Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

Debussy, Ravel

Universal Music

After reaching a long-term contract with Deutsche Grammophon in April, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s debut album with DG is finally on the shelves.

The SPO’s performances of Debussy’s “La Mer” (The Sea) and Ravel’s “Ma Mere L’oye” (Mother Goose) and “La Valse” under maestro Chung Myung-whun are featured in the album. Ravel’s programs were recorded live at the Seoul Arts Center on May 20, 2010.

Debussy’s “La Mer,” premiered in Paris in 1905, is a “set of symphonic sketches,” the composer once described.

Ravel’s “Ma Mere L’oye” consists of five pieces for children ― “Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty,” “Tom Thumb,” “Laideronnette, Empress of the Pagodas,” “Conversation of Beauty and the Beast” and “The Fair Garden.”

The Seoul Phil which started recordings with DG in 2010 has finished three recordings ― French repertoire Debussy and Ravel, Mahler Symphony No.1 and No. 2 ― with artistic advisor and producer Michael Fine.

In 2011, the orchestra is scheduled to record Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6, Korean composer Chin Un-suk’s “Su” and Mahler Symphony No. 9.

(yoonmi@heraldcorp.com)