Classical music lovers will be able to witness the chemistry between the 95-year-old Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and its 37-year-old music director Yannick Nzt-Sguin at the Seongnam Arts Center in Gyeonggi Province on Sunday.

For the orchestra’s third concert in Korea and the first since Nzt-Sguin assumed his post, the Canadian conductor and the orchestra will perform a wide-ranging repertoire, from Dutch contemporary to classical Russian music. 

Dubbed the Dutch cultural ambassador alongside the world-famous Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the RPhO will start with Johan Wagenaar’s Cyrano de Bergerac Overture, Op. 23, a piece rarely performed in Korea. The Dutch composer enjoys a close relationship with the orchestra, and his works are said to reflect the identity of the orchestra ― dynamic and diverse.

The concert will continue with Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 featuring prominent cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras, known for crossing from contemporary to Baroque music with ease. The concert will close with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6.

“Tchaikovsky pieces are regarded as a barometer of an orchestra with strong basics. It seems that the orchestra wanted to show their Dutch identity first, and close with their strength flaunted,” said Roh Tae-hyun, a music critic.

Founded in 1918 in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam, the orchestra has a tradition of inviting young conductors to ensure dynamism and diversity in member formation as well as repertoires. Internationally acclaimed conductors such as James Conlon, who served from 1983-1991, and Valery Gergiev from 1995-2008, were in their 30s when they took the helm of the orchestra while Sir Simon Rattle was only 25 when he was appointed the guest conductor.

“The orchestra is known for having diverse backgrounds, inviting conductors, musicians and guest artists from all over the world to remain fresh and open,” Roh said. “One point to focus on is how people with different cultural backgrounds create rich and sophisticated music,” he added.

Tickets are priced between 40,000 won and 180,000 won. For reservations, call 1544-8117. For more information, call (031) 783-8000.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)