While Brazil might be a world away, the music of Latin America`s largest country is coming to Seoul.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Brazil, the Brazilian Embassy organized a piano recital that brings both countries together in the Sejong Center.

The concert titled "Commemorating Villa-Lobos" will be conducted by Brazilian-Korean pianist Leda Kim tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

"It is a great opportunity for the citizens of Seoul to enjoy a unique repertoire based on the works of Heitor Villa-Lobos," said Brazilian Ambassador Edmundo Fujita.



Gerard Behague, the leading scholar of Latin American ethnomusicology, described Villa-Lobos as "the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music."

Villa-Lobos has become the best-known and most significant Latin American composer to date. He wrote numerous orchestral, chamber, instrumental and vocal works.

His music was influenced by both Brazilian folk music and by stylistic elements from the European classical tradition, as exemplified by his Brazilian Bach-pieces.

Following his earlier pieces originating in guitar improvisations, he developed an interest in Brazilian folk music, which became the strongest influence on his works.

A self-taught composer, Villa-Lobos is also known for his driving rhythms and original instrumentation.

His music grew in a completely independent and individual fashion by combining the influences of Brazilian culture with Portuguese, African, American Indian and European elements.

His major works include operas, 12 symphonies, 17 string quartets, solo piano works, and chamber music.

Kim was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and made her orchestral debut with the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra as the age of 12, under maestro Eleazar de Carvalho.

She was the winner of many local and national competitions in her native country and also the winner of competitions in the United States, including the Great Neck Symphony Competition, which featured her in the "Young Artist`s Showcase" - a McGraw-Hill presentation on The New York Times` WQXR radio station.

A student at Juilliard, Kim has performed with some of the biggest orchestras such as the American Symphony Orchestra and the Korean Symphony.

(yoav@heraldm.com)



By Yoav Cerralbo