Pianist Kim Jung-won and Friends Celebrate 20 Years at Lotte Concert Hall

Pianist Kim Jung-won and his ensemble "Kim Jung-won and Friends" are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a concert series titled "Romantic Atelier." This milestone event features performances at the Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul, alongside other venues, drawing attention for its celebration of two decades of musical collaboration and its focus on romantic classical works.

The "Romantic Atelier" concerts feature works by romantic composers such as Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and Dvořák. Key pieces include Schubert's Impromptu in G♭ major, Schumann's Piano Quartet in E♭ major, Brahms' Intermezzo in A major, and Dvořák's Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major. The ensemble for the 20th-anniversary tour includes pianists Kim Jung-won and Lee Jin-sang, violinists Lim Ji-young and Kim Dong-hyun, violist Shin Kyung-sik, and cellist Moon Tae-guk, continuing a tradition that began in 2006 with various artists.

Local bloggers shared varied impressions, with some praising the Lotte Concert Hall's acoustics and Kim Jung-won's delicate touch, particularly in solo pieces and the four-hands performance. Others noted the professional harmony among the musicians in the Dvořák Piano Quintet. However, some feedback included observations on ensemble balance, such as the viola being too quiet, the cello's tone being lighter than expected, and one violinist's costume being overly prominent for a chamber ensemble setting.