KBS Symphony Orchestra Music Director Inkinen: "We Will Create Our Own Color"

1st Anniversary Press Conference... "An Open and Passionate Orchestra"
"Next Year's Repertoire Direction is Diversity" Showcasing Various Pieces from Mahler to Walton

Pietari Inkinen, Music Director of the KBS Symphony Orchestra (center), is explaining the 2023 season lineup at a press conference held on the 20th at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by KBS Symphony Orchestra

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "My goal is to solidify the unique style of the KBS Symphony Orchestra by mastering a vast repertoire and to clearly bring out the voice and color we have created, no matter which guest conductor comes."

On the 20th, Pietari Inkinen, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, responded to a question about the orchestra's strengths at a press conference marking his first anniversary in office, saying, "No matter what repertoire we perform, the members passionately listen to my ideas and respond with an open attitude," adding, "What we do requires endless learning, so I can't say we are perfectly prepared, but the goal is to make more progress."

Conductor Inkinen, who is from Finland, graduated from the Sibelius Academy with a major in violin in 2003 and completed conducting studies in 2005. He first took up the baton at age 15 and was recognized as a 'young maestro' after becoming the Music Director of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at 27. He was appointed as the 9th conductor of the KBS Symphony Orchestra in January and has completed one year of his three-year term.

In his first year in office, Inkinen showcased his own color, represented by the Finnish maestro Sibelius, through the KBS Symphony Orchestra. He introduced the tradition of Finnish music to Korean audiences with performances of Sibelius's "Lemmink?inen Suite" and the Korean premiere of the choral symphony "Kullervo."

He said, "Sibelius's works require effort to better understand his thoughts and why he composed them the way he did. My role is to repeatedly explain this to the members to aid their understanding, and they have always listened and responded to my ideas with an open and passionate attitude, which allowed us to build Sibelius's legacy," sharing his thoughts.

The KBS Symphony Orchestra will present its first stage of the new year with the 786th regular concert at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on the 28th of next month.

Entering his second season, Conductor Inkinen plans to present a diverse repertoire next year as well. The first concert in January will begin with Mahler's Symphony No. 5, a continuation of this year's performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 7. Regarding the program, he emphasized, "It is a selection that offers diversity and a bit of surprise. Mahler's Symphony No. 5, which opens the new season, is a magnificent work, and it is meaningful to perform it together with Korea's talented pianist Yekwon Sunwoo."

Along with pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, the KBS Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to collaborate with Pascal Rog?, Alexei Volodin, violinists Gidon Kremer, Midori, and Gil Shaham in next year's program.

Conductor Inkinen, who will appear on stage five times in total, plans to conclude next year's program with Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique," Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2, Walton's Symphony No. 1, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral."

Pietari Inkinen, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, is speaking at the press conference marking the first anniversary of his appointment held on the 20th at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.

William Walton's Symphony No. 1, a work by the British contemporary composer to be performed on October 26, holds special meaning for Conductor Inkinen. Reflecting on this piece, which opened the door to his conducting career in his twenties in 2001, he recalled, "Conducting this piece with the Helsinki Philharmonic was a notable success and enabled me to work on the world stage." This piece will have its Korean premiere under Inkinen's baton.

Inkinen also revealed that he is considering presenting Wagner's works on stage with the engagement of professional vocalists. He said, "Since a full opera production requires extensive preparation, realistically, we will likely stage one act," adding, "Wagner specialist singers have bookings for the next ten years due to high demand, so we will prepare the works with a long-term plan."

Various activities such as album releases and overseas tours are also planned. Inkinen stated, "My goal is to release one album each season," and added, "In the near future, we plan to perform in Asian countries, and in 2024, we will conduct a South American tour."

Marking the 10th anniversary of its foundation, the KBS Symphony Orchestra plans to actively promote Korean classical music on the global stage starting next year. It will significantly strengthen its social contribution projects to become an orchestra loved by the public and expand its unique content through the online platform 'Digital K-Hall.'

On this day, Han Changrok, President of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, introduced, "If 2022, the 10th anniversary of the foundation, was a year to confirm the potential and explore possibilities of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, 2023 will be a year to embark on a full-fledged journey with a future vision."

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