At sixteen, most young adults are looking forward to driving cars for the first time, getting their first jobs and attending the prom. For Ji-Yong, add to that list "performing as a guest solo pianist with high-profile U.S. orchestras."
On Saturday, March 1, 2008, sixteen-year-old pianist Ji-Yong will join the Canton Symphony Orchestra as soloist in the ever-popular Grieg Piano Concerto, in a concert that also includes the monumental Symphony No. 1 by Gustav Mahler. The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m. at Umstattd Hall conducted by Music Director Gerhardt Zimmermann, co-sponsored by KeyBank and by Schauer Insurance.
Ji-Yong
A native of Korea, Ji-Yong began studying at an early age in the preparatory division of the Korean National University of Arts, winning awards and competitions head-on. After moving to the U.S. with his family in 2000, he studied in New York with Yuri Kim at the Music Preparatory Division of Mannes College. He is currently enrolled at Juilliard, where he studies under Yoheved Kaplinsky.
His 2007-08 orchestral performances include the Toronto Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Cascade Festival of Music, Bay Atlantic Symphony, Queens Symphony, debuting on the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival's Rising Stars series and recitals in the Florida Keys.
Grieg's Piano Concerto
The Piano Concerto is one of the very best-known works by Edvard Grieg and is often found in many of today's pop culture mediums. One can easily identify it by the familiar opening piano solo, a distinct succession of chords reminiscent of the folk music of Grieg's Norwegian culture. This particular piece was revised seven times, although the numerous revisions were very subtle.
Much like the young soloist Ji-Yong, Edvard Grieg also studied piano and was recognized as a talented musician early in his teenage years before concentrating mainly on composing.
Mahler's Symphony No. 1
Nicknamed his "Titan" Symphony, Gustav Mahler composed this symphonic poem in five parts, aptly naming each one for the feeling he wished to convey. The movements vary greatly from the first (titled Slow, Dragging) until it reaches the last (With violent movement).
At one point, Mahler included a descriptive commentary on each movement, earning its title as "Titan," the nameless hero the work revolves around. It has been described as a "prequel" to Mahler's Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection," where he has said that "the hero of my First Symphony who is being carried to his grave."
Single Tickets are $38, $32, $26, $20, $18. Senior discount is $3 off any ticket price; student discount is $5 off any ticket price. -- www.cantonsymphony.org
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