Classic Trends 'Here and Now'... Sejong Soloists at Hicketnungke Music Festival

6 Performances from November 9 to 22
Tenor Bostridge on Stage with Britten's 'Illuminations'
'Young Virtuoso' Violinist Jang Hankyung Recital

The Sejong Soloists' 'Hic et Nunc Music Festival,' which has captivated audiences every year with its distinctive sound and programs, is returning to audiences this year as well.

The 'Hikkeunuk! Music Festival,' which showcases innovative programs every year, will hold six main performances from November 9 to 22 this year. The photo shows last year's Hikkeunuk Gala Concert performance.
[Photo by Hikkeunuk]

The Sejong Soloists announced on the 6th that the 6th Hic et Nunc! Music Festival will be held from November 9 to 22 at various venues including the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall and Recital Hall, JCC Art Center, Geoam Art Hall, Cosmos Art Hall, and Uncommon Gallery.

The 'Hic et Nunc' festival, whose name means 'here and now' in Latin, is a differentiated classical music festival characterized by its nonconformity. While it does not claim to be a contemporary music festival, unlike many classical music festivals that focus on creation and performance, it presents carefully curated programs each year that sensitively capture the subtly changing trends in the classical music world, showcasing them to musicians and audiences alike.

On the opening day, November 9, a lecture titled "Music, an Invitation to the Humanities" will be held by Ian Bostridge, known as the "Singing Humanist" and "Doctor Tenor." Bostridge is a British national tenor who has swept major music awards worldwide, including the Grammy Awards, and was awarded the Order of the British Empire. Before becoming a musician, he earned a master's degree in philosophy from Cambridge University and a doctorate in history from Oxford University, making him a historian as well.

Tenor Ian Bostridge will simultaneously hold a humanities lecture and a performance at Hicketnunk this year.
[Photo by Hicketnunk]

On November 14, the Sejong Soloists will share the stage with Ian Bostridge. In the first half, the Sejong Soloists will perform carefully selected works by Frank Bridge, Andrew Norman, and Haydn for this festival, and in the second half, Benjamin Britten's (1913-1976) "Illuminations" will be performed.

On November 15, a performance designed to stimulate the emotions and imagination of children, the future audience, is prepared. Soprano Lee Gyeol, cellist Jung Sujin, and members of the Sejong Soloists, who are "mom musicians," will perform together. The performance title is taken from Dvo??k's famous work "Songs My Mother Taught Me." Tickets are priced at 10,000 KRW, and infants under 36 months can enter free of charge.

That evening, an "NFT Salon" will be held to bridge the gap between evolving technology and art. In the first part, a mini-concert featuring violinist Steven Kim and violist Lee Haesu will be presented to the audience. The second part will include a discussion and networking party about NFTs in the classical industry with blockchain cloud company Common Computer. The event is free and open to the public, especially for those interested in NFT art, including general audiences and artists. Anyone can participate by making a phone reservation through the Sejong Soloists office.

Violinist Jang Han-kyung takes the stage with the 'Young Virtuoso' series.
[Photo by Higetnungk]

On November 16, violinist Jang Hankyung will meet the audience. Representing the "Young Virtuoso" series, a tradition of "Hic et Nunc!," he will perform violin sonatas by Ysa?e and Saint-Sa?ns. Works by Amy Beach, the first female composer to gain recognition in American contemporary music history, and John Corigliano, a beloved 20th-century composer, will also be featured.

Saxophonist Steven Banks takes the stage for the solo recital that concludes the festival. ⓒChris Lee [Photo by Higetnungk]

On November 19, as the festival's final event, saxophonist Steven Banks will take the stage to perform Schumann's Fantasiest?cke Op. 73 and the original composition "Come As You Are (Quartet version with Sejong Soloists)" on classical saxophone. Steven Banks is renowned for invigorating the classical music scene by expanding the classical saxophone repertoire and exploring new possibilities for the instrument through various activities.

Behind the 'Hic et Nunc!' festival are Kang Hyo, the artistic director of the Sejong Soloists, the pioneer of Korean classical music ensembles, and Kang Kyungwon, the festival's general director. The two, who created and led the Sejong Soloists with their leadership, are also the key figures who established the first non-Seoul music festival in South Korea, a country where cultural resources are concentrated in Seoul. They are credited with founding the PyeongChang Daegwallyeong Music Festival in 2004 and leading it until 2010, successfully adapting the music festival models of advanced cultural countries to Korea.

The 6th Hic et Nunc! Music Festival plans to visit middle and high schools and social welfare facilities as part of its social contribution programs, in addition to the performances. Tickets can be purchased through Interpark Ticket and the Seoul Arts Center.

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