradition.
The OSR, a distinguished Swiss ensemble, is set to meet Korean audiences under the baton of its music director Jonathan Nott for two evenings on July 5th (Saturday) and 6th (Sunday) at the Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul. This marks their return to Korea after six years, their last visit being in 2019.
The program for July 5th includes Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" and Stravinsky's "Petrushka," while the concert on July 6th will feature "Morphosis for 42 Instruments" by Swiss composer William Blank (an Asian premiere) and Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring."
"Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune" is one of Debussy's most popular pieces, alongside his piano work "Clair de lune." It begins with the languid melody of the flute, followed by the oboe, clarinet, and harp, creating a dreamy and sensual atmosphere. The colorful orchestration, where various instruments blend harmoniously, is particularly striking. Stravinsky's ballets "Petrushka" and "The Rite of Spring" offer a cathartic experience with their primal and powerful rhythmic energy. "The Rite of Spring" is also famous for the riot that erupted during its premiere in Paris in 1913, as the audience was taken aback by the work's novelty. Blank's "Morphosis," composed in 2017 and lasting approximately 14 minutes and 30 seconds, is an orchestral piece that explores diverse musical expressions within the unsettling sounds characteristic of contemporary music.
French Impressionist music, epitomized by Debussy, and Russian modernism, represented by Stravinsky, are core to the OSR's identity. This is largely due to the Swiss conductor Ernest Ansermet (1883-1969), who founded the OSR in 1918. A former mathematics teacher who transitioned to conducting, Ansermet not only interacted with French composers like Debussy and Ravel but also conducted Stravinsky's ballet music at the request of the Ballets Russes (an influential ballet company active from 1909 to 1923). Ansermet nurtured the OSR for nearly 50 years, until 1967, making them specialists in French Impressionist and Stravinsky's music. It is no wonder that the OSR's recordings of modern French and Russian music under Ansermet's baton for the Decca label during the LP era are still considered legendary performances even half a century later.
British conductor Jonathan Nott, who has served as the OSR's music director since 2017, is known for his intellectual and clear interpretations. During their 2019 visit to Korea, they received high praise for their performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 6. Nott is adept not only at late Romantic music like Mahler and Bruckner but also at contemporary music. He led Pierre Boulez's Ensemble Intercontemporain, a renowned contemporary music ensemble, for five years and also recorded the complete orchestral works of composer György Ligeti with the Berlin Philharmonic. This upcoming visit to Korea holds special significance as it precedes Nott's final season (2025/26) as the OSR's music director, offering a moment to reflect on his eight-year journey with the orchestra.
The concerts will also feature the globally acclaimed South Korean violinist Inmo Yang as a soloist. On July 5th, he will perform Sibelius's Violin Concerto, and on July 6th, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. Yang is a celebrated virtuoso, having won the Paganini Competition in 2015 and the Sibelius Competition in 2022. His interpretation of the Sibelius Violin Concerto has been lauded in numerous performances, including the final round of the Sibelius Competition, promising a solid and insightful rendition. While Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is a well-known piece, this will be Yang's first performance of it in Korea, generating considerable interest. Known among fans as "Inmonini" (Inmo + Paganini) for his dazzling technique, this concert offers an opportunity to witness another facet of his artistry.
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