Busan is good

Music Illuminates the Spirit of World Heritage: Busan Metropolitan City to Hold Commemorative Concert for the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee

내용

Classic Busan, led by CEO Park Min-jung, announced that it will host two special concerts featuring the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra and the Seocho Philharmonia at Busan Concert Hall to commemorate Busan’s hosting of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

These special performances are designed to embody the value of World Heritage through music while introducing Busan’s cultural appeal to the world and expanding the spirit of international cooperation and cultural exchange through orchestral performance.

On the opening day of the World Heritage Committee session, July 19, the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra will take the stage under the baton of conductor Hong Suk-won, joined by baritone Kim Tae-han.

Hong Suk-won, widely recognized as one of the leading young maestros, previously served as the 12th Artistic Director of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, where he elevated the profile of K-Classical music by presenting dynamic performances to the citizens of Busan. Baritone Kim Tae-han, winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, is regarded as one of the most promising vocalists of the next generation on the international stage.

The program includes Choi Woo-jung’s Resounds, Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, “Fate.”

Resounds by composer Choi Woo-jung reimagines the traditional Korean court music Sujecheon through the language of the modern orchestra. Conveying messages of environmental crisis and harmony with nature, the work has been recognized as an innovative bridge between tradition and contemporary music.

Kim Tae-han will perform Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder, marking the first performance of the song cycle in Busan. Based on poems by the German poet Friedrich Rückert, the work explores themes of solitude, love, and spiritual reflection, making it especially fitting for the themes of the World Heritage Committee. It also represents an important work that highlights the maturity of the baritone’s artistry.

On July 21, the Seocho Philharmonia will perform in conjunction with an intercity cultural exchange concert. The orchestra will be conducted by Bae Jong-hoon, with violinist Danny Koo and pianist Kim Tae-hyung appearing as soloists.

Bae Jong-hoon, known as both a conductor for peace and an artist who connects the world through music, serves as Artistic Director of the Seocho Cultural Foundation and the Seocho Philharmonia. Since 2009, he has continuously led the United Nations Peace Concert in Honor of Korean War Veterans.

Violinist Danny Koo, who serves as an honorary ambassador for Seocho-gu, continues to broaden his musical horizons through passionate performances and adventurous artistic projects.

Pianist Kim Tae-hyung gained international recognition by becoming the first Korean to win first prize at the Porto International Piano Competition. He has also distinguished himself at prestigious international competitions, including the Queen Elisabeth Competition, and currently serves as Music Director of M Stars.

The program features works including a Haydn symphony, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto and Romance No. 2, and Monti’s Czardas.

The repertoire progresses from Haydn, representing the origins of musical history, to Beethoven, symbolizing innovation and inspiration, and finally to Monti, expressing diversity and exchange. Together, the program musically embodies the World Heritage Committee’s core values of preservation, innovation, and exchange. The concert in Busan is more than an artistic event; it is a musical interpretation of the spirit of World Heritage.

Tickets are available through the Classic Busan website at https://classicbusan.busan.go.kr. For further information, please contact Busan Concert Hall at 051-640-8888 or 051-640-8822.

Park Min-jung, CEO of Classic Busan, said, “This concert will become a cultural festival that delegates from around the world and local citizens can enjoy together, providing an opportunity to further enhance Busan’s international standing as the host city of the World Heritage Committee. It is also a meaningful occasion to introduce Busan’s cultural appeal to the world while expressing the spirit of UNESCO through music.”