Composer Hong Jun SEO's New Violin Concerto "Focus of the Fractal"

The piece was premiered with violinist Friedemann Eichhorn, conductor Stefan Blunier, and the Mannheim University of Music Symphony Orchestra in October 2020

Hong Jun SEO recently talked with The Violin Channel about his new work.

"In general, I get my inspiration from books, the natural environment, travel, and everyday life," Hong Jun SEO told The Violin Channel.

He started composing the work after reading a book about mathematics. Subsequently, the piece came to represent a fractal, a structure in which each part has the same statistical character as the whole.

"This work was completed in October 2011 and was composed for the now-defunct Queen Elizabeth Composition Competition. And for me, it brought good results as a finalist. But unfortunately, it didn't premiere despite my efforts. Many performing groups said that the solo violin is too difficult, and the overall composition of the orchestra is too large.

"But in 2018, the opportunity to perform it came. I got a call from my school, the University of Mannheim to premiere the work. It was a really happy moment — one that I was very much anticipating and imagining.

When asked what he hoped listeners would get from the piece, Hong Jun wanted to inspire the visual imagery of their choosing. He also hoped they could hear how the orchestra connected with the solo instrument in the cadenza.

"Finally, I hope that the piece sparks emotions," he added. "In fact, in music, the various viewpoints of the composer are important, but I think that music is only as important as the listener's emotions."

"Once again, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Friedemann, Stefan, and the many other musicians who worked hard for the premiere of my violin concerto."

FRIEDEMANN EICHHORN | HONG JUN SEO |'FOCUS ON THE FRACTAL' VIOLIN CONCERTO | STEFAN BLUNIER & MANNHEIM UNIVERSITY OF MUSIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 2020 WORLD PREMIERE