PASSIONATE VIOLINIST KYUNG-WHA CHUNG KICKS OFF CLASSICAL SEASON
WITH MUSIC DIRECTOR JAMES DePREIST
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Portland, Ore. … World-class violinist Kyung-Wha Chung will join Music Director and Conductor James DePreist in a performance of Sibelius' Violin Concerto in the first Oregon Symphony Classical concert of the 2001-2002 season Sept. 8 through 10 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

DePreist will conduct Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, a piece for which his interpretation is renowned, during the second half of the concert. Tchaikovsky's Fantasy Overture "Romeo and Juliet" and Sibelius' Violin Concerto will be featured in the first half on the concert.

One of the most sought-after violinists on the international stage, Chung is the recipient of several Gramophone Awards and has been cited by the Sunday Times of London as one of the most important contributors to the British cultural scene. According to the Times: "Kyung-Wha Chung can summon a ferocity equal to anything the composer demands. She can exploit her feline grace to bring out the tenderness in a singing line."

In addition to pre-concert talks beginning one hour before each concert, Oregon Symphony Clasical concerts regularly include additional opportunities for listeners to learn more about the music and the orchestra.

These activities include:
Saturday: The conductor of each series will discuss the program from the podium in "Symphony Interactive." Media support for "Symphony Interactive" is provided by KINKfm102.
Sunday: Audience members will be invited to stay for a 15-20 minute panel discussion with musicians and/or the conductor. Media support for "Sunday Night Post-Concert Discussion" is provided by KBPS.

Performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets start at $15 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster On-line, via the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.

Kyung-Wha Chung

In a career that has already spanned more than 25 years, Kyung-Wha Chung has been one of the most sought-after musicians on the international stage. She has earned recognition worldwide as a performing artist of the very highest stature: in 1972 the South Korean government awarded Ms. Chung with its highest honor, the medal of Civil Merit. The depth of her musicianship, her commitment and her passion for her art characterize each performance and recording.

Kyung-Wha Chung was born in South Korea, but at the age of 12 left her native country to study with Ivan Galamian at the Juilliard School in New York. After winning the Leventritt competition in 1967, she embarked upon her career in North America, appearing with many of the world's finest orchestras. She made her sensational European debut in 1970 at the Royal Festival Hall with André Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra playing the Tchaikovsky Concerto. Her success was so great that they immediately booked her for three more London concerts, a tour of Japan and a television appearance. Engagements with the London Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and Cleveland Orchestra followed, firmly establishing her international career.

During the past two decades, Ms. Chung has appeared in recitals as well as with virtually all of the major orchestras and conductors throughout North America, Europe and the Far East. An exclusive recording artist with EMI Classics since 1988, her recording of Bartók's Violin Concerto No. 2 alongside Rhapsodies 1 and 2, with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Simon Rattle earned a coveted Gramophone Award. Recent recordings on EMI Classics include Brahms's violin sonatas, performances in which she is accompanied by pianist Peter Frankl. This disc was released in Japan and Korea in April 1997 and was released internationally in October 1998. "Souvenirs," a violin and piano recital disc with Itamar Golan, was released in September 1999. In January 2001 she released Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," a recording made with St. Luke's Chamber Orchestra.

Chamber music plays a very important part in Ms. Chung's performing life. Her EMI Classics recording of Beethoven's Piano Trios Op 11 and 97 (Archduke) with her brother Myung Whun Chung and her sister Myung Wha Chung, released in September 1994, has received great critical acclaim. The Chung Trio is also honored to bear the title Honorary Ambassador of the United Nations Drug Control Program.

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