[Review] Do You Know Who Composed the Wedding March Often Heard at Wedding Venues?

'Sulsul Classic: The Concert' First Stage... A Classical Performance That Kept the Audience Laughing
Popular as a Podcast, Now on Stage from This Year... In September and December at Lotte Concert Hall

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] "You will probably be surprised when you hear the first piece." After Lee Sangmin, director at Warner Music, confidently said this, the pianist Choi Hyunho played Richard Wagner's 'Wedding March.' It is the very piece everyone has heard at weddings when the bride enters.

After the performance, Director Lee Sangmin continued with a playful tone. "How was it? Surprised, right? Actually, the 'Wedding March' is the piece pianists dislike playing the most, but Mr. Choi Hyunho endured the pain and performed it for us." Laughter erupted from the audience. Hwang Deokho, a jazz columnist who co-hosted the event, added some light wordplay to the audience's amusement. "I was really surprised. It's the first time I've heard this piece at a concert hall rather than a wedding venue. I know someone who has been married several times, and whenever this piece plays, they start marching."

The 'Sulsul Classic: The Concert' held on the 13th at Lotte Concert Hall had a very different atmosphere from typical classical concerts. Laughter, which is rarely heard at classical concerts, continued throughout. A host who is not usually seen at classical concerts appeared, introducing each piece and adding fun after every performance. It felt like a live radio broadcast. The hosts were Director Lee Sangmin, columnist Hwang Deokho, and editor Lee Jiyoung of 'Club Balcony.' Their seamless teamwork sparked interest and helped the audience understand classical music. Editor Lee Jiyoung played the role of an older sister keeping her mischievous younger brothers in check. After jokes between Director Lee and Columnist Hwang, Editor Lee provided explanations about the pieces. "'Wedding March' is actually an interlude from Wagner's opera 'Lohengrin.'"

From the left, Deokho Hwang, jazz columnist, Jiyoung Lee, editor-in-chief of 'Club Balcony,' Sangmin Lee, director at Warner Music
Photo by Moon Hyuk-hoon, provided by Credia

Sulsul Classic was created to deliver classical music to the public in a simpler and more enjoyable way. Originally, Director Lee Sangmin, Editor Lee Jiyoung, and Columnist Hwang Deokho produced a podcast with the nicknames 'Manner Lee,' 'Sophie,' and 'Daegangbu,' respectively, in collaboration with the performance planning company Credia. As the podcast gained popularity for its easy and fun classical music commentary, this year they decided to get closer to the public. They prepared a concert stage combining commentary and performance under the name 'Sulsul Classic: The Concert.' They planned four face-to-face performances with the public at Lotte Concert Hall this year, but the March concert was canceled due to COVID-19, and this day marked the first performance.

For the concert, the Sulsul Ensemble was formed. Besides pianist Choi Hyunho, violinists Han Sujin and Kim Jiyoon, violist Shin Yunkyung, cellist Lee Kyungjun, and double bassist Jo Yongwoo performed together. They presented eight pieces in various arrangements, including piano solo, a string quintet arrangement of the fourth movement of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5, piano and violin ensemble, and string quartet.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's most famous serenade, 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik,' was performed as a string quintet. After the performance, Director Lee Sangmin joked, "Older audience members might have thought of the 'Janghak Quiz' program," eliciting laughter from the audience once again.

'Sulsul Classic: The Concert' Performance Scene
Photo by Moon Hyuk-hoon, provided by Credia

Han Sujin and Choi Hyunho performed Pablo de Sarasate's representative piece 'Zigeunerweisen' together. After the piece, it was explained that Sarasate, along with Niccol? Paganini, is considered one of the most technically skilled violinists, and this piece incorporates all violin techniques, making it very difficult to perform.

The hosts also interviewed the performers to share how they feel when playing the pieces and explained the role of the viola between the violin and cello through the performers' words. The three classical experts provided excellent guidance, making classical music accessible to everyone. The concert concluded with Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March,' a piece always heard at weddings, just like the opening 'Wedding March.'

'Sulsul Classic: The Concert' will continue with the second and third performances titled 'Autumn, Longing' on September 12 and 'That Winter Was Warm' on December 5 at the same venue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.