Performing in China more than a decade ago, violinist Chung Kyung-wha had predicted that there would be phenomenal change in the country in 10 years. It has been 12 years now and the Chinese have expanded into every field of Western culture, Chung notes.

“This trip was an eye opener. It was very impressive how they are systematically planting, building cultural centers everywhere,” Chung notes of the China leg of her Asia tour.

“My performance venues had fantastic acoustics which means they have put in tremendous amount of investment. They have invested so much individually and country-wise so Chinese young musicians have now the venues where any foreign musician goes there to perform with great pleasure and they can really deliver their performance of highest quality,” she says.

“My first condition when I make music is to be heard in all the colors,” she explains, citing Carnegie Hall, Vienna Musikverein and Concertgebouw as venues where she had the greatest acoustics experience. “My ears have been spoiled.”

“When you stand on the stage at the Vienna Musikverein, you hear all the great composers. Brahms stood there conducting his own work, Mahler was standing there conducting his own work. Then you have their sound, what they were listening to when they stood there.

“I have that sound in my ear. My wish is that something like that would happen in Korea, that it would have a venue where, when the Vienna Philharmonic comes here to play they can hear what Brahms heard or Mahler heard,” said Chung, adding that this is a very necessary step at the moment.

“Culture, music, art are not cash-and-carry. We can’t just make it up as we go along. Why not provide the very best venue?” Chung urged.

Pointing to how China is building phenomenal cultural centers and Japan boasts institutions with outstanding acoustics, Chung sounds a rallying call for Korea to do better. “Korea is way ahead in producing talent in every field. We need a place to house the talent.”

“I am going to bother everybody to realize this dream,” she says with determination.

“I’ve got ears to serve it. They’ve got the experience. I hope someone will use it for good.”

By Kim Hoo-ran (khooran@heraldcorp.com)