NY Phil returns to Seoul after 11 years; Zimerman ends US orchestra hiatus

The New York Philharmonic is returning to Seoul for its first concerts in 11 years. Also noteworthy is that these performances will feature acclaimed pianist Krystian Zimerman's first collaboration with an American orchestra since he began boycotting performances in the United States in 2009 in protest of its military policies. At a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday, Finnish conductor-composer Esa-Pekka Salonen, who will lead the concerts, said he was happy to be back in Korea, which he described as "such a musical country." He added the visit is "particularly special because I'm reunited with my dear friend Zimerman." "For me, returning to Korea means reuniting with someone I've admired for decades, both as an artist and as a friend," he said. He described Zimerman as "a very unusual artist in the best sense" for his "narrow repertoire," mostly due to the Polish pianist's extensive amount of research and preparation. "He wants to know each piece not only inside and out, but also backwards and forwards. He explores every dimension of the work," the conductor said of Zimerman, who coWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times