Classical music meets entertainment

Super Junior-M member Henry, right, performs with the Cantare orchestra on tvN’s “Always Cantare 2.” / Courtesy of tvN

By Kwon Ji-youn

The curtain fell on tvN’s “Always Cantare 2” Saturday with a stirring concert that was far from technically polished, but nonetheless poignant.

“Always Cantare 2,” a variety show that had celebrities unversed in classical music rehearse and perform with members of a professional orchestra, aspired to familiarize the public with such music in a more enjoyable and accessible way.

The last episode of the second season saw members of maestro Gum Nan-sae’s orchestra stage an inspiring finale at Yeouido Hangang Park on July 19, thereby concluding 70 days of practicing and rehearsals. About 2,000 guests gathered to watch as the star-studded orchestra went from helpless to harmonious.

The first act featured an intriguing blend of piano tunes with electronic dance music (EDM). Entertainer Park Myung-soo, also known as “G-Park,” and Super Junior-M member Henry, on the piano, opened with Michael Jackson’s “Love Never Felt So Good,” during which f(x) member Luna made a surprise guest appearance to enliven the crowd further.

Gum and the orchestra then took to the stage with Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol,” themes from the film series “Pirates of the Caribbean” and an orchestral version of rapper Psy’s “Gangnam Style.”

Especially moving was the orchestra’s rendition of composer Lee Sung-hwan’s “Eternity of Spirit,” which was performed to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Korea’s independence from Japanese colonial rule. The piece ended with an imposing delivery of the national anthem, for which guests rose from their seats.

“I think the Cantare orchestra may have given viewers the courage they need to truly love classical music once more,” Gum said.

The cellists, who had encountered all sorts of difficulties over the 70 days of rehearsal, looked especially enthused as the concert came to a close, and Henry, who had broken down in tears as he agonized over his solo for Vittorio Monti’s “Czardas,” stepped down from the stage looking exhilarated and satisfied.

At times, the members quarreled or suffered minor injuries from repeated practice, but through “Always Cantare 2,” some learned how to play an instrument for the first time, while others learned that patience and diligence can indeed move mountains.

Had the show focused more on the people and their stories and less on the rehearsals, it may have engaged more viewers.

Viewership of “Always Cantare 2” remained as low as 0.5 percent, but it was experimental, it was unlike the monotonous repertoire of today’s entertainment shows, and it gave classical music a chance to appeal to a younger demographic. A third season may want to reference the choir challenge featured on KBS’s “Qualifications of a Man” in 2010.