Summer concerts to hear maestro Chung Myung-whun live

Conductor Chung Myung-whun, at the podium, thanks the audience after the end of a concert at the Seoul Arts Center in Seoul, Feb. 23. Courtesy of KBS Symphony Orchestra

June and July are packed with performances by maestro Chung Myung-whun, who was recently appointed the first Asian music director of Italy’s La Scala Theater, stirring excitement among classical music fans in Korea.

A pianist and conductor, Chung is currently serving as honorary conductor of KBS Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of Classic Busan, which operates the Busan Concert Hall opening later this month and the Busan Opera House scheduled to open in 2027. He will officially begin his tenure at Italy’s famed opera house in early 2027.

On Sunday, Chung will join the KBS Symphony Orchestra and pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon for an outdoor performance in Busan, featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73 “Emperor” and Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 “Fate.” The same program will be performed in Gyeongju and Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, on June 13 and 14, respectively.

A poster for Chung Myung-whun's concert with pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon / Courtesy of KBS Symphony Orchestra

On Thursday, Chung will again lead the KBS Symphony Orchestra at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul for the orchestra’s regular concert. The program includes Beethoven’s “Emperor” concerto, with Sunwoo on piano, and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6 in A major, WAB 106.

Chung will conduct the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra and the Changwon City Chorus in a celebratory performance at Busan Concert Hall on June 21, marking its grand opening. The program includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 “Choral” and the Triple Concerto in C Major, Op. 56, in which Chung will perform as pianist.

On June 25, he will return with the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra for a chamber music concert, featuring Mozart’s Flute Quartet No. 1 in D Major, K. 285, Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat Major, Op. 21, Schubert’s “Die Forelle,” Op. 32 (D. 550), and Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 “Trout.” Chung will play the piano for the quintet.

On June 27 and 28, Chung and the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra will present a concert version of Beethoven’s opera "Fidelio" at the Busan Concert Hall, featuring tenor Eric Cutler and soprano Hrachuhi Bassenz. "Fidelio," Beethoven’s only opera, tells the story of Leonore, who disguises herself as Fidelio to rescue her imprisoned husband. This concert opera will be performed without stage sets or costumes, focusing solely on the music and vocals.

Finally, on July 3, Chung will appear as a pianist in an ensemble concert titled “Chung Myung-whun and Virtuosi,” which he curated. The performance at the Seoul Arts Center will include Beethoven’s Clarinet Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 11 and Schubert’s “Trout” quintet. He will be joined by a group of young musicians including Clara-Jumi Kang and Young Song.

Born in 1953, Chung studied piano and conducting at Julliard School in New York City and conducted prominent orchestras around the world, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic.