Mozart at 270: Seoul Philharmonic pairs two pianos with his Requiem

Put two Mozart works side by side and the emotional temperature changes. Brothers converse at two pianos; a chorus later gives voice to the Requiem.

The official Seoul Philharmonic listing schedules ‘Jaap van Zweden conducts Mozart's Requiem II’ for Oct. 24, 5 p.m. at Seoul Arts Center. Pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen join soloists Hong Ju-young, Lee A-kyung, Son Ji-hoon and Lee Dong-hwan, with the National Chorus of Korea. Works: the two-piano concerto K.365 and Requiem K.626 in the Süssmayr completion.

The interest is more specific than 'two classics': a playful exchange between sibling pianists is followed by the solemn work Mozart left incomplete. One programme makes the contrast audible.

Born in 1756, Mozart died in 1791 at age 35, making 2026 his 270th birth-anniversary year. He left the Requiem unfinished; Franz Xaver Süssmayr completed the commonly performed version. The orchestra itself frames the pairing as a contrast of light and shadow.

The orchestra's official page lists Oct. 24 at 5 p.m., Seoul Arts Center, approximately 85 minutes, conductor Jaap van Zweden, the Jussen brothers, four vocal soloists, the National Chorus and works K.365 and K.626. Süssmayr completed the Requiem after Mozart's death. Actual stage execution was not independently observed.

Reviews, encores and audience applause should be checked after a genuine performance report. This article describes the scheduled programme and its concept, not invented listener reactions.