"Showcasing Classic Festivals Including the Present" 5th Higetnungk! Festival

From the 16th to September 6th, held around Seoul including the Seoul Arts Center

The Sejong Soloists, a chamber orchestra presenting the 5th Hicketnungk! Festival. Photo by Sejong Soloists

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "From the current perspective, we wanted to try various attempts to create programs with new meanings. In classical performances so far, the '3B' program, which groups German masters Brahms, Bach, and Beethoven, has been popular, but we wanted to showcase works by composers who are currently alive."

The 'Hicketnungk! Festival,' which highlights contemporary classical music, will be held from the 16th to September 6th. Hosted by the chamber orchestra Sejong Soloists, this festival is celebrating its 5th year. This year’s festival will present six main performances and one pre-event. 'Hicketnungk' means 'Here and Now' in Latin.

Sejong Soloists began in 1994 when Professor Kang Hyo of Juilliard School invited young musicians from eight countries, including Korea, to form a string orchestra. Currently, Professor Kang’s wife, Kang Kyungwon, serves as the general director. The couple founded the Pyeongchang Daegwallyeong Music Festival in 2004 and led it until 2010.

Director Kang, who oversees the festival, explained at a press conference, "I wanted to change the classical performance programs that mainly feature 18th and 19th-century music, and some 20th-century music. The 'Hicketnungk! Festival' includes at least one piece by a living composer in every performance."

The living composer spotlighted in this festival is Lera Auerbach (49), a Russian-born composer, conductor, and pianist. She is a female composer who has been actively involved in various roles on the global classical stage since the 20th century.

Lera Auerbach (49), a Russian-born composer, conductor, and pianist, highlighted through this festival. She is a female composer who has been actively working in various positions on the global classical stage since the 20th century. Photo by Sejong Soloists

Making her debut on the domestic stage, Auerbach will perform her own composition 'Dialogue on the Sorrows of the Virgin' and Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 at the IBK Chamber Hall in the Seoul Arts Center on September 4.

At the opening concert held on the 16th at Ilsin Hall in Yongsan-gu, violist Lee Hwayoon will perform Auerbach’s 'Archeinum (Mystery).' Notably, the program on this day consists solely of works by female composers, including Auerbach, Jin Eun-sook, Rebecca Clarke, and Lee Shin-woo, drawing attention.

On the 29th at Lotte Concert Hall in Songpa-gu, pianist Lim Juhee, active in the United States, will hold a solo recital featuring Auerbach’s 'Memento Mori (Remember Death).'

Director Kang emphasized, "Auerbach, introduced this time, is a composer who writes emotionally intense and very powerful pieces. Despite her global reputation, she is less known in Korea, which is why we selected her. Following last year’s metaverse, this year we will actively incorporate NFTs into the performances to create a festival that can be enjoyed with new audiences."

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