Seoul Philharmonic announces plans for new year

Conductor Chung Myung-whun speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. / AP-Yonhap

By Do Je-hae

• Published Jan 17, 2014 3:09 PM KST
• Updated Jan 17, 2014 3:09 PM KST

By Do Je-hae

Seoul Philharmonic music director Chung Myung-whun said the orchestra will continue overseas tours this year.

The orchestra will give performances at the Edinburgh Festival and other festivals in Finland, Austria and Italy this summer. “We have managed to organize international tours year after year,” Chung said.

Under Chung Myung-whun's leadership, the orchestra has achieved significant growth musically and commercially. It is the first Asian orchestra to sign a recording contract with the prestigious German classical label Deutsche Grammophon (DG) in 2011. The contract enables the SPO to record two albums every year until 2015.

"I was worried about the recordings at first. But we're getting better. The Mahler 9th we recorded last year is something not many orchestras do these days. Our musicians prepared really well and the result is very good. I think it is the best recording we have done yet," Chung said.

The SPO and Chung have worked together since 2006.

Many credit the SPO with bringing new depth to the symphonic concerts, particularly through projects like the Mahler symphony cycle, a rare feat that only a few Korean orchestras have been able to undertake.

The orchestra has also conducted new projects, such as brass and composition masterclasses.