"Admiring the Depth of Korean Music... Look Forward to Beethoven Chamber Music"

Christoph Poppen, Artistic Director of 'Classic Revolution'

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] "Classic Revolution is a product of Korea's rich musical soil. It is not easy to organize a festival of this scale and level. I am glad to be able to hold the festival with only excellent and good domestic performers. We considered canceling the festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I thought the meaning of this festival was sufficiently valuable. I believe music can convey messages beyond entertainment."

Christoph Poppen, Artistic Director of Classic Revolution (photo), explained the significance of the 1st Classic Revolution during a press conference held on the 20th at Lotte Concert Hall in Jamsil, Seoul. Classic Revolution is a classical music festival organized by the Lotte Cultural Foundation, modeled after world-class European classical music festivals such as the Salzburg Festival. This year’s program was centered on Beethoven’s music in celebration of the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.

Despite ambitious preparations, the COVID-19 situation has resulted in showing less than half of the planned performances. Large-scale orchestra concerts such as those by the KBS Symphony Orchestra and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra were canceled, and the festival will continue with mainly chamber music performances until the 30th.

However, Director Poppen asked the audience to look forward to Beethoven’s chamber music. "It has been scientifically proven that Beethoven’s music shows strong energy as it progresses into his late period. Interestingly, the works that show such energy are not symphonies but late chamber music pieces. Among the chamber works, one can find Beethoven’s attempt to approach life positively despite difficult times."

[Photo by Lotte Cultural Foundation]

Born in 1956 in M?nster, Germany, Director Poppen has had a long relationship with Korea. He has taught violinist Clara Jumi Kang and members of the Novus Quartet chamber group, and also served as the head judge of the Isang Yun Competition.

"From the moment I was first offered the position of artistic director, I already had great interest and respect for Korean culture. Meeting many Korean students in Germany, I witnessed their outstanding abilities and growth, and was amazed by Korea’s profound musical culture."

Director Poppen is currently active mainly as a conductor but is also a violinist affiliated with the Cherubini Quartet. He will appear on stage as a violinist on the 25th. Together with pianist Kim Taehyung, he will perform Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas Nos. 1, 5, and 7. On the last day of the festival, the 30th, he will conduct the Seoul Tutti Chamber Orchestra.

On the last day of the festival, the 30th, he will conduct the Seoul Tutti Chamber Orchestra. At this time, the world premiere of Korean composer Jo Eunhwa’s piece "Sometimes Freely, Sometimes Pursuing" will take place. "I am pleased to premiere Jo Eunhwa’s work at Lotte Concert Hall. It has great significance in connecting with the contemporary era."

Director Poppen revealed that next year’s festival will feature the music of Piazzolla and Brahms. "Next year marks the 100th anniversary of Piazzolla’s birth. Brahms naturally connects with this year’s festival as he regarded Beethoven as a role model. Personally, Brahms is also a composer I greatly admire."

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