A trio made up of harp, double bass and percussion is a rarely seen combination – especially if one of the players – me - hails from the classical music segment. That alone makes my appearance somewhat special. I’m used to being the underpinning element of an orchestra with my double bass, backing up the other musicians. With Gubaidulina the three instruments are playing on a par with each other and the bass is given much more elbow room, both tonally and as an element in the soundscape. It’s a nice opportunity for once to showcase my instrument’s versatility. Musically and compositionally, too, the piece is uncharted territory for me, being located more in jazz or New Music; there are a lot of stretches written for solo double bass, which is played without a bow. And don’t underestimate the significance of playing at the same level as the seated audience: I can see their reaction to my performance and can communicate with them, as it were. I can’t wait!

Following his training in his Korean homeland, Lee embarked on a Master’s degree in Germany. He has been a member of the orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin since 2021.