[On Stage] Violist Park Kyung-min "'Personality + Harmony' Berlin Philharmonic is the Best in the World"

Interview with Park Kyung-min, the First Korean Full Member of the Berlin Philharmonic

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] "The Berlin Philharmonic creates a harmonious single sound while bringing out each performer's individuality. I believe the Berlin Philharmonic is the world's best orchestra."

Violist Park Kyungmin (29) became the first Korean full member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (Berlin Phil) in November last year. The Berlin Phil, along with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, is considered one of the two pillars of the world's orchestras. When I met Park Kyungmin at a cafe in Gwanghwamun on the 29th, he emphasized that the Berlin Phil is the best in the world because it respects each performer's individuality.

"Usually, orchestras emphasize that performers should not stand out or be prominent. The Berlin Phil is the opposite. Each performer's individuality strongly stands out. Even as a probationary member, playing quietly without individuality was actually disliked. There is no orchestra like the Berlin Phil that can bring out the performer's individuality while creating a unified sound. Of course, the Vienna Phil is also an excellent orchestra, but even the Vienna Phil tends to unite as an orchestra rather than showing each performer's individuality. The Berlin Phil has outstanding technique in clearly expressing each individual's personality while producing a unified sound."

Berlin Philharmonic Violist Park Kyung-min
[Photo by Etoile Classic, (c) Kang Tae-wook]

The most notable conductor in the classical world, Teodor Currentzis, made his debut on the Berlin Phil stage in November last year. However, he has not yet conducted the Vienna Phil. Currentzis is also a conductor at the center of controversy due to his ecstatic gestures and radical interpretations. Therefore, there are predictions in the classical world that Currentzis may never conduct the Vienna Phil stage. Park Kyungmin somewhat agreed.

"The Vienna Phil is a very conservative organization. They place great importance on their own traditions. Since Currentzis presents conducting that has never been experienced anywhere else, it seems difficult for the Vienna Phil to accept him by their standards."

The Berlin Phil's culture of respecting individuality seemed to offer opportunities to experience diverse music. "I already liked the Berlin Phil a lot, but after joining, my affection grew even more. Experiencing various conductors broadened my musical perspective and deepened its scope. I can only think, 'Ah! I am truly blessed.'"

Regarding Currentzis, Park Kyungmin said, "Even among Berlin Phil members, some accepted him well, and some did not. I don't know if the Berlin Phil will invite Currentzis again, but personally, I hope he comes back."

Park Kyungmin went abroad alone at the age of 13 and first settled in Vienna. After spending five years in Vienna, he moved to Berlin. "I learned a lot during the five years in Vienna, but I wanted to gain more diverse musical experiences in a bigger city, so I moved to Berlin. When I first went to Vienna to study abroad, it was just to gain experience as a child. I think it was after moving to Berlin that I thought, 'I want to make viola my profession,' and 'I want to do this for life.' Moving to Berlin also gave me the goal of joining the Berlin Phil."

As soon as he entered the Hans Eisler School of Music in Berlin, he had the opportunity to participate as a guest performer with the Berlin Phil. This was thanks to the recommendation of his teacher, Walter Quissner, a Berlin Phil violist. "From the moment I entered school, Mr. Quissner looked favorably on me. I think he thought I was good for my young age." Now, his teacher has become his colleague in the Berlin Phil.

Park Kyungmin started guest performances in 2008 and participated several times. In January 2018, he passed the audition and became a probationary member for one year and eight months before becoming a full member. He felt most acutely that he had become a full member at the first meeting. "Probationary members are not allowed to attend orchestra meetings because some content must not be disclosed externally. All orchestra members attend the meetings, which usually last about three hours."

Berlin Philharmonic Violist Park Kyung-min
[Photo by Etoile Classic, (c) Kang Tae-wook]

As the Berlin Phil is the world's best orchestra, was there not a great deal of anxiety about whether he could really succeed over a long period?

"I am not the type to think far ahead or worry in advance. I just dealt with the tasks given day by day, and somehow, I ended up here."

Having achieved his goal of joining the Berlin Phil, one might think he would become complacent and lose his sense of purpose, but Park Kyungmin firmly said it was the "exact opposite." "I think this is just the beginning. There is so much to learn. I have never felt like it was work. I have never thought it was boring. Since orchestra performances are guaranteed, I want to be active frequently as an ensemble player and soloist. I want to maintain a good balance and engage in diverse activities."

It seemed that performing itself had become the goal. "Since I am a lifetime member, one might think I cannot be dismissed, but the atmosphere in the Berlin Phil is not like that. Everyone wants to keep doing better and is very ambitious even while being part of the best organization for a long time. So I also feel constantly challenged. It makes me work harder."

Park Kyungmin will hold an online concert on August 3 at the German Cultural Center in Yongsan-gu. Together with pianist Son Jungbum, he will perform Brahms' "Sonata No. 2 for Piano and Viola." He already performed on the 26th at the Tongyeong International Music Hall in Gyeongnam and on the 28th at the Shinyoung Chamber Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. Using the summer vacation period, he held his first concert in Korea since becoming a full member of the Berlin Phil. Park Kyungmin said, "My next performance in Korea will probably be next summer."

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