The rigid format of classical compositions poses a challenge to musicians unlike any other genre. Forced to dig deep in order to apply a personal touch, the void between routine and extraordinary can be quite vast. On Halloween the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra will host an up-and-coming pianist who clearly possesses that special something. Wonny Song has packed a lot of achievements into his twenty years on the bench. Playing piano since the tender age of eight, he has won numerous competitions and grown accustomed to critical raves around the continent. Born in Korea and raised in Montreal, he is excited to visit Santa Barbara for the first time. Speaking from frigid Canada he longingly exclaimed, “I hear the beaches are awesome! And of course I’ll have to go to the vineyards.”

             Performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #3, Song will only have two rehearsals with the orchestra to put everything together. Fortunately the comfort factor is enhanced since he is friends with SBCO’s conductor, Heiichiro Ohyama, whom he met in Japan years ago. “It’s exciting for me because it’s my debut with this group and you don’t know exactly what’s going to happen.” Song speaks with great enthusiasm when discussing the composition at hand. “It has a lot of similarities with Mozart’s Concerto in D Minor. The first movement is very dramatic, very fiery. The second movement is so beautiful, serene and otherworldly. I always enjoy playing it.”

            The highlight of Song’s young career came a year ago when he had the honor of playing New York’s Carnegie Hall. “I was sooo nervous but it was thrilling at the same time. Anybody who says they’re not nervous before a concert is just lying,” he laughs. “The stress and the rigors are very similar to what an athlete experiences before a game.” He may be the star of the show on Halloween but Song understands the importance of balancing all the musical components. “Sure the soloist is always put in the spotlight but the concerto is a two-way dialogue. You don’t want it to be me against the orchestra. In order to truly collaborate it’s essential to have fun.”

            Speaking of having fun, when he needs to unwind, Song loves going to jazz clubs to appreciate the dramatic contrast between genres. “I admire what they do because totally different skills are required. In classical music we’re not allowed to compose on the spot. The details are so important and you have to respect the score very much.” Although he may not improvise like a jazz musician, the pianist approaches his art with a fresh intensity each time. “I’m very happy to be playing with the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra and I’m sure it’s going to sound wonderful.” In addition to the Beethoven piece, Mendelssohn’s Symphony #3 will also be performed, sans Song.