AROUND TOWN 1
(144).jpg?w=728)
Yuhki Kuramoto
Bupyeong Arts Center
Sep. 11
.jpg?w=728)
Yuhki Kuramoto, famous Japanese New Age pianist, will hold a concert at Bupyeong Arts Center on Sept. 11. / Courtesy of the Bupyeong Arts Center
Yuhki Kuramoto, a famous Japanese New Age pianist born in 1951, will perform a concert at Bupyeong Arts Center on Sep. 11. He released his first album “Lake Louise” in 1986 and it was a megahit. His music was introduced to the Korean public during the mid-1990s, and widely used in many forms of media, such as movies and advertisements. Over the past 10 years, his album has sold more than a million copies. Since his first concert in Korea at the Seoul Arts Center in 1999 sold out, he has been adored by Korean fans. This concert will mark the 30th anniversary of the release of his first album. Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (032) 500-2000 or visit
.
Kammer Symphonie Berlin
Seoul Arts Center
Sep. 16
Kammer Symphonie Berlin will hold its first concert in Korea with violinist Emil Chudnovsky at the Seoul Arts Center on Sep. 16. Founded in 1991, the Kammer Symphonie Berlin plays experimental compositions because it performed early 20th century modern classics that other orchestras have yet to play. The Symphonie has played with famous composers such as Alfred Schnittke and Jean Françaix. Other than its classic repertoire, the Symphonie has dabbled in playing music for other art genres, such as musicals, dance groups and literature. Jürgen Bruns, the common founder and conductor of the Symphonie, directed several international music concerts, and received the Platinum Music Award for an album worked with baritone Rein Alexander in 2006. For this concert, it will perform Divertimento in D major K.136, Violin Concerto No.5 in A major K. 219 and Symphony No.40 in G minor K. 550. Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 150,000 won. For more information, call (032) 500-2000.
Quatuor Ebene
LG Arts Center
Oct. 29
QuatuorEbène, a French string quartet founded in 1999, will hold a concert at the LG Arts Center on Oct. 29. The group, which is comprised of members and long-time friends Raphaël Merlin, Pierre Colombet, Gabriel Le Magadure, and Mathieu Herzog, is known chiefly for its musical versatility, performing a variety of genres equally deftly, such as classical and contemporary music and jazz. Indeed, some of QuatuorEbène's most popular performances stem from crossover, such as their rendition of the music from the score of iconic film "Pulp Fiction" and arrangements of classic hits of The Beatles. Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit
Kenny G
Jangchung Gymnasium
Oct. 10
American saxophonist Kenny Bruce Gorelick, professionally known as Kenny G, will hold a concert on Oct. 10 at the Jangchung Gymnasium. Widely acclaimed as the biggest-selling instrumental musician of the modern era and one of the best-selling artists in history, Kenny G was first brought to the public's attention following the release of his fourth album, "Duotones." Ticket prices range from 88,000 to 176,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1644-8097 or visit
Li Yundi, VadimRepin and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Seoul Arts Center*
Oct. 30 and 31
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will hold a concert with both Chinese pianist Li Yundi and Belgian-Russian violinist VadimRepin in southern Seoul at the Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 30 and 31, respectively. Founded in 1932 as a national broadcasting orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra played a pivotal role in welcoming European artists fleeing from political and social instability in the aftermath of the First World War. In more contemporary times, the Orchestra constitutes a substantial function in the summer cultural calendar of Sydney, including Symphony in the Domain, an outdoor concert held in a massive park. The Orchestra will perform first with Li Yundi, who is distinguished for being the youngest winner of the International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition, in 2000. They will collaborate on B. Smetana's "The Moldau" and J. Brahms's "Symphony No. 2," and Li will perform F. Chopin's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor." The following afternoon, the Orchestra will share the stage with VadimRepin, who was singled out by Yehudi Menuhin, himself considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century, as ‘the best and most perfect violinist.' The Orchestra and Repin will perform P. Sculthorpe's "Sun Music II" and J. Sibelius's "Symphony No. 2," and Repin will treat the audience to his rendition of M. Bruch's "Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor." Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 552-2505 or visit senakorea.com.
‘Brahms'
Seongnam Arts Center
Oct. 22 and 23
The WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne will hold a concert celebrating the work of Johannes Brahms at the Seongnam Arts Center on October 22 and 23. Founded in 1947 by the Allied forces following the end of the Second World War, the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne is chiefly known for its performances of 20th century and contemporary music. Over the two-day period, the orchestra will perform Brahms's symphonies, "Symphonies No. 1 and 2" the first day and "Symphonies No. 3 and 4" on the following day. Ticket prices range from 50,000 to 200,000 won. For more information, call (031) 783-8000 or visit
Itzhak Perlman
Nov. 15
Iraeli-american violinist Itzhak Perlman will hold a solo recital at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on Nov. 15. Having first taught himself to mimic the motions of a violinist on a toy fiddle at the age of three, Perlman first attended the Shulamit Conservatory and studied under Rivka Goldgart in Tel Aviv before relocating to the United States, where he continued to pursue his passion at the Juilliard School. Accompanied by pianist Rohan de Silva, Perlman will perform Leclair's "Sonata for Violin and Piano in D Major, Op. 9, No. 3," Brahms's "Sonatensatz in C minor, Op. posth. "Fae Sonata," "Beethoven's "Sonata for Violin and Piano in F Major, No. 5, Op. 24," and Ravel's "Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in G Major." Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 180,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1577-5266 or visit
Paik Kun-woo
Sep. 22
Pianist Paik Kun-woo will hold a solo piano recital in southern Seoul at the Seoul Arts Center on Sep. 22.Paik, who gave his first public concert with the Korean National Orchestra, aged ten, has studied at the most prestigious music institutions around the world and under a few of the most respected artists of his generation. Over the years, Paik has performed recitals in major musical establishments, including the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and is known for performing varied yet unfailingly enchanting selections as part of his repertoire. For this particular evening, Paik will delight the audience with his rendition of Alexander Scriabin's "24 Preludes, Op. 11" and Sergei Rachmaninoff's "Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 28." Ticket prices range from 50,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit
Anne Sofie von Otter and Camilla Tilling
LG Arts Center*
Oct. 1
Eminent Swedish sopranos Anne Sofie von Otter and Camilla Tilling will perform at the LG Arts Center on Oct. 1. Von Otter has had notable success in operatic roles of Mozart, Handel and Monteverdi; but her repertoire also includes popular rock and pop songs of the day. Tilling's opera career has gone from strength to strength since her astonishingly successful introduction at New York's City Opera as Corinna in Rossini's "Il viaggio a Reims." They will each be performing pieces by Mendelssohn, Lindblad, Grieg, and Shubert, among others. Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit
ViktoriaMullova and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Oct. 2
The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by Russian violinist ViktoriaMullova, will hold a concert in southern Seoul at the Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 21.Initially established in 1922 under a different moniker and having undergone a series of reconfigurations over the years, the BBC Philharmonic is one of five radio orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The orchestra, which has earned a reputation as the most adventurous of the BBC orchestras in terms of its playing style and choice of music, has a younger demographic of players. Its current chief conductor, the young Spaniard Juanjo Mena, definitely adds to the orchestra's musical audacity, for as one of the most highly regarded conductors, Mena has worked with many prestigious orchestras, and has released several critically acclaimed renderings of music by both prominent and more obscure artists. ViktoriaMullova, on her part, is best known for her recordings of numerous violin concerti, as well as her classical twist of popular and jazz compositions, such as the works of Mile Davis and Duke Ellington. The orchestra will perform Benjamin Britten's "Simple Symphony, Op. 4" and Franz Schubert's "Symphony No. 9," and Mullova will treat the audience to Jean Sibelius's "Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47." Ticket prices range from 50,000 to 250,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743 or visit
Sabine Meyer Trio
Sabine Meyer, who is considered to be one of the most accomplished soloists of today, will hold a clarinet recital at the LG Arts Center on Sep. 22. Born in Germany, Meyer made her debut at the age of 16, and subsequently continued her career as a member of first the BayerischeRundfunk Symphony Orchestra, then with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra as solo clarinetist. By then, however, her star had already begun to rise to previously unexplored heights, so much so that she embarked on a new career as a solo artist. Since then, she has performed numerous concerts, collaborated with other notable artists, and been in countless radio and television appearances all over the world. Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 90,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit
‘Liszt vs. Paganini'
Oct. 24
A quartet of internationally recognized musicians, known especially for their deft interpretation of the music of Franz Liszt and Niccolo Paganini, will hold a concert at the Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 24. Pianists Jo Jae-hyuck and Peter Klimo will be performing respectively a selection of Liszt's repertoire, such as "Grande Etude de Paganini No. 6 S141," "Venezia e Napoli, 3. Tarantella S162," "Dante Sonata No. 7" and "Années de PelerinageItalie S161," while violinists BaekJoo-young and Kim Da-mi will play various pieces by Paganini, ranging from "Cantabile in D Major Op. 17 MS109" to "Le Streghe Witches Dance." Ticket prices range from 30,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2658-3546 or visit
.jpg?w=728)
‘20 Years'
Oct. 15-18
Famed Korean rock band YB will hold a concert at the LG Arts Center from Oct. 15 to 18 in celebration of their 20th anniversary. Consisting of lead vocalist Yoon Do-hyun, guitarists Heo Jun and Scott Hellowell, drummer Kim Jin-won, and bassist Park Tae-hee, YB is commonly considered to be the most acknowledged rock band in Korea. They came to the forefront of the rock music scene during the 2002 World Cup with their renowned song "Oh! Pilsung Korea," an invigorating anthem that galvanized the entire nation during the most successful Korean run at a World Cup to date. In addition, 2011 became another auspicious year for the band, which participated in MBC's distinguished and wildly popular music show "I am a Singer" alongside seven other respected artists and rode on another wave of success as a result. They will perform many of their hit singles and signature songs, such as "A Flying Butterfly," "I'll Get Over You," and "Today." Ticket prices range from 77,000 to 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 749-9037 or visit
Grand Mint Festival 2015
Olympic Park
Oct. 17-18
.jpg?w=728)
GMF2015 will be held from Oct. 17 to 18 at the Olympic Park. / Courtesy of Mintpaper
The Grand Mint Festival 2015 (GMF2015) will be held from Oct. 17-18 at Olympic Park. Having taken place for nine years, the festival will feature about 50 Korean and international artists, including 10cm, Hyuk-oh and Dear Cloud. Re:plus, the jazz hiphop artist group, is coming from Japan as well. Apart from concerts, special campaign events to highlight the plight of endangered species will be held. This year’s artwork theme is to remember animals in polar regions that have been driven to extinction by indiscriminate poaching and global warming. The four stages of the festival include the Mint Breeze Stage, Club Midnight Sunset, Loving Forest Garden, and Café Blossom House. Ticket prices range from 88,000 to 150,000 won and people choose either a one or two day option. For more information, call 1544-1555 or visit www.grandmintfestival.co.kr.
.jpg?w=728)
‘Neolithic Culture in Korea'
The National Museum of Korea
Oct. 20-Jan. 31, 2016
The National Museum of Korea will host an exhibition entitled "Neolithic Culture in Korea" from Oct. 20 to Jan. 31, 2016. The Neolithic Era, also known as the New Stone Age, began around 10,200 B.C.E. in some parts of the Middle East, and ended between 4,500 and 2,000 B.C.E. During this prolific time in human and technological development, the Neolithic Era witnessed the beginning of farming, which spawned a revolution of sorts. Human beings during this time period began to display signs of cultural and behavioral progressions, which included the use of wild and domestic crops and domestication of animals for farm use. In terms of cultural development, Neolithic societies, especially in the East Asian region, began to produce early pottery and carvings, which precede the later bounteous development and advancement of pottery art in Asian cultures. On display will be numerous artifacts excavated from Dongsam-dong and Amsa-dong, the latter of which is famous for the prehistoric settlement site that was established after diagonal-line earthenware that corresponded to those of the Neolithic Era was discovered in 1925, and even more recent archaeological finds. For more information, call (02) 2077-9463 or visit
.jpg?w=728)
Naturally 7
YES24 Muv Hall
Oct. 17
American music group Naturally 7 will hold a concert at YES24 Muv Hall on Oct. 17, back by popular demand after their first concert in Seoul back in March. The group, which has made a name for itself for its distinct a capella style they have dubbed "Vocal Play," became more widely known to the public after joining Michael Buble's Crazy Love Tour in 2008; they took to the stage for a special appearance at one of Buble's concerts earlier in 2015. Naturally 7 primarily sing R&B with extensive beat-boxing, making for a refreshing sound that shuns the unnecessary accouterments that afflict modern pop acts and instead focuses on the most important element of music: the human voice. Naturally 7 will perform many of their singles like "Wall of Sound," as well as covers of popular songs from the discography of renowned artists, such as Herbie and Simon and Garfunkel.Tickets cost 99,000 won. For more information, call (02) 568-8831 or visit blog.naver.com/genicontents.
2015 K-Jazz Festival
Nanji Han River Park
The Korea Jazz Association is holding the first K-Jazz festival at Nanji Han River Park Oct. 17-18. Thirty Korean Jazz musicians from the 1970s to 2000s will perform, including Shin Kwan-woong Big Band, Ryu Bok-Sung Latin Band, Lee Jeong-shik and Prelude. Lee Jung-shik performed at the Seoul Arts Center, Seo Yeong-doh worked with famous Korean pop artists such as Sung Si-kyung and Lee So-ra, and Prelude is holding concerts at the Sejong Arts Center and Seoul Arts Center. A one-day ticket is 20,000 won and a two-day pass costs 30,000. For more information, call (02) 324-5103 or visit www.jazzkorea.or.kr.
.jpg?w=728)
‘In the Heights'
Samsung BLUE SQUARE Card Hall
Through Nov. 22
A production of the wildly beloved crowd-pleaser "In the Heights" will be staged at the Samsung BLUE SQUARE Card Hall from Sep. 4 to Nov. 22. Set over the course of three eventful days in the predominantly Dominican-American sector in New York City, "In the Heights" centers on the lives of Usnavi, a bodega owner who dreams of opening a business in his ‘Motherland' and pines for the beautiful woman working in the neighboring beauty salon, all the while taking care of the aging Cuban lady living next door. Meanwhile, Nina, Usnavi's childhood friend, returns from Stanford after having dropped out due to exorbitant student loans, and enters into a romantic relationship with Benny, the non-Hispanic assistant at her father's dispatch. Ticket prices range from 70,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1588-5212 or visit
‘Once’
Charlotte Theater
Sep. 22 – Nov. 11
The original “Once,” which received eight Tony Awards including “Best Musical,” is coming to the Charlotte Theater from Sep. 22-Nov. 11. The musical is based on a 2006 movie by Irish movie director John Carney. In 2007, the movie received 200,000 views, which was a record at that time for an indie movie, and it was re-released in 2014. It depicts the relationship between Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who fall in love with each other while making music. It was praised by the Chicago Tribune and Village Voice as the best music movies and one of the magnificent music movies of the century. Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 130,000 won. For more information, call (02) 577-1987 or visit
‘The Pride'
Soohyeonjae Theatre
Through Nov. 1
.jpg?w=728)
Received 8 Tony Awards including the Best Musical, the original ‘Once’ will be presented from Sept. 22 to Nov. 11. / Courtesy of Seensee Company
The Soohyeonjae Theatre will be staging a Korean rendition of "The Pride," a British prizewinning play on sexuality and subsequent repression, from Aug. 8 to Nov. 1. Written by Alexi Kaye Campbell in 2008, "The Pride" revolves around two parallel love stories, interweaving between 1950s Britain, when stringent laws and hostile public perception of homosexuality forces Philip, one of the main protagonists, to suppress his attraction to Oliver, and present-day England, where the modern-day Philip finds himself on the verge of destroying his relationship with Oliver through his relentless pursuit of anonymous sex. BaeSoo-bin and Kang Pil-suk will play the role of Philip, while the role of Oliver will be assumed by Jeong Dong-hwa and Park Seong-hoon. Ticket prices range from 40,000 to 50,000 won. For more information, call (02) 766-6007 or visit
‘Man of La Mancha'
D-Cube Art Center
A production of the musical "Man of La Mancha" will be staged at the D-Cube Art Center from July 30 to Nov. 1. Written by Dale Wasserman initially as a non-musical teleplay, "Man of La Mancha" is partly inspired by the eventful life of Spanish literary genius Miguel de Cervantes and his canonical work "Don Quixote." Cho Seung-woo and Ryu Jung-han alternate the role of de Cervantes/ Don Quixote. Ticket prices range from 60,000 to 140,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1588-5212 or visit
.jpg?w=728)
‘Rice'
Sep. 11 and 12
The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan will stage a production of "Rice" at the LG Arts Center from Sep. 11 to 12. Founded by renowned Taiwanese dancer, choreographer, and writer Lin Hwai-min in 1970, the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre is known for blending elements of both Asian mythology and folklore, and modern sensibilities to create its very own signature approach. Moreover, Cloud Gate dancers, who are trained in multiple disciplines, perform and borrow from artistic and philosophical/ motional traditions that range from t'ai chi and meditation to ballet and modern dance. "Rice," specially created by the troupe's heralded founder, coincides with the company's 40th anniversary. The inspiration for this latest venture stems from the natural landscape and story of Chihshang in the East Rift Valley of Taiwan. Over the years, this area, once contaminated by chemical fertilizers, has regained its title as the ‘land of Emperor Rice' through new farming techniques and practices. Lin reportedly traveled to the region with his dancers and joined the environmentally conscious farmers in harvesting the day's rice. From this singular experience came "Rice," which centers on the core elements – namely Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water – to depict the wonders of the natural world and mankind's exceptional ability and talent to destroy it. Ticket prices range from 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit
‘La Bayadère'
Oct. 27-Nov. 1
The Universal Ballet Company will stage a production of French ballet "La Bayadère" in southern Seoul at the Seoul Arts Center from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1. "La Bayadère" was created by eminent French choreographer Marius Petipa, set to the music of Austrian composer Ludwig Minkus. First performed by the Mariinsky Ballet in 1877, "La Bayadère" remains ever popular with the ballet community, rendered primarily in two different versions. Set in a mysterious, make-believe Royal India of the past, "La Bayadère" revolves around the eternal love of Nikiya, a beautiful temple dancer, and Solor, a noble warrior. Both bound to others in terms of duty, but bound to each other in true love, the holiest of sentiments, the two star-crossed lovers must battle through the treacherous High Brahmin and his equally vindictive daughter, Gamzatti, to be united in death. Ticket prices range from 10,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (070) 7124-1737 or visit
‘Onegin'
Nov. 7-8
The Stuttgart Ballet Company will stage a production of "Onegin" in southern Seoul at the Seoul Arts Center from Nov. 7 to 8. It tells the doomed love story of the timid yet charming Tatiana, whose object of affection, Eugene Onegin, cruelly rejects her and instead turns his salacious attentions on Tatiana's sister, Olga. His idle actions enrage Olga's fiancé and Onegin's close and only friend, Lensky, who challenges him to a duel and promptly dies. After leaving Russia, Onegin returns, many years later, to find that Tatiana, the woman he had heartlessly spurned, has grown into a beautiful and self-possessed woman. Although Onegin vociferously persuades Tatiana to leave her husband, Onegin's efforts are to no avail, a bittersweet fate that is reminiscent of Tatiana's pain years prior. Korean treasure and leading ballerina Kang Sue-jin will portray the tragic heroine Tatiana in her final role at the Stuttgart Ballet, while Jason Reilly will play the titular role of Onegin. Ticket prices range from 50,000 to 280,000 won. For more information, call (02) 1577-5266 or visit