Conductor Shin-ik Ham and Symphony Song will present the third program of the 2026 Masters Series at Lotte Concert Hall on May 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Following February's performance of Mahler's Resurrection and March's Scheherazade, this program examines the tension, contrasts and inner emotional life of 20th‑century Russian music through works by Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergei Prokofiev.
Pianist Kyu‑yeon Kim returns as soloist, marking her second collaboration with Shin-ik Ham and Symphony Song. Their 2025 performance revealed a deep musical rapport; together they will now add Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 to their repertoire, broadening their artistic range.
Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 demands explosive energy, extreme technical command and subtle emotional shading, making it one of the most challenging concertos in the repertoire. Kim's intense focus and measured interpretations are expected to illuminate the concerto's dramatic contrasts and taut tension.
Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5, which closes the second half, has stood as one of the composer's defining works since its 1937 premiere. It marries classical form and clear structure with intense emotional charge.
The lyrical third movement and the forceful fourth-movement finale are often cited as the symphony's emotional core, inviting readings that go beyond a straightforward declaration of victory. Conductor Shin-ik Ham plans to present an interpretation that balances formal clarity with inner tension.
The concert opens with Shostakovich's Festive Overture, a burst of bracing energy that sets the tone. Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 follows as the program's dramatic centerpiece, and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5, performed last, synthesizes those elements to bring the evening to its peak.
The program's contrasting works create an arc of balance and tension, showcasing the musical depth and polish that Shin-ik Ham and Symphony Song have pursued. For details and tickets, visit Lotte Concert Hall, Yes24 or NolTicket.
Photo: Shin-ik Ham and Symphony Song
