The Sonata Series of the Beethoven Association of Korea — Heroic Beethoven
Seoul Arts Center* (See ‘Venues’ on the right for more information)
Aug. 29
To celebrate the 5th anniversary of its establishment, the association has been promoting Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas with 32 pianists, and has divided the performance into six sections. Its 4th performance is this August with “Sonata No.3 in C Major, Op.2-3” and “Sonata No.7 in D Major, Op.10 -3” planned. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3436-5929.
Ensemble TIMF — Sound on the Edge 2 ‘Oboe’
Ilshin Hall
Sept. 7
Since its establishment in 2001, TIMF Ensemble has been playing a role in promoting the Tongyeong International Music Festival at home and abroad. In cooperation with the Ilshin Culture Foundation, the ensemble will introduce the world of contemporary classical music with a special focus on the oboe. Tickets cost 10,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 3474-8317.
Il Gardellino
LG Arts Center*
Oct. 2
World-famous Baroque ensemble Il Gardellino will hit the stage for the first time in Korea. Founded in Belgium in 1988, the group borrows its name from Vivaldi’s flute concerto and features the traverso, oboe, harpsichord, violin and viola. Oboist and leader Marcel Ponseel will play Alessandro Marcello’s “Oboe Concerto in D minor.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.
Yunjie Chen & Chung Myung-wha
Kumho Art Hall
Aug. 25
For the 19th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and China, Chinese pianist Chen Yunjie will perform with Korea’s seasoned cellist Chung Myung-wha. The program includes “Piano Sonata No.8 in B-flat Major, Op.84” by Prokofiev, “Hungarian Rhapsody No.10 in E Major” by Liszt and “Sonata for Cello and Piano No.2 in F Major, Op.99” by Brahms. Tickets cost 20,000 to 30,000 won. Located near exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 6303-7700.
B-vocal A Cappella Group Special Invitational Concert
Seoul Arts Center*
Spanish a cappella quintet B-vocal will hit the stage after they won New York’s Harmony Sweepstakes Competition in 2010 and played encore performances on Broadway. Since its foundation in 1997, this group has tried to establish its own unique world of music, recreating the sounds of drums, guitars, brass and rhythm with its own voices. For this performance in Korea, the group is planning to newly arrange world-famous pop songs such as ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” the Bee Gees’ “Staying Alive” and Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 597-9870.
Seven Stars
Sept. 9
The concert “Seven Stars” will give the audience an opportunity to explore the world of classical music by renowned Korean musicians. Under the baton of maestro Chung Myung-whun, cellist Yang Sung-won and four young soloists — pianist Son Yeol-eum, violinist & violist Lee Yu-ra, violinist Shin Ara, cellist Young Song (Song Young-hoon) — will present the harmony of live chamber music. Guitarist-composer Lee Byung-woo will also participate in this ensemble performance. “Guitar Trios No.1 in A Major Op. 18-1, 4” by de Fossa and “Piano Trio No.1 in B flat Major, D. 898” by Schubert will be played. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 518-7343.
2011 Rain The Best Show
Gymnastic Stadium, Olympic Park*
Sept. 24-25
K-pop singer Rain’s first tour in Korea will kick off this August in Busan, and wind down on the stage at Olympic Park in Seoul on Sept. 24 and 25. The all-around entertainer, with achievements both as a singer and movie star, has gained popularity throughout Asia and even in Hollywood. In 2010 he became the first Korean star to win an award at the MTV Movie Awards. This will be the last concert tour for Rain before joining the Army at the end of this year. Tickets cost 55,000 to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3788-4827 or (02) 2581-3551.
Rush Hour Concert
LG Arts Center
Sept. 27, Oct. 11, Nov. 3
The LG Arts Center has been holding a series of concerts at 7 p.m. for office workers that usually suffer from heavy traffic jams during that time. In September, the chamber orchestra Camerata Antiqua Seoul will play popular songs that appear in commercials and film scores. In October, pianist Bae Jang-eun, winner of the 2007 Korean Music Awards, will perform jazz tunes. In November, indie band Kingston Rudieska will perform ska music, which is rooted in Jamaican culture and considered the origin of reggae music. The concerts will last an hour, and tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.
The Real Group
Sept. 27
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
The Real Group, a successful a cappella quintet from Sweden, will be on stage to welcome the autumn season. Sticking to jazzy arrangements, this group has composed and played a wide range of songs mixed with Swedish pop melodies, since its debut in 1987. In particular, “I Sing You Sing” is an introductory song much loved by a cappella beginners. “Words” and “Small talk” are often covered by many a cappella ensembles all over the world. The group is famous in Korea for performing at the opening ceremony of the 2002 World Cup, representing Europe. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.
X-Japan live in Seoul
Gymnastic Stadium, Olympic Park
Oct. 28
Japanese heavy metal band X-Japan will hold a concert in Korea on Oct. 28. X-Japan has been much loved since its debut in 1985 with “I Will Kill You” and has created sensational trends as an Asian pioneer of “visual rock.” The band reunited in 2007 after its breakup in 1997. Advance ticket sales will begin in August. For more information, call (02) 548-0597~8.
Seoul Arts Center Young Artist Opera Festival ‘The Elixir of Love’
Aug. 22-24
Seoul Arts Center has been holding an annual opera festival featuring young artists. This year, Chu Gye University for the Arts will stage “The Elixir of Love” by Donizetti. The opera tells the love story of a rural boy who buys an elixir of love from a drug hawker in order to win the heart of a beautiful woman. Tickets cost 10,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.
2011 Kim Yeon-woo Live Tour
Woori Art Hall, Olympic Park*
Through Aug. 27
Ballad singer Kim Yeon-woo will kick off a concert tour in Seoul (June 24 to 26) before moving on to Daejeon, Busan, Suwon, Daegu and Seongnam. After his debut 16 years ago, he has been loved by many fans as well as fellow singers who recognize him as an exceptional vocalist. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 556-5910.
Linkin Park
Sept. 8
American rock band Linkin Park will visit Korea for the third time after sellout concerts in 2003 and 2007. The upcoming performance will feature works from the group’s fourth album “A Thousand Suns,” which was released in 2010. The Grammy Award-winning, six-member band also celebrates fifteen years together. Tickets cost 99,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.
Princely Treasures: European Masterpieces 1600-1800 from the Victoria and Albert Museum
National Museum of Korea
Through Aug. 28
The exhibition allows visitors to appreciate the collection of luxurious treasures enjoyed by the ruling class of Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. The collection is from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, which is renowned for holding world-class decorative Baroque and Rococo artworks. A total of 101 pieces were carefully selected for the exhibition and were mostly made by top-class artisans of the time at the request of powerful and wealthy nobles. For more information, call (02) 2077-9271. The museum is located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4.
The Return of the Oegyujanggak Uigwe from France
Through Sept. 18
The National Museum of Korea will host a special exhibition celebrating the return of ancient royal books that were plundered by the French army in 1866. The event is aimed at bringing the public’s attention to the historical value of the books from the Oegyujanggak Archive from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2077-9686.
Yi Sung-yol ‘Why We Fail’
Mary Hall, Sogang Univ.
Aug. 25-Sept. 24
Celebrating the release of his third album, singer songwriter Yi Sung-yol will perform at the Mary Hall of Sogang University for a month. For this concert, he made all the videos first-hand and played a role in directing, from the visual effects to stage settings. Since his debut in 1997 as a member of the modern rock band U&ME Blue, Yi has become well-known by singing original soundtracks for several Korean films and dramas. His first solo album ranked 86th among the 100 best albums in Korean pop music history. Tickets cost 55,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Dae-heung Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 511-0380.
Legend of Popstar ’The Story of the Beatles’
Convention Hall, Cheju Tourism College
Through Sept. 4
Fab Forever, a Beatles’ tribute band from Las Vegas, visits Jeju Island and performs the famous songs that put the four Englishmen on the map under the title “The Story of the Beatles” for five weeks. A tribute band sees the performers aim to perfectly imitate all the aspects of a group from its music to external elements in order to commemorate the great work of the original artists. This band is well-known for looking similar to the Beatles and appeared on the popular television show, “Star King” on Aug. 6. Tickets cost 55,000 won. For more information, call 1544-9412.
JK Kim Dong-wook
Chungmu Art Hall
Through Aug. 20
R&B singer JK Kim Dong-wook will kick off his nationwide tour in Seoul. The singer, known for his distinctive masculine voice, has become renowned through talent shows including MBC’s “I Am a Singer” and tvN’s “Opera Star.” He hopes to reach out to the audience with just his vocal skills by singing songs in a quiet setting without visual embellishments. Located near exit 9 of Sindang station on subway line 6. Tickets cost 77,000 won to 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2230-6601.
Mid-time Fantasy Dance Performance
The National Theater of Korea
Through Dec. 13
The National Theater of Korea is offering a weekly noon program introducing traditional dance performances every Tuesday. Eight different performances featured by the National Theater Company will be staged along with detailed explanations for audiences. Tickets cost 5,000 to 10,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Dong-guk Univ. Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114.
Ballet Nacional de Espana.
Oct. 6-9
Audiences can enter the dynamic world of flamenco and Spanish dance at this unique performance. Since its foundation as the National Dance Company in 1978, “Ballet Nacional de Espana” has achieved international fame due to its outstanding flamenco and traditional Spanish dance steps. Extending beyond dance, the company has started borrowing the music of Manuel de Falla and Joaquin Rodrigo as well as Picasso’s stage art. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.
Spring Awakening
Doosan Art Center
“Spring Awakening,” a Broadway musical which was first staged in 2006 and took eight prizes at the 61st Tony Awards the following year, has been remade. The musical deals with the conflict between youths fascinated with sexual anxiety and adults sticking to an authoritative mindset. Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station on subway line 1. For more information, call (02) 744-4334 or (02) 708-5001~3.
Hedwig
KT&G SangSang Art Hall
Through Aug. 21
The rock musical is about a failed transgender rock singer from East Germany. The main cast features musical actors Choi Jae-woong and Jo Jung-seok as well as K-pop group Shinhwa’s Kim Dong-wan and screen star Kim Jae-wook. Tickets cost 50,000 to 65,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Samseong Station on subway line 2. For more information, call 1544-1555.
Moby Dick
Doosan Art Center Space 111
This musical promotes itself as an “actor-musician musical,” which means that all of the actors are in charge of acting, singing and even playing musical instruments. Based on Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick,” the musical sets the sailor Ishmael as the main observer of the story instead of Ahab, who was the main character in the book. Tickets cost 40,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station on subway line 1. For more information, call (02) 708-5001.