A Composer's 'Sincerity' Running an International Music Festival by Funding It Personally for 13 Years

[Interview] Ryu Jaejun, Music Director of Seoul International Music Festival

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "Geniuses who win awards at international competitions are pouring in, but the domestic stages for them to perform on are severely lacking. Without a native music ecosystem, performers naturally fall behind."

Composer Ryu Jaejun (52, photo), who has been leading the Seoul International Music Festival for 13 years, says that creating various stages that have been neglected due to focusing only on the achievements of geniuses is a key factor for the growth of the classical industry. He points out that it is difficult to expect the growth of Korean classical music by relying solely on the capabilities of individual performers.

On the other hand, this also means that the music festival he directs as artistic director is a stage not very familiar to the public. Director Ryu earned money through commissioned works abroad and used it to create music festivals and concerts in Korea.

Regarding why he dedicates himself to work far from profit and fame, he said, "I think there needs to be a base ground where good performers can gather and be active, so I created the music festival." He smiled and added, "I thought someone had to do it, and by chance, I started this work and it has come to today."

Marking its 13th year, the Seoul International Music Festival is held under the theme "A Prayer for Us," wounded and bruised by COVID-19 and war. Director Ryu said, "Last year, under the theme 'Amusement Park,' we recalled the joyful memories before COVID-19 and hoped for recovery. This year, we will present prayers for myself and those living together through various music."

This year's festival features a diverse program including Mozart's Mass (a prayer for birth) composed for his own wedding, Penderecki's "Prayer (Kadisz)" for the soul?Penderecki being Ryu's mentor?and Ryu's newly composed "Concerto for String Quartet," as well as Debussy's "Nocturnes," inspired by the siren's song that leads life and death.

Director Ryu introduces the world's best orchestras as "festival orchestras." While city-based orchestras operate regularly as single professional teams, festival orchestras gather and perform during festival periods and are akin to all-star teams. He said, "Festival orchestras formed by world-class soloists and chamber groups during festival periods inevitably produce the best sound," adding, "The orchestras of the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland and the Bayreuth Festival in Germany are representative examples."

The festival orchestra of this Seoul International Music Festival also boasts a splendid lineup. Director Ryu explained that outstanding soloists and excellent performers who have proven their skills on the world stage gathered in one place for the festival, including Andrei Bielow, a laureate of the prestigious Long-Thibaud International Violin Competition; horn player Kim Hongbak, principal of the Oslo Philharmonic; violinist Baek Jooyoung, who ranked first in the Seoul International Competition and the New York YCA International Audition; and cellist Kim Minji, the first Korean to win first place at the Irving Klein International String Competition.

Director Ryu, who expressed his aspiration to make audiences "happy" through music, emphasized, "Seoul's population reaches 10 million, but the number of people who enjoy classical music in daily life is 100,000, less than 1%." He stressed, "To increase the classical market and audience, it is important to present good programs with utmost effort, and the goal is to take responsibility under the name of a music festival, guarantee quality, and attract audiences."

He added, "If audiences become interested in classical music through the festival stage, it will be an opportunity for them to attend performances again," and "We set the ticket prices realistically so that these people can attend performances without burden."

Although he says he loses money the more he performs, the pride of being a trusted music festival that audiences seek is the background for his continuous planning of stages. The festival will be held over nine days from the 22nd to the 30th, with eight performances at the Seoul Arts Center, JCC Art Center, and Kumho Art Hall Yonsei.

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