Hanwha Group to Host Hanwha Classic 2021 in December

Orchestra 'Hanwha Baroque Project' Composed of Domestic and International Early Music Artists

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoonju Hwang] The classical concert brand 'Hanwha Classic 2021,' hosted by Hanwha Group, will take place over two days from December 7 to 8 at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall.

This year's performance features soprano Seo Yeri, who mainly performs in Europe, and the orchestra ‘Hanwha Baroque Project,’ composed of domestic and international Baroque artists, presenting a special stage. Johannes Lirtauer from the Netherlands serves as concertmaster, with tenor Hong Minseop, bass Kim Seungdong, and countertenor Jung Minho performing together.

The ‘Hanwha Baroque Project’ will showcase works by two representative composers of the Baroque era: Germany’s J.S. Bach and Italy’s Giovanni Pergolesi. Beloved Baroque repertoire pieces such as Bach’s 'Coffee Cantata' and 'Concerto for Violin and Oboe,' as well as Pergolesi’s 'Stabat Mater,' will be performed over 90 minutes, embellishing the winter nights.

Soprano Seo Yeri (45), who specially returned from Germany for this performance, is praised as a vocalist who skillfully interprets both early music and contemporary music with a clear tone, precise pitch, distinct pronunciation, and scholarly interpretation.

The orchestra ‘Baroque Project’ is centered around Baroque violinist Kim Nayeon and includes familiar names to domestic early music enthusiasts such as Kang Hyojeong (Baroque cello), Kim Jaeyoon (Baroque viola), Arent Hrospelt (harpsichord), as well as internationally active artists like Jung Yuntae (traverso), Shin Yongcheon (Baroque oboe), Lee Hansol (Baroque violin), and Moon Junghui (violone). Particularly, Johannes Lirtauer, the most notable violinist in the field of historically informed performance, serves as concertmaster, raising expectations even higher.

Hanwha Classic will operate at 50% seating capacity in compliance with in-theater quarantine guidelines, with general ticket sales only available for the December 7 performance (all seats on December 8 are by invitation). Ticket prices remain the same as previous years: R seats at 50,000 KRW, S seats at 35,000 KRW, and A seats, including some choir seats, at 20,000 KRW.

Top-level Baroque melodies can also be enjoyed online. Both performances on the 7th and 8th will be available for free live streaming via Naver TV. Audiences can appreciate the vivid expressions of the performers and the warm tones unique to period instruments on their home TVs or mobile devices.

On the day of the performance, Professor Jung Kyungyoung will provide a clear and insightful preview commentary to aid understanding. Additionally, various online contents such as Q&A about early music and interviews with performers will be presented.

Marking its 9th year, Hanwha Classic has invited masters of early music, who are rarely accessible in Korea, to present to classical music enthusiasts. Artists such as Helmut Rilling, Marc Minkowski, William Christie, Andreas Scholl, and Jordi Savall have visited Korea to deliver beautiful performances.

Last year, due to the spread of COVID-19 making it difficult to invite overseas artists, a meaningful project was carried out with star performers including world-renowned early music soprano Lim Sunhye and baritone Kim Kihoon, winner of the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition. The stages of Korean early music artists were also praised as a great opportunity to see how far their level has advanced.

Meanwhile, the Hanwha Baroque Project is a Baroque-specialized ensemble specially formed for Hanwha Classic by Korean Baroque performers who are actively working on early music stages both domestically and internationally. This year, Johannes Lirtauer, one of the most prominent Baroque violinists in Europe, joins as concertmaster, meeting the audience with an even richer ensemble.

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