Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill recounts magic of chamber music
Richard Yongjae O'Neill speaks during a press conference at Somerset Palace Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Credia
By Anna J. Park
Violist prepares last installment of his 12-year-old Ditto Festival set for June
By Anna J. Park
Richard Yongjae O'Neill is one of the most beloved classical musicians in Korea with his warm and deeply-felt viola sound. It's not common for violists to gain popular support, partly due to the viola's neutral and less conspicuous sound than other string instruments like the violin and the cello, but Richard Yongjae O'Neill, the American artist of Korean descent, not only boasts stellar musical achievements as an internationally acclaimed viola soloist with an Emmy Award, two-time Grammy nominations and Avery Fisher Career Grant, but also enjoys a wide popularity in his motherland.
“I am so lucky, because I'm not myself that special at all, but I think I have been so lucky to have met these extraordinary human beings, who helped me evolve from this little country boy to be the musician I am today and hopefully the musician I want to be in the future,” the humble violist told a group of reporters in central Seoul, Monday.
Part of his popularity in Korea has to do with his well-known commitment and dedication to nurturing young classical musicians. For the past 12 years, O'Neill has led the Ditto Festival, the nation's iconic annual chamber music festival, as the artistic director. Since 2007, the festival has introduced some of the most talented and up-and-coming young classical music stars to Korean audiences through over 130 performances over the years. Passionate chamber music performances by fresh, young artists have also helped to expand the classical music fan base to a younger generation in Korea.
And much to the dismay of many Ditto Festival regulars, the annual chamber music festival will present its last installment this June. The final three-week installment will bring back some original Ensemble Ditto artists like violinist Stefan Pi Jackiw and globally-acclaimed musicians like pianist Jeremy Denk, winner of a MacArthur Genius Fellowship and the Avery Fisher Prize. The festival is also loyal to its mission till its end, presenting young talented musicians, including Pianist George Liu, violinist Daniel Chong, violinist Yu-Chien Tseng and cellist James Kim.
O'Neill explains that the decision to wrap up the annual festival came naturally, as he himself is preparing for the next phase of his musical career. When he took up the post of artistic director, he was only 28. Now 40, the violist said he hopes some other artists in their 20s keep up the legacy of the Ditto Festival, with a much fresher vision and new ideas.
“While Ditto is finishing, I do hope that somebody in their 20s that truly has the love of music ― the love of music guides them ultimately ― and not anything else will come up with some better ideas or something that's different; and they will be the next step. … I think it's best this journey of Ditto ends, but I am very hopeful, because music needs to be heard, and hopefully music of high-quality, integrity will speak to people; and I eagerly await somebody to fill the plate,” he said.
Richard Yongjae O'Neill speaks during a press conference at Somerset Palace Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Credia
Although his annual chamber music festival ends this year, the violist said he is proud that he has helped spread the charm of chamber music to Korean audience members. Unlike great symphonies by composers like Wagner, Mahler and Strauss, which require a large-size orchestra, O'Neill said the charm of chamber music lies in its level of intimacy, which speaks directly to the audience.
“We have all the great composers, and a lot of their ideas are so incredibly intimate, confiding the secrets of the universe; and it's so special, but it needs protection, you know,” O'Neill said.
“It's magical, it's truly the magic of music to me, is that you got a room full of very different people and we can all go a concert hall and hear somebody playing, and it will all communicate to us in a very personal way. I just find it amazing; in this world, where everyone disagrees and the world that constantly try to understand each other, it's so amazing that music speaks directly to us,” he added.
The star violist recounted that it wasn't always easy to strike a balance between a need for popular performances that guarantee ticket sales and a challenge to introduce contemporary music pieces. That's why the last edition of the festival also included contemporary music pieces by young Korean composer Choi Jae-hyuck, the first prize winner of the Geneva Competition in 2017.
“We need to support new music. It might not sell out concert halls; my philosophy in art is that sometimes art is not about commercial success. I mean, ultimately, it really has to be about speaking to people, and making connections and expressions. Whether it is commercial success or commercial failure, if you touch one person in the audience, it's worth it; I truly believe that,” O'Neill said.
Richard Yongjae O'Neill speaks during a press conference at Somerset Palace Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Credia
O'Neill stressed that the past 12 years spent as the artistic director of the music festival also reaffirmed his long-held belief that music is “unspeakably sublime” and its timeless universal characters can enrich people's lives and broaden their perspectives.
“I think ultimately this life is such a mystery; why we're here, what does it mean, what happens when we die, these loves are the eternal things, you know. But I truly believe music is a way to show us that there's something more. There is something; we can't write it down, or say what it is or hold it, but there's something more, and that to me is worth everything,” O'Neill said.
What will he do after the festival in June ends?
“My short-term dream is to play better every day and improve. Any musician will say the same thing. It's the constant evolution. And my strategic vision of my life is not based on, say, conquering the next thing, but just realizing and honoring my physical body,” he said.
He added he doesn't look at life from a linear, accumulative perspective; rather as a new chance and new gift every day, being grateful for being alive.
“Every day that I wake up when I am alive is a new day; yet another gift, another chance to make music, and to be alive and to be around people I care about. … Every day you get a new chance.”
The last installment of the Ditto Festival, dubbed “Magic of DITTO,” starts on June 12th and continues until June 29th at the concert halls of Seoul Arts Center and Goyang Aram Nuri Arts Center. More information can be found at
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