The South Korean chief musician is considered one of the most important personalities in the field of classical music. The “New World” Agreement is a work of historical significance
One of landmark works of romantic ethnography, the “New World” Agreement (No. 9 in a minor, work 95) by Antonin Dvorak, presented by Distinguished Philharmonic Orchestra of La Scala in Milan and the famous South Korean chief musician Myung Woon Chung at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, on Sunday, June 26 at 21.00, in the context of the collaboration of the Athens Concert Hall with the Athens Epidaurus Festival. On the same night, the Introduction from the opera will also be heard “Italy in Algiers” by Gioacchino Rossini and The Second Major Accord, work 36 by Ludwig van Beethoven.
The La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra of Milan This year marks forty years of uninterrupted presence on the international music scene, with more than 800 concerts on tour around the world, outdoor music gatherings that gather over 40,000 spectators per yearremarkable discographic testimonies that promote the Italian ethnography or themes, but also educational activities for the children-youth audience. The Orchestra was founded by Claudio Abado in 1982 in collaboration with the musicians of the Skala Theater, with the aim of promoting the symphonic repertoire. She has associated her name with brilliant conductors such as Carlo Maria Giulini and Riccardo Muti. Leading conductors of the 20th and 21st century have been found on the podium of the Filarmonica della Scala: Leonard Bernstein, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Seiji Ozawa, Zubin Mehta, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Riccardo Chailly, Yuri Temirkanov, Daniele Gatti, Fabavo Luudel, Daniel , Daniel Barenboim, Valery Gergiev, Georges Prêtre, Lorin Maazel, Wolfgang Sawallisch. Since 2015, the main chief musician of the Milan Scala Philharmonic is Riccardo Chailly. Her artistic activity is supported by Main Partner UniCredit.
Myung Woon Chung is a regular contributor to the Scala Milan Philharmonic Orchestra. He is considered one of the most important personalities in the field of classical music, not only because of his brilliant artistic career, which includes many collaborations with leading international orchestras, renowned music centers, festivals and lyric theaters as well as with major record companies, but also because of of his charity work. Having focused his attention for many decades on the ecological and humanitarian problems of our time, the award-winning South Korean conductor has promoted music and environmental awareness programs for young people in his homeland. He has also served as an ambassador for the United Nations Drug Control Program, and currently holds the position of Honorary Ambassador of Korea to South Korea, who has honored him with the Kumkuan Award for his contribution to the music life of the country. In addition, in 1995, he was awarded the titles “Man of the Year” by UNESCO and “Most Distinguished Person of the Year” by the South Korean Press Association. He is the first chief musician to be given by UNICEF the title of Goodwill Ambassador (2008).
The concert of the La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra of Milan is a production of the Athens Concert Hall and takes place with the support of AIGEA, AMKE cultural and public benefit work.
The program
The New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) is a work of historical significance for both North American and Bohemian Czech music. Dvořák composed it in 1893, while in New York, where he was invited to take up the position of professor and artistic director of the newly established National Conservatory of Music. It was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. Her first presentation, the same year, at Carnegie Hall was a huge success, with the audience applauding for a long time before the start of each part. Soon, the Ninth Agreement traveled to Europe (London, Prague, Vienna, Amsterdam, Russia, Milan and elsewhere), where it was widely acclaimed.
The comic opera “The Italian in Algiers” (or The Italian in Algiers) by Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868), climbed with great success in May 1813 in San Beneteto, Venice. The Italian composer’s lyrical work immediately aroused the public’s interest, as it highlighted the difference in mentality between East and West, in the early 19th century. Her most popular Introduction, with her impressive orchestration and recognizable brilliant melodies, has been loved by viewers and is often included in the repertoire of many orchestral ensembles and chief musicians.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) directed for the first time the Second Symphony in D major, play 36 in April 1803 at the Theater an der Wien. The work was written during a difficult period for the composer, in the summer of 1802, when there was a sudden significant deterioration of his hearing, which further aggravated his psychological condition. However, Beethoven’s bad mood has not affected the style of Agreement no. 2, which radiates optimism and hope for the future.
Ticket prices from 5 to 80 euros.
