K-Classic Stars Who Captivated the World Gathered in One Place... 'Classic Revolution'

August 12-21 at Lotte Concert Hall
Featuring Yunchan Lim, Sunwook Kim, Hyuk Lee, Clara Jumi Kang, and more

Pianist Kim Sunwook

Pianist Lim Yunchan.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The music festival "Classic Revolution," which selects a specific composer and showcases the entirety of their works, will be held from August 12 to 21 at Lotte Concert Hall in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

On the 18th, the Lotte Cultural Foundation announced that this year's "Classic Revolution" will focus on composers Mendelssohn and Korngold.

Christoph Poppen, the chief conductor of the Cologne Chamber Orchestra in Germany and also known as a distinguished violin teacher, serves as the artistic director of this festival. The stage will feature leading figures of the "K-Classic" wave such as pianists Yunchan Lim, Sunwook Kim, Hyuk Lee, and violinist Clara Jumi Kang.

The concert series will be held a total of 10 times. The Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra, Seoul Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and KBS Symphony Orchestra will present major works by the two composers in seven orchestra concerts.

Christoph P?ffen, Artistic Director of Classic Revolution

Though different, the two musicians share many similarities. Mendelssohn and Korngold were both prodigies known from an early age for their brilliance and had a deep appreciation for literature. They also similarly showcased a musical world that respected the tradition of German classical music.

This year's Classic Revolution is prepared as a time to feel a new charm in the familiar Mendelssohn and to discover previously unknown individuality in the somewhat unfamiliar Korngold, the Lotte Cultural Foundation explained.

At the opening performance on August 12, Christoph Poppen, violinist Clara Jumi Kang, sopranos Sumi Hwang and Jooyoung Hong, tenor Seil Kim, and the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 2 and Violin Concerto in E minor, among others. Additionally, with a wish for world peace, the festival will begin with Mendelssohn's "Verleih uns Frieden" (Grant Us Peace) performed together with the Anyang City Choir.

Violinist Clara Jumi Kang

Pianist Yunchan Lim, who recently gained attention by winning the Van Cliburn Competition, will perform Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the KBS Symphony Orchestra on August 20. The seats for the concert conducted by pianist Sunwook Kim have already sold out.

Also, on the 13th, pianist Hyuk Lee, who was the only Korean finalist in last year's Chopin Competition, will perform Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 2 in collaboration with the Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra.

In addition to symphonies and concertos, a "Chamber Music Day" featuring rarely heard chamber works will be held. At the 5 p.m. performance on August 15, Avengers-level artists including the Arete Quartet, Lux Trio, pianist Sunwook Kim, violinists Christoph Poppen and Clara Jumi Kang, Ji-hye Lee, violist Kyungmin Park, and cellist Taeguk Moon will gather to present Mendelssohn's Piano Trio and Octet, as well as Korngold's Piano Quintet to the audience.

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