Korean Cultural Center New York, a branch of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, is pleased provide promotional support for Kyung Wha Chung, one of the world’s most revered violin virtuosos, as she returns to Carnegie Hall to perform the complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, in special celebration of the 50th anniversary of Chung’s Carnegie Hall debut in 1967, when she won the Leventritt Competition. The performance will take place on Thursday, May 18th, 7:30 pm at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, Perelman Stage.
The evening’s program of Bach’s complete Solo Sonatas and Partitas for Violin has never before been performed on the Carnegie Hall stage in its 125-year history. With this concert, Chung takes on a herculean challenge. Not only does it require the highest degree of technical and musical excellence, but as the “Mount Everest” of the violin repertoire, a great degree of physical stamina as well.
“I first started learning this music as a teenager under the guidance of my teacher, the great Ivan Galamian,” she says. “This repertoire is one that I have longed for and desired to perform for my entire career. Being able to perform this in its entirety is the fulfillment of my greatest musical quest,” says Chung.
Following an injury to her hand, Chung returned from her hiatus in 2010, and signed an exclusive international contract with Warner Classics. The Bach Sonatas and Partitas is her first release with them, the first full album of Chung’s to be released in 15 years. Chung’s performance at Carnegie Hall is a rare opportunity for the audience to experience one of the world’s top artists performing a program that had never before been presented on its grand stage.
This program, presented by Opus 3 Artists, is included in the Korean Cultural Center New York’s “Highlighting Korean Classical Artists” initiative launched in 2016.