Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Sang-Eun Lee
We do have an outstanding roster of musicians for the January concert,” says John Jeter, music director and conductor of the Fort Smith Symphony. “I think the quality of the concert is going to be truly exceptional.
“As you know,” he continues, “we tend to do a lot of programs that are … rather different and not to be quite expected. Our January programs, however, are always our most traditional. These represent our core mission and have received over the years some of our most exceptional audience responses ever. This is a guaranteed highenergy concert of classical masterworks,” including “Romanian Folk Dances” by Bartok, Symphony No. 2, Op. 61 in C major by Schumann and Saint-Saens’ Cello Concerto, No. 1, Op. 33, in A minor, performed by guest cellist Sang-Eun Lee.
Praised by The Washington Post as “a prodigiously talented young artist with powerful technique and musical poise,” Lee claims a long list of honors and awards — among them the 2014 Young Concert Artists International Auditions — and her 2017-18 tour includes recitals at the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ Shenson Chamber Music Series, Abbey Church Events, Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University, The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, and as soloist with Sinfonia Gulf Coast, the Brevard Philharmonic and the Long Bay Symphony in addition to the Fort Smith Symphony.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, the 22-yearold attended the Korean National University of Arts from the age of 9, where she worked with Myung Wha Chung and Sang Min Park. She took time last week to answer these five questions for What’s Up!
Q. Was cello your first love as a child? If not, what was? And if so, what inspired it?
A. Yes, my first love was cello, but ironically I started the violin first when I was 9. But not long after, I switched from violin to cello. I think I loved sound of cello much better. In my opinion, cello sounds like a human voice, and it has depth [of] sound.
Q. What is your life like when you’re not traveling to perform?
A. When I am not traveling to perform, in my daily life I try my best to get inspired not only by practicing but also by doing many different activities. I like watching movies, especially documentaries and fantasies.
Q. You were very young when critics started reviewing your performances. How did you learn to handle that? Does it ever bother you?
A. I do not pay too much attention to what critics say because I have learned that as long as I can make at least one audience member inspired that would be considered a successful performance.
Q. Tell me, please, about your performance with the Fort Smith Symphony — the music and your interaction with the conductor?
A. I have not yet performed with the conductor, but I always consider my performance as a journey with the conductor. I am looking forward to the performance!
Q. What do you hope an audience takes away from your performance?
A. I wish that they can reflect on their lives (their happy moments) as I perform for them.