National Symphony to Promote K-Classic with Pansori in Germany and Czech Republic in October

European Tour from Next Month 1-6, 3 Performances Including Berlin Philharmonie Hall
Conducted by Hong Seok-won, Featuring Sorikkun Go Young-yeol and Gosu Go Seok-jin

The National Symphony Orchestra will introduce K-classical music and the sounds of Korea on the stages of Germany and the Czech Republic, the birthplaces of classical music.

Hong Seok-won and the National Symphony Orchestra.
[Photo by Tongyeong International Music Foundation]

On the 27th, the National Symphony announced that it will perform music rooted in Korea, Germany, and the Czech Republic on October 1 at the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden, Germany, on the 4th at the Berlin Philharmonie, and on the 6th at the Smetana Hall in Prague.

During this tour, the National Symphony will perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 and Brahms' "Academic Festival Overture," representing Germany, as well as "Vltava" from "My Country" by Czech-born composer Bed?ich Smetana.

A highlight of this performance is the collaboration between the orchestra and pansori. Sorikkun Go Young-yeol will introduce Korean sentiment to the European stage with "Sarangga" from the pansori "Chunhyangga," which he has reinterpreted in a modern style. Woo Hyo-won's "Drum," which blends Western orchestral music with traditional Korean rhythms, will also enliven the performance. At the Czech concert, composer Woo Hyo-won will provide commentary to help the audience understand Korean traditional music.

The conductor will be Hong Seok-won, the first Korean to serve as chief kapellmeister (principal conductor) at the Austrian State Theatre and currently the principal conductor of the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra. Sorikkun Go Young-yeol and gosu Go Seok-jin will also appear on stage.

Choi Jeong-sook, CEO of the National Symphony, said, "It is highly meaningful to perform in Germany and the Czech Republic, the heartlands of classical music, representing Korea." She added, "Following last year's Austria, we will continue to seek exchanges with the classical music homelands, including France next year, and take the lead in promoting the diverse charm and excellence of Korean music."

National Symphony 2023 Europe Tour Poster. [Photo by National Symphony Orchestra]

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