Wu Wei, a renowned soloist of the traditional Chinese mouth-organ sheng, will hit the stage Friday night as part of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s two-day “Ars Nova” contemporary music concert series. The 4,000-year-old woodwind folk instrument is a rare sight in today’s music scene, with an equally rare-sounding instrumental pitch to match. “The sounds of the sheng are very mysterious and the skills it takes to play this instrument are not something that can easily be explained,” said SPO compo

Staatskapelle Dresden orchestra’s guest conductor Chung Myung-whun (Matthias Creutziger)Following a number of world-class ensembles that have graced the Seoul stage this year, the month of November promises to be a much-welcomed continuation of some of the classical music world’s best.  The Seoul Arts Center is gearing up to play host to three of Germany’s oldest and celebrated orchestras -- the Staatskapelle Dresden, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pianist Cho Seong-jin (EPA-Yonhap)Cho Seong-jin, the winner of the Chopin piano competition, is a new classical music icon in Korea, setting recording history even before the release of his first solo album. The 21-year-old pianist’s upcoming album – a live recording of his performances at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Poland – was the top seller across all music genres at Kyobo Bookstore, the country’s largest book seller, as of 3 p.m. Tuesday -- a feat that no oth

Korea’s online music charts under fire for unfair practices, suspected chart-rigging

Korean balladeer Park Ki-young has transitioned into a classical crossover vocalist in her new album “A Primeira Festa.”Included in the album are pop-opera classics such as “Nella Fantasia,” “Caruso” and “Habanera.” The lead track is “One Fine Day,” a remade version of Yoshimata Ryo’s “The Whole Nine Yards.”While classical-based singers like Jo Su-mi have forayed in the pop genre, a pop singer transitioning into crossover -- a genre that combines pop and classical music -- has been unheard of in

Boy group returns after 13 years with two-track album ‘Reborn’

A 21-year-old Korean pianist won Poland’s Chopin competition Tuesday -- one of the most prestigious contests in the piano world and considered a launch pad for an international career. Cho Seong-jin beat 77 other young pianists from 20 countries to take home the gold medal and prize of 30,000 euros ($33,500) at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years in the Polish capital Warsaw and named after the 19th century pianist and composer.  Cho Seong-jin (AFP-Yon

K-pop hit-making label JYP Entertainment has unveiled the first album by its new nine-member girl group Twice. 　 The group is the agency’s first new girl group since Miss A debuted five years ago, and has already gained a substantial amount of publicity by choosing its members through an intensely rigorous audition process broadcast by music channel Mnet through the show “Sixteen.” 　 “We were able to do this showcase today because our fans supported us and waited for us through (‘Sixtee

Big Bang, whose contract with YG Entertainment is set to expire in mid-2016, is highly likely to stay with the agency, a local report said, citing unidentified sources at the music industry. “Since the members have to renew their contract, it has been difficult to arrange their next year’s schedule,” said the source. “However, YG officials have hinted that they will stay with the agency.”  (OSEN)Earlier this year, while celebrating the 10th year anniversary of the group’s debut under the label,

In retrospective concert, iconic rock band looks back on a dynamic journey of versatile rock

 Steve Barakatt (Rainbow Bridge Story)Canadian pianist and composer and the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra are teaming up again for an encore concert in December in Seoul.According to Barakatt’s agency, the New Age musician together with the Seoul-based ensemble will play his symphony “Ad Vitam Aeternam” on Dec. 5 at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. It follows the resounding success of a March concert in which he presented his largest and first symphonic composition to the Korean a

Actor and idol singer Lim Si-wan of ZE:A has confirmed his role in a new crime-action film titled “One Line.”Lim’s agency, Star Empire, said on Sunday that Lim mulled over the offer for a while and has decided to play the lead character in the move.The upcoming film is based on a large-scale insurance fraud, according to the agency. (OSEN)The production company will reportedly begin shooting in December once it finishes casting smaller roles. Lim started his career as a K-pop singer in 2010 and

CJ E&M, one of Korea’s leading entertainment firms, has acquired hip-hop label Hi-Lite Records, the conglomerate said on Friday.Founded by popular Korean rapper Paloalto in 2010, Hi-Lite Records is home to some of the influential rappers of the country’s underground scene -- including Huckleberry P, Reddy, Okasian, B-Free and Evo. The takeover comes amid the broadcaster gaining more viewers through hip-hop audition programs such as “Show Me the Money” and “Unpretty Rapstar.”(Hi-Lite Records)CJ o

Another member of Super Junior is to begin his mandatory military service on Thursday, becoming the eighth member of the all-boy group to do so. Donghae, 30, will enlist on Thursday, following Eunhyuk who joined the army on Tuesday.  (SM Entertainment)Donghae will serve as a conscripted policeman, a substitute to active duty in armed forces, after the completion of four weeks of basic training at a boot camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. Siwon, another member, is scheduled to follow sui

Legendary singer-songwriter Elton John is coming to Korea next month for an intimate concert.  The Grammy-winning artist will be putting up a one-night only performance on Nov. 27 at Hyundai Card Understage in Seoul‘s Hannam-dong, a venue that seats up to 500 people. The show, which is part of John’s currently running world tour “All the Hits,” is the only one on such a small scale, providing the audience with a rare opportunity to experience the celebrated musician’s performance up close.  Prom