As the high-profile Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit wraps up this Saturday, South Korea is preparing to become a global center for symphonic music throughout November. The country will host performances by three of the world's most prestigious orchestras: the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Vienna Philharmonic, marking an unprecedented month of classical music excellence.
The symphonic showcase begins with 29-year-old Finnish conductor Klaus Makela's return to Korea, leading the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, which he will officially begin directing in 2027. Makela previously impressed Korean audiences just six months ago during his highly acclaimed collaboration with pianist Lim Yunchan and the Orchestre de Paris. This time, Makela will conduct the Concertgebouw in two distinctive performances: featuring pianist Kirill Gerstein on Wednesday at Seoul Arts Center, and violinist Daniel Lozakovich on Thursday in Seoul and November 9 in Busan. The programs will showcase masterworks by Brahms, Bruch, and Mahler.
Following this opening act, the Berlin Philharmonic, widely considered the world's finest orchestra, will make history with its first-ever three-night residency in Korea from November 7 to 9. Under the leadership of chief conductor Kirill Petrenko, the orchestra will present three distinct programs that combine German Romantic and early modernist repertoires, including works by Schumann, Brahms, Janacek, Bartok, and Stravinsky. The performances will feature a special highlight as pianist Kim Sun-wook, one of Korea's most accomplished classical artists, joins as soloist for Schumann's Piano Concerto.
Completing this triumvirate of world-class orchestras, the Vienna Philharmonic will perform two concerts on November 19 and 20 at Seoul Arts Center under the baton of legendary conductor Christian Thielemann. Renowned as one of the leading interpreters of the German Romantic tradition, Thielemann will guide the orchestra through an impressive repertoire including Schumann's Symphony No. 3, Brahms Symphony No. 4, and Bruckner's monumental Symphony No. 5.
The international musical relay extends beyond these three giants with additional notable performances. On November 20, the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra will make its Korean debut under the direction of Kakhi Solomnishvili, a rapidly rising 35-year-old Georgian conductor known for his expressive yet modern interpretations. Solomnishvili will share the stage with pianist Sohn Min-soo in a program featuring an overture to Slovenian composer Jurij Mihevec's opera "The Fairy Child" alongside Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. The following day, November 21, the orchestra will travel to Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, to perform Brahms Symphony No. 1.
December promises additional highlights with two more distinguished ensembles. From December 3-5, British conductor Daniel Harding will lead Italy's Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in collaboration with Lim Yunchan, the youngest winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, who will perform Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major. The following week, on December 7, Finland's Santtu-Matias Rouvali will make his Korean debut conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, joined by violinist Clara-Jumi Kang, at Seoul Arts Center. The Philharmonia, founded in 1945 and having worked with legendary conductors such as Karajan, Klemperer, and Muti, will be making its first visit to Korea in seven years.
As the remarkable season draws to a close, two distinguished maestros will present their own interpretations of one of classical music's most towering masterpieces: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral." Chung Myung-whun, newly appointed as music director of Teatro alla Scala, returns to the podium with the One Korea Orchestra for their ninth concert. Chung founded this orchestra in 2017 as a symbol of unity and peace, describing it as "the most meaningful stage" and embodying his vision of a Korea united through music. Chung and the One Korea Orchestra will be joined by an impressive lineup of vocalists including soprano Park So-young, mezzo-soprano Kim Jung-mi, tenor Hwang Jun-ho, and baritone Samuel Youn, together with the National Chorus of Korea and the Anyang City Choir on November 19 at Lotte Concert Hall.
Meanwhile, Jaap van Zweden will approach the same monumental score with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing his characteristic precision and symphonic strength to the performance. After presenting Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with pianist Emanuel Ax and Dvorak's Symphony "From the New World" on November 27 and 28, van Zweden will conclude the season with two performances of Symphony No. 9 on December 18-19, providing audiences with a powerful finale to this extraordinary period of classical music in Korea.
