“Asia Philharmonic Orchestra”: The Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, established in 1995 by Maestro Chung Myung-whun and Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, will hold its regular concerts in Korea, Japan and China. In 1995, when Chung conducted the opening ceremony of an international orchestral festival in Tokyo, he met many Asian musicians from top orchestras. His idea was to put them together. The orchestra’s program will be Beethoven Symphony No. 7 and Brahms Symphony No. 1. The concert will be held on July 30 at the Culture & Arts Center’s Grand Theater in Incheon, on July 31 at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall, on Aug. 2 at Suntory Hall in Tokyo and on Aug. 4 at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 100,000 won in Korea. For more information call (02) 547-5694.
 |
Poster of the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra’s concerts in Korea. (CMI Korea/Miracle of Music) |
“Miracle of Music”: The Aloysius Orchestra and pianist Chung Myung-whun will hold a charity concert at the Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall on July 23 at 8 p.m. The 60-member orchestra consists of Aloysius Middle School and Aloysius Technical High School, which are affiliated with Busan Boystown, a children’s shelter where 700 orphaned children from toddlers to high school students live together. Led by conductor Chung Min, son of Chung Myung-whun, the orchestra will perform Beethoven Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C Major, Op. 56 with pianist Chung, violinist Svetlin Roussev and cellist Enders Isang. The program also includes Mahler Symphony No. 1 in D Major, “Titan.” Tickets range from 20,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 784-4533 or 786-8210.
“Daniel Barenboim & WEDO Beethoven Symphony Cycle”: Argentine-Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim will lead his youth orchestra, consisting of artists from the Middle East including Israelis and Palestinians, to hold a rare concert series at the Seoul Arts Center, covering all Beethoven Symphonies from No. 1 to No. 9, from Aug. 10 to Aug. 14, except for Saturday. On Aug. 14, the program will be No. 2 and No. 9, joined by soprano Jo Su-mi, mezzo-soprano Lee Ah-kyung, tenor Park Ji-min, bass Hamm Suk-hun and the Korean National Choir. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 150,000 won. For more information call (02) 318-4301. They will also perform Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in d minor Op. 125 “Choral” in Imjingak near the demilitarized zone to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula on Liberation Day on Aug. 15.
“Great Mountains Music Festival & School”: The 8th Great Mountains Music Festival & School will take place from July 24 to Aug. 13 at the Alpensia resort in Gangwon Province, gathering renowned and rising artists for 55 programs and master classes. The focus this year will be showcasing final works of great composers when they were grappling with age or illness. Under the theme “Illumination,” the highlights of the two-and-a-half week program will include Mozart’s Requiem, Schubert’s Quintet in C Major and Mendelssohn’s rarely heard String Quintet No. 2, all of which are late works of the composers. Cellist Chung Myung-wha and violinist Chung Kyung-wha are to be on stage on July 29 for Brahms’ Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Op. 8. Rising stars such as pianist Son Yeol-eum, violinist Shin Hyun-su, double bassist Sung Min-je and tenor Kang Yo-sep will also perform at the festival. Tickets range from 40,000 won to 50,000 won. Reservations can be made through www.gmmfs.com, www.clubbalcony.com, or www.interpark.com. For more information, call (02) 725-3394~5.
