Chung marks 50 years of music making

However, Chung is an outstanding performer in her own right, having played with most of the major orchestras around the world and been invited to perform at acclaimed international festivals. She is also a teacher, nurturing some of the country's most promising young cellists at the Korean National University of Arts.

It is fitting, then, that the HOAM Art Hall kicks off its "Great Korean Stars Series," dedicated to artists who are both performers and teachers, on April 29 with Chung, who celebrates 50 years of playing cello this year.

Koreans are familiar with the story of how the three Chungs became world-class musicians - a very determined and driven mother who saw the musical genius of her young children and made sure that they developed their potential to the full.

The third of seven brothers and sisters, Chung studied the piano as a child, influenced by her mother, who played the piano and classical guitar.

But the piano did not really catch her interest and she could not hold the violin the right way. Neither did she like the high notes of the violin.

When Chung was given the cello as an elementary school graduation gift, it was love at first sight. She has now been playing the instrument for five decades.

After debuting with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Chung went on to study in 1961 at Julliard School of Music, where she studied under Leonard Rose. Her debut on the world stage came in 1969 when she performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra led by Zubin Mehta.

In 1978 the three Chungs, each with very successful solo careers, came together to form the "Chung Trio." Although their hectic schedules do not allow them to perform together often, when they do it is a big musical event as Koreans will always have a place in their hearts for the three musicians who did them proud when the outside world knew very little about Korea, much less that it had outstanding classical musicians. The trio's first performance together in a decade last year was a sellout.

Chung has performed as a soloist with top orchestras around the world and has been a featured performer at many festivals, including Lucerne, Spoleto, Tivoli and Palma de Majorca.

She has also performed at the White House and the United Nations.

Chung was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the U.N. International Drug Control Program. In 1992 she received the National Order of Cultural Merit Eunkwan. In 1999, she was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in Korea.

Chung began her teaching career at Mannes School of Music in New York where she taught the cello and chamber music. Currently she teaches at the Korean National University of Arts. Among her proteges are Koh Bong-in, Choi Wan-kyu and Joo Yeon-seon, all rising stars on the international stage.

For the upcoming recital, which will feature Haydn Divertimento transcribed by G. Piatigorsky, Mendelssohn's Cello Sonata in D major and Barber' Cello Sonata among others, Chung will be accompanied by a fellow faculty at the Korean National University of Arts, pianist Kang Choong-mo. Kang will also be the featured musician for the "Great Korean Stars Series" in late June.

The recital starts at 8 p.m., April 29 at HOAM Art Hall. Tickets are 30,000 won to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 751-9607.

<By Kim Hoo-ran, The Korea Herald>