The Busan Philharmonic Orchestra will be celebrating the 80th birthday of the Korean composer Younghi Pagh-Paan, in their concert at the Musikfest Berlin. Two orchestral works premiered in Donaueschingen, “Sori” (1980) and “Frau, warum weinst Du? Wen suchst Du?” (2023), exemplify the numerous decades of compositions by Pagh-Paan which have left their mark on contemporary music. These compositions are juxtaposed by three works originating in the 1920s and 1930s: Maurice Ravel’s “Piano Concerto for the Left Hand” (1930) in which the soloist is Ben Kim, winner of the 55th ARD International Music Competition; Olivier Messiaen’s four symphonic meditations, “L’Ascension”; and the Seventh Symphony by Jean Sibelius, his final symphony to be completed.

in honour of Younghi Pagh-Paan

Younghi Pagh-Paan (*1945)
Sori (1980)
for full orchestra

Frau, warum weinst Du? Wen suchst Du? (2023)
for orchestra

Maurice Ravel (1875 – 1937)
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D major (1930)
for piano and orchestra

Olivier Messiaen (1908 – 1992)
L’Ascension – Quatre méditations symphoniques (The ascension – Four Symphonic Meditations) (1933)

I Majesté du Christ demandant sa gloire à son Père (The Majesty of Christ Demanding His Glory of the Father)
II Alléluias sereins d’une âme qui désire le ciel (Serene Alleluias of a Soul that Longs for the Heavens)
III Alléluia sur la trompette, alléluia sur la cymbale (Alleluia on the Trumpet, Alleluia on the Cymbal)
IV Prière du Christ montant vers son Père (Prayer of Christ Ascending Towards His Father)

Jean Sibelius (1865 – 1957)
Symphony No. 7 in C major, op. 105 (1924)

Ben Kim – piano

Busan Philharmonic Orchestra
Seokwon Hong – conductor