World-renowned violinists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony, who are married both in life and musical partnership, will perform together in Korea for the first time on August 26. The celebrated couple will join the acclaimed Sejong Soloists as part of the chamber ensemble's prestigious "Hic et Nunc!" series at the Seoul Arts Center.
The program will showcase two stunning double violin concertos performed with Sejong Soloists. The evening will feature Bach's beloved Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, alongside Avner Dorman's Concerto for Two Violins, "Nigun of the Birds," which will receive its Asian premiere. Dorman's contemporary work, which had its world premiere at Carnegie Hall in April 2025, brilliantly reimagines Bach's contrapuntal textures and polyphonic style through a modern lens, creating a captivating musical dialogue between Baroque traditions and 20th-century innovation.
The thoughtful pairing of these two concertos has influenced the entire evening's programming, which will also include works by Vivaldi and American composer David Diamond. Shaham and Anthony's collaboration with composer Dorman began when he proposed writing a piece specifically for the duo. "We were thrilled with the idea of a companion piece to the Bach Double," Shaham explained in a recent email interview. "The parts were divided naturally based on our strengths and musical personalities. The premiere at Carnegie Hall was unforgettable – the culmination of a deeply personal artistic journey."
Anthony described their creative process with equal enthusiasm, calling it "a beautiful dialogue that we all contributed to. The premiere felt as though we were giving birth to a new piece of music." As a performing duo, the couple places tremendous value on their shared rehearsal time, considering it as important as the performances themselves. "We're fortunate to perform together fairly often," Anthony noted. "We discuss everything together, from the programming to the artistic interpretation. Because we have such deep trust and understanding as a couple, it's a very organic and open dialogue where we both contribute equally to the final decision. It's a wonderful synergy of our lives and our art."
Both artists share a profound appreciation for Bach as their primary musical inspiration, though Anthony also singles out jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald for her remarkable clarity and unmatched style. Their three children all play musical instruments, but Shaham and Anthony prioritize their children's happiness over any professional musical ambitions. "Our hope is that music enriches their lives and becomes a source of beauty and expression," Shaham shared.
Shaham launched his extraordinary career with his debut at just 10 years old, establishing a musical journey that has spanned over four decades. Since his first visit to Korea in the mid-1990s, he has appeared regularly with prestigious ensembles including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in 2010, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in 2016, the Vienna Symphony in 2022, and the KBS Symphony Orchestra in 2023. His connection to Sejong Soloists runs particularly deep – he is not only a former student of the ensemble's founder Kang Hyo but also a long-time collaborator, having performed with the group across Korea, the United States, and Europe, as well as on numerous acclaimed recordings.
Anthony brings her own impressive credentials to the partnership, having won the prestigious International Violin Competition of Indianapolis in 1996. Since then, she has built a distinguished international career marked by solo appearances with renowned orchestras worldwide. Her relationship with Sejong Soloists is equally significant – she served as the ensemble's concertmaster for 12 years, providing crucial leadership and artistic direction.
For this remarkable couple, performing together in Seoul represents a rare and meaningful opportunity to share their combined artistry with Korean audiences for the first time. "The enthusiasm and deep knowledge of Korean audiences are unparalleled," Shaham observed. "To share this experience with Adele here for the first time is incredibly special." Anthony echoed this sentiment, adding, "We've heard so much about the passion of Korean audiences. We're eager to share our musical synergy with them in person."
The Hic et Nunc! Musical Festival serves as an annual celebration of chamber music, founded and supported by Sejong Soloists. This eighth edition of the festival runs from August 22 to September 5 at various prestigious venues throughout Seoul, including the Seoul Arts Center, Ewha Womans University, and Uncommon Gallery. The festival has established itself as a significant cultural event, bringing world-class musicians and innovative programming to Korean audiences each year.
Shaham and Anthony will perform with Sejong Soloists at 7:30 p.m. on August 26 at the Seoul Arts Center's Concert Hall. Tickets are available with prices ranging from 30,000 won to 150,000 won, making this extraordinary musical event accessible to a wide range of classical music enthusiasts eager to witness this historic first Korean performance by the celebrated duo.
