Eschenbach to replace Chung for SPO season opener Christoph Eschenbach, music director of the National Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra for its first concert on Jan. 9 following Chung Myung-whun’s sudden resignation. / Korea TimesBy Kwon Ji-younRenowned German conductor Christoph Eschenbach will helm the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) for its first concert following Chung Myung-whun’s abrupt resignation as music director.The SPO said Monday that they have invited Eschenbach to conduct the SPO’s season opener at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday evening.Under the baton of Eschenbach, the SPO will perform an unchanged program of Bruckner’s Ninth Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, Op. 64, with violinist Choi Ye-eun.The SPO found itself in a tight spot last week after Chung offered to resign in a letter addressed to SPO employees, adding that he will not be conducting the nine SPO performances scheduled throughout 2016. His notice came amid an investigation into allegations that his wife conducted a smear campaign against former SPO CEO Park Jan 5, 2016
Chung Myung-whun fights back tears at last concert By Kwon Ji-younThe audience gave a standing ovation to bid farewell to Chung Myung-whun at the end of his final performance with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) Wednesday evening. Chung fought back tears as he shook hands with all 85 musicians, and wished guests a Happy New Year as he reached the end of a decade as music director of the nation’s top orchestra.“The orchestra was great tonight,” the maestro told reporters as he left the Seoul Arts Center. “I hope they continue to do well.”Before the concert, SPO musicians clad in concert attire distributed oamphlets to reporters and audience members. These reminded them that the SPO’s controversies are rooted in former SPO CEO Park Hyun-jung’s abuse of employees and claimed that the perpetrators had been turned into victims and the victims, perpetrators.“Park, in the name of reform, abused her subordinates, and consequently 13 of the SPO’s 27 administrative staff have quit over the last two years,” the plea reads, mentioning that the remaining employees suffeDec 31, 2015
Chung Myung-whun steps down from Seoul Phil By Kwon Ji-youn Chung Myung-whun, music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), offered to resign Tuesday, a day after the SPO board and the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) delayed the renewal of his contract.“It is with great sadness that I write this letter of departure from the SPO at the end of my tenth year as your music director,” Chung said in a letter sent to both SPO musicians and administrative staff.“I regret that I cannot continue as your music director, but as I have said before, there is one thing more important than music, and that is humanity. Until this issue is resolved, it is impossible for me to continue my musical work with you.”According to an SPO official, Chung sat down with CEO Choe Heung-sik around noon Tuesday to inform him of his intent to step down as music director. Chung will conduct tonight’s SPO concert as scheduled, but the SPO said they are currently looking for a replacement for performances lined up in 2016.Chung, in his letter, said the SPO’s achievements have been overshadowed by fabricateDec 29, 2015
'Seoul city government to delay re-signing maestro Chung Myung-whun' The Seoul city government said Monday that it will reconsider re-signing Maestro Chung Myung-whun as music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), Yonhap reported.The Seoul City Government’s spokesman, Kim In-cheol, said that a discussion on renewing Chung’s contract is under way but that any final decision regarding the issue is on hold.Chung and the SPO have been under constant scrutiny since late last year after SPO employees accused former CEO Park Hyun-jung of sexual and verbal harassment. Park, for her part, alleged that Chung was behind the defamation campaign.In August, the police cleared Park of the accusations and instead booked the employees. In a new development on Sunday, the police said they have recently booked Chung’s wife, surnamed Koo, without detention for allegedly instructing SPO employees to tarnish Park’s reputation.The SPO on Monday was scheduled to decide on the renewal of Chung’s one-year contract signed last December. Earlier in August, the maestro said that he would not renew his contract as music director. Dec 28, 2015
Band experiments with hybrid sounds Members of indie band Jambinai — Sim Eun-yong, second from left, Lee Il-woo, center, and Kim Bo-mi, second from right — join with members of the audience after a performance in Europe. / Courtesy of JambinaiBy Baek Byung-yeulWhen three graduates from Korea National University of Arts (K-ARTS) formed the band Jambinai six years ago, no one expected they would be recognized around the world for pursuing their own unique sounds combining gugak (traditional Korean music) instruments with modern rock music.Using traditional instruments such as the “piri” (flute), haegeum (fiddle) and geomungo (six-stringed zither) with an electric guitar, they have delivered their signature frenzied sounds, breaking expectations of what Korean music can be.While the band was first recognized here, receiving the Best Crossover Award at the 2013 Korean Music Awards, Jambinai has earned more attention in Europe than at home, featuring in a slew of European festival stages. Last year, Jambinai became one of the first Korean bands to draw crowds at the UK’s Glastonbury FestiDec 21, 2015
Ministry seeks to root out music chart manipulation By Kwon Mee-yooThe government said Tuesday that it had ordered the Korea Music Content Industry Association (KMCIA) to come up with measures to root out the manipulation of music charts.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) sent out an official notice to the KMCIA, demanding it establish steps to prevent bulk purchasing, adjustments of the time of release and chart-counting system.Currently, Korean music providers update their charts once an hour and as long as a song tops the charts for even an hour, it can be promoted as a no.1 song.So record companies prefer releasing new songs at midnight and trying to clinch the top position upon release in the morning when competition is relatively low.For instance, Psy's new album “Chiljib PSY-Da,” EXO's winter special album “Sing for You” and G.O.D's single “A Funny But Sad Day” were released online at midnight.Though there are no set rules, most new music in Korea is released online at either midnight or noon. Topping the charts on the day of release is a make-or-break goal for the success of Dec 15, 2015
Pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon grateful for concert opportunities Pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon speaks during a press conference at Kumho Art Hall in Seoul, Tuesday. He will be next year’s artist-in-residence for Kumho Art Hall. / YonhapBy Kwon Ji-younSunwoo Ye-kwon gained recognition in Korea relatively late in his career, but he’s just glad it happened before he turned 30.The 26-year-old pianist, the artist-in-residence for Kumho Art Hall for 2016, told press Tuesday that the focus of his career has not been on reaching stardom or winning prize money, but on performing music that resonates with audiences.“It’s a lifetime job, after all,” Sunwoo said. “And there is definitely room for improvement. This is why I am so grateful to have been named next year’s artist-in-residence. A pianist needs to perform.”Sunwoo made his New York City debut at Carnegie Hall in 2009 as the winner of the Florida International Piano Competition. In April, he became the first Korean to win the International German Piano Award, and in 2014, the first Korean to win the Vendome Prize at the prestigious Verbier FestivDec 15, 2015
UBC dancer wins prima ballerina award Kim Na-eun, a principal dancer with the Universal Ballet CompanyBy Kwon Ji-younKim Na-eun, a principal dancer with the Universal Ballet Company (UBC), was named Prima Ballerina by the Korea Ballet Association (KBA), Monday.The awards ceremony, to take place at the Banyan Tree Club and Spa in Seoul tonight, acknowledges notable figures in dance who have contributed to the development of Korean ballet this year. It will be followed by a KBA year-end banquet.Kim has been recognized for her appearances in the UBC’s productions of “Multiplicity: Forms of Silence and Emptiness,” “La Bayadere” and Graeme Murphy’s “Giselle.” She is a natural on the stage, known for her technique and expression that have illumined many other roles. Her repertoire includes both classical and contemporary dance, and her work, which also include “Swan Lake,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Don Quixote,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Nutcracker,” among others, have received steady critical acclaim.In 2012, she took Dec 14, 2015
Classical treats fill the holiday season The Universal Ballet will mount Mariinsky Ballet’s version of “The Nutcracker” at Universal Arts Center in Seoul from Dec. 18 to 31. / Courtesy of Universal Ballet CompanyBy Kwon Ji-younConcertgoers are in for a classical treat this holiday season as local and visiting performing orchestra pull out all the stops to make for a merry end to the year.Paavo Jarvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen (Bremen German Chamber Philharmonic) will wrap up this year’s long list of visiting ensembles with a Schumann-focused repertoire. The Estonian-born American conductor, known for his intensity on the podium, will be joined by Korean pianist Kim Sun-wook for the German composer’s Symphony No. 4, after performing the Overture, Scherzo and Finale at the Seoul Arts Center (SAC), Dec. 16.The SAC has also prepared a year-end Special Stage set to feature young musicians, prominent conductors and the nation’s top orchestra.The Little Singers of Paris / Courtesy of SPA EntertainmentOn Sunday, violinist Lim Ji-young, the first Korean winner of the Queen ElDec 6, 2015
Kim Sun-wook's late 20s bring agony, own sound Pianist Kim Sun-wook performs during a press event at Munho Art Hall in central Seoul, Friday. / YonhapBy Kwon Ji-younRiding on the back of an extraordinary classical music boom here that started with Cho Seong-jin’s win at the 17th International Chopin Piano Competition in October, pianist Kim Sun-wook, who rose to international stardom almost 10 years before Cho, is playing his fingers to the bone, with recitals lined up and a new album flying off the shelves.Kim, who made a name for himself when he won the Leeds International Piano Competition at age 18, is now a versed pianist in his late 20s, a time of agony and hardship, according to acclaimed pianists such as Paik Kun-woo and Chung Myung-whun.“Now that my late 20s are here, I think I understand what they meant when they advised that it would be a difficult time,” the pianist, 28, said at a press event, Friday. “But I’m finding my own sound. I’ve developed a clear preference, and I’m able to better perform the kind of music I would like to perform.”The same agony went into preparaDec 4, 2015
