Kyung Wha Chung

Kyung Wha Chung's dazzling and probing artistry has made her one of classical music's most acclaimed performers for more than forty-five years. Lauded for her passion, her musicality and the intense excitement that she brings to her performances, Ms Chung's uniquely expressive interpretations of the violin literature have established her as an artist of the very highest stature.

After a career break of more than a decade she has announced to her fans the decision to return to the recording studio:

I'm delighted to announce that I am so happy to be returning to the recording studio after many years for a series of exciting artistic projects. The first of these is the solo Sonatas & Partitas of J S Bach: a monumental task. This is the unending quest of my musical journey. To have the opportunity to work again with Stephen Johns (who was my long-term producer at EMI) is wonderful, as is being made to feel such a welcome part of my Warner family. I will soon share more news about this wonderful new adventure with all of you.

The album, recorded at St George's Bristol, and to be released in September 2016, will showcase Kyung Wha Chung as the maverick of the violin that she is, with her inimitable and timeless sound. More news about forthcoming projects including a recital disc with her pianist Kevin Kenner and a concerto recording will be announced soon.

Kyung Wha Chung signed an exclusive recording contract with EMI (now Warner Classics) in 1988, and made numerous critically-acclaimed and award-winning recordings for the label. Her album of Bartók's Second Violin Concerto and Rhapsodies under Sir Simon Rattle won a Gramophone Award. In 2005 she stopped performing in public and recording due to an injury, and focused all her efforts in raising her family and teaching a whole new generation of violinists at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York.

Kyung Wha Chung's first appearance following her injury took place in 2010 with Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia Orchestra, and she began touring again in Asia from 2013. In December 2014 she made a much-anticipated return to the UK with a series of concerts culminating in a sold-out performance at the Royal Festival Hall, London.

Kyung Wha Chung will open the Verbier Festival this summer with the Verbier Festival Orchestra and conductor Charles Dutoit on 22 July. In the autumn she will present a series of recitals in Manchester (Bridgewater Hall, 12 October), Dublin (National Concert Hall, 17 October) and London (Barbican, 26 October) with her pianist Kevin Kenner. 18 May sees her eagerly-awaited return to Carnegie Hall, New York.

Born in South Korea in 1948, Kyung Wha Chung began studying the violin at the age of six. At New York's Juilliard School, she studied with the legendary Ivan Galamian and later coached with Joseph Szigeti, who also introduced her to art and literature.

Kyung Wha Chung has appeared regularly as a soloist with the world's most prestigious orchestras, working with top conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Bernard Haitink, Riccardo Muti, André Previn, Simon Rattle, and Georg Solti. As a recitalist, Kyung-Wha Chung has collaborated with an extraordinary list of important artists including Peter Frankl, Kevin Kenner, Steven Kovacevich, Radu Lupu and Krystian Zimerman. The government of South Korea has awarded her its highest honour, the Medal of Civil Merit. In addition, she has been cited by London's Sunday Times as one of the most important contributors to British cultural life.

Information: www.warnerclassics.com

Posted: 12 April 2016

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