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| Yale University professor Hahm Shin-ik |
Yale University professor Hahm Shin-ik, 57, conducted an orchestra consist of some 30 international musicians at the inaugural concert of his orchestra Symphony S.O.N.G. (Symphony Orchestra for the Next Generation) at the Seoul Art Center in southern Seoul, last Saturday.
The orchestra played Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in d minor Op. 125, also known as "the Choral," reflecting Hahm's love and expertise in Beethoven ― even the conductor's hairstyle resembled that of the maestro.
He passionately twirled a baton to bring out the profound expression of Beethoven at a rehearsal last Thursday, two days ahead of the concert, before sitting down with The Korea Times to express his passion for music and the new orchestra.
"Four principles ― innovation, purity, fairness and transparency ― constitute Symphony S.O.N.G. I am a person who sticks to the principles and I don't compromise with those breaking them," Hahm said.
He handpicked each member after auditioning for three years based on the four principles, while other orchestra takes only 20 minutes to select its musicians.
The orchestra members come from diverse ethnic background, as Hahm was open to the diversity as long as they were sincere to music.
"This is my innovative way of forming the band. I pick members who truly deserve to play here, no matter where he or she studied and what school they graduated from," the conductor said.
The mission of Symphony S.O.N.G. is to share the music with various audiences in diverse ways and Hahm spends time to find out what the audience wanted to listen to.
"I play soccer with the local residents to know them better before the concert in the town. When Symphony S.O.N.G performed in Taebaek, Gangwon Province, last month, we did not play the same music we played in Seoul. We still performed the classical piece, but not in the same manner. We span the instruments and danced to the music. Playing refined music while leveling with the audience is my motto," said Hahm.
The musician has ambitious plans on the road. "My next project is to reform a truck into a mobile stage for the orchestra to travel around. While many talented musicians dream of playing inside a concert hall, the best stage is outside with nature," said Hahm.
