Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra dazzles audience at Korea International Festival

The Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) performs at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, Saturday, during the 40th Korea International Music Festival. Courtesy of Music Association of Korea

The Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO), based in the capital of Taiwan, mesmerized the audience with a performance at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, Saturday.

The performance was part of the Korea International Music Festival, an annual event featuring acclaimed orchestras around the world. This is the second time that the TPO has been invited to this festival. The first time was in 2018. Founded in 1985, the TPO has performed at major concert halls across the globe, including Wiener Konzerthaus in Austria and Symphony Hall in Boston, U.S.

On Saturday, the orchestra had a world premiere performance of "Through the Tamsui River" written by Korean composer Suh Soon-jung. The Tamsui River is known as the third longest river in Taiwan.

It also took the stage with E. Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85, and A. Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World," Op.95. Taiwanese conductor Lin Tien-Chi led the performances, which were also joined by Korean cellist Mun Tae-guk.

"It is an honor for Taiwan to witness the re-invitation of TPO after five years," the Taipei Mission in Korea said. "It has cemented relations between Taiwan and Korea."

One day before its performance in Seoul, the orchestra hosted the Forum for the East Asian Music Circle at Seoul City Hall in cooperation with the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, among others. The event intends to bring together Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong and Japan and have them share the essence of their musical aesthetics. This year, composers Pan Hwang-long from Taiwan and Lee Young-jo from Korea explored the unique music of the two countries, thereby facilitating the cultural exchange.