Search - Isang Yun, Georg Schmohe, Hiroyuki Iwaki :: Yun: Symphonies 2 & 4

Thoughtful Performances.

Chung-Whun Chung | Seoul, Republic of Korea | 11/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Isang Yun's second symphony was composed in 1984 and first performed by Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos. Its orchestral setting is smaller than first symphony. Yun used Yin(Dark) and Yang(Light) conception in this symphony. For example, strings and woodwinds are light and angelic dimension. In contrast, brass and percussions are dark and demonic dimension. But these elements fuse in last movement's coda. In this recording's performers-Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks and conductor Georg Schmohe are performed very 'impressive' and 'expressive'. They understood perfectly this symphony's conception. Fourth symphony 'Im Dunkeln singen(Singing in the Dark)' was composed in 1986 and premiered by Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hiroyuki Iwaki. Its title was quoted from German writer Luise Rinser's diaries. Yun offered this symphony to suffered and sacrificed many Asian women by war and dictatorship. So, this work's principal atmosphere is dark and serious. Especially, in second movement, four soloists-oboe, clarinet, violin, violoncello-are performed long epilogue and against the very massive orchestral tutti's coda. It symbolize symphony's title-Singing in the Dark-very clearly. This recording was world premiere performance held the Suntory Hall in Tokyo's live recording(13 November 1986). Maybe you'll hear in second movement's epilogue and coda, feel 'heart-attacking' impression."