Korea Times spring concert brings hope to pandemic-weary people

The Korea Times' annual spring concert took place in the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

By Dong Sun-hwa

A slew of concert goers flocked to the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on Saturday to enjoy The Korea Times' annual spring concert, filling more than a half of the 2,505 seats in the Concert Hall.

Award-winning pianist Lim Dong-hyek ― who became the youngest pianist ever to ink a recording contract with the world-famous classical music label EMI Classics (Warner Classics) at the age of 17 ― took the stage for the "Spring Concert: New Era Brings New Hope" with Korean-Austrian conductor Christopher Lee and the Korean National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). Currently, Lee is the music director/chief conductor at Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pianist Lim Dong-hyek performs during The Korea Times' annual spring concert that took place in the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

The program of Saturday's concert, which was co-hosted by the Korea Times and its sister publication the Hankook Ilbo, included Bizet's Carmen Overture, Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23, and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 "From the New World."

"Bizet and Tchaikovsky faced criticism for being unconventional when they first showcased their works to the public, and Czech composer Dvorak was feeling homesick in the U.S. when he was working on 'From the New World,'" the NSO said. "But their adversities actually became the seeds of their masterpieces. So we want to impart a universal message of hope to people through our performances of these pieces."

Pianist Lim Dong-hyek, left, conductor Christopher Lee, center, and the members of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra during The Korea Times' annual spring concert that took place in the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Saturday / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Numerous cultural figures and diplomats assigned to Seoul attended the concert and praised the performers for their artistic prowess, while showing their appreciation to the organizers for hosting a meaningful event.

"It was a beautiful piano concert of Tchaikovsky featuring a wonderful pianist," Swiss Ambassador Dagmar Schmidt Tartgali told The Korea Times. "I think it also showed a relationship between Europe and Korea."

Audience members take their seats in the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, prior to the annual spring concert hosted by The Korea Times, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

"The concert was a great event," Italian Ambassador Federico Failla said. "In such difficult times, culture is certainly a valuable contribution to finding solutions that lead to a better world. I would like to express my gratitude to The Korea Times for such a precious initiative."

Turkish Ambassador Durmus Ersin Ercin said, "I really appreciate The Korea Times for inviting me to this concert, which is an event for everyone. Pianist Lim Dong-hyek looks like a genius who has a bright future ahead of him … Throughout the world, I have seen a lot of other talented Korean maestros and musicians, too."

Chairman Seung Myung-ho of The Korea Times and the Hankook Ilbo, left, shakes hands with Ramzi Teymurov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to Korea, at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, prior to the annual spring concert hosted by The Korea Times, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Echoing that sentiment, Ramzi Teymurov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to Korea, said, "I think Lim is one of the best pianists in Korea. The performance of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra was also great."

Established in 1985, the NSO ― formerly known as the Korean Symphony Orchestra (KSO) ― was recently named by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a "national orchestra."

From left are Korean National Symphony Orchestra President Choi Jung-sook, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee, conductor Christopher Lee, pianist Lim Dong-hyek, The Korea Times and the Hankook Ilbo Chairman Seung Myung-ho and The Korea Times Managing Editor Kim Jae-kyoung after the annual spring concert hosted by The Korea Times at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

"On such a nice spring day, the NSO has demonstrated its abilities through quality performances," Culture Minister Hwang Hee, who also attended the concert, said. "It seems the NSO has enhanced Korea's dignity in the field of music."

Chairman Seung Myung-ho of The Korea Times and the Hankook Ilbo said, "Nothing would have been possible without the help of Minister Hwang. We are truly thankful. We hope today's event helped people put behind the difficulties brought on by the ongoing pandemic and find a moment for healing."

Audience members wait to enter the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, prior to the annual spring concert hosted by The Korea Times, Saturday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk