Violinist Kim Jaewon, Lifetime Concertmaster of the Toulouse Capitole Orchestra in France

Collaboration with Gyeonggi Philharmonic at the Symphony Festival on the 27th

Violinist Kim Jaewon (30), a graduate of Kumho Young Artist, has been appointed as the concertmaster for life of the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse in France, Kumho Cultural Foundation announced on the 2nd.

Kim Jaewon was selected as the concertmaster of the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse through three auditions and a trial performance at a regular concert in 2022. He underwent a training period as concertmaster starting in 2023 and was unanimously appointed as concertmaster for life last month through a vote by the judges and orchestra members.

Violinist Kim Jaewon [Photo by Kumho Cultural Foundation]

The Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse was formed in 1960 by the merger of the Toulouse-Pyr?n?es Symphony Orchestra and the Capitole Orchestra, the resident ensemble of the Capitole Theatre in France. It gained national status in 1981. Known for its French character, Georges Pretre served as its first music director, and Michel Plasson was music director for 35 years from 1968 to 2003.

Michel Plasson established the musical foundation of the orchestra as a concert orchestra in addition to its main activities of opera and ballet performances, leading it to become a world-renowned ensemble. Tugan Sokhiev succeeded Plasson as music director from 2008 to 2022, expanding the repertoire extensively to include Mahler, Bruckner, and Stravinsky. From the 2024?2025 season, Tarmo Peltokoski is scheduled to serve as the new music director. Currently, violinist Kim Jaewon is the only Korean member of the orchestra.

Kim Jaewon said, "The Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse is an orchestra with bursting energy and a special sound," adding, "Thanks to the trust from the members during the training period, I enjoyed it very much, and I will continue to work hard to become a better leader through my past experiences."

Kim Jaewon debuted in 2008 with the Kumho Young Artist Concert. After entering and graduating from the Korea National University of Arts as a gifted student, he completed his master's and artist diploma at the Conservatoire de Paris. He has won prizes at prestigious international competitions such as Lipizer, Kloster Schontal, Sch?nfeld, Brahms, and Sofia Virtuoso, and was selected as an artist by the Banque Populaire Foundation in France in 2017. He was a member of the Radio France Philharmonic and the Paris National Opera Academy, was invited as guest concertmaster of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, served as associate concertmaster of the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, and was selected as associate concertmaster of the Paris Orchestra.

He is also active as the deputy artistic director of the Busan International Classical Music Festival. On the 27th, he is scheduled to perform Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center’s Symphony Festival.

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