Eminent New Zealand pianist Somi Kim’s playing two works inspired by artwork at a concert at Arrowtown’s The Lodge at The Hills on March 30.
South Korean-born Kim, who performs extensively with the NZTrio, is playing in the second half Modest Mussorgsky’s famous Pictures at an Exhibition, which she calls “one of the most epic works written for the piano repertoire”.
Composed in 1874 to honour the Russian composer’s artist friend, Viktor Hartmann, “it’s just the most dramatic suite of 10 movements”.
“It’s as if the listener is walking through an art gallery.
“It’s just so much fun to play.”
As a 21st century performer, Kim says she also sees it as a responsibility to be championing works of her generation, especially by NZers.
She originally met NZ composer Janet Jennings about two years ago – “she wrote a piece for a project I did for the piano trio and some other instruments and I just instantly fell in love with her work”.
Kim therefore asked her if she’d like to pair up Mussorgsky’s masterpiece with an NZ work.
Jennings’ response, Aotearoa Pictures at an Exhibition, comes in the form of 11 short piano works inspired by Kiwi artists Areez Katki, Alberto Garcia-Alvarez, Hiri Anderson and Star Gossage.
The Arrowtown concert will be just the second public performance of Jennings’ commission.
Kim says The Lodge is a fitting venue as it’s adorned with beautiful artwork, much of it by co-owner Lady Christine Hill.
‘Somi Kim: Pictures at an Exhibition’, The Lodge at The Hills, March 30, 7pm. Tickets $74.03, via eventfinda
