National Symphony Orchestra Completes Tour of Three European Countries
Praised for Unique Sound Including The Busan Jo and Korean Art Songs
Soprano Im Sun-hye singing "Like Spring Coming Across the River." Photo by National Symphony Orchestra
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The National Symphony Orchestra announced on the 5th that it successfully completed its European tour across three countries, starting in Sweden on the 28th of last month, continuing to Hungary on the 30th, and concluding in Austria on the 2nd.
This tour marked the first European performance since the orchestra changed its name to the National Symphony (formerly Korean Symphony Orchestra) earlier this year. Amid growing interest in K-Culture, the focus was on elevating the status of Korean orchestral music and conveying the beauty and sentiment of Korea through Western instruments.
The concert opened with "The Busanjo" by Kim Taeksu, the National Symphony's first resident composer. The Korean sound emitted by the orchestra captivated over 4,000 European audience members, featuring the resonance of violin strings reflecting the gayageum, brass instruments expressing the taepyeongso and nabal, and the double bass embodying traditional drum rhythms.
Following this, a series of Korean art songs highlighting the charm of Hangul were performed. Soprano Lim Sunhye, tenor Kim Jaehyung, and bass Park Jongmin sang "Like Spring Crossing the River" (lyrics by Song Gilja, composed by Im Geungsu), "The River of My Heart" (lyrics and composition by Lee Suin), and "Dear Friend" (poem by Jeong Chigeun, composed by Ian Sam). Korean vocalists active on the global stage also shone in the subsequent opera arias.
The finale was Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4. Under the baton of Jeong Chiyong, the 6th artistic director of the National Symphony, the orchestra delivered an outstanding performance that earned standing ovations from the local audience. Maria Grossbauer, a member of the Austrian Federal Council, remarked, "The National Symphony's unique interpretation of the string vibrato and wind instruments in Tchaikovsky's symphony was impressive."
Overview of the Musikverein Hall performance in Vienna, Austria. Photo by National Symphony Orchestra
Local audiences praised "The Busanjo" and the Korean art songs. Maria, who studies Korean while traveling between Sweden and Korea, shared, "The unique sound of 'The Busanjo' intrigued me and helped me understand Korea better. Experiencing Hangul through the art songs was a moving and beautiful experience." Hyun Minwoo, a Korean resident in Sweden, said, "Starting with Kim Taeksu's 'The Busanjo' and the three Korean art songs felt especially meaningful to me living abroad. The enthusiastic reactions from local people made me proud to be Korean, and I am grateful for the performance."
Choi Jeongsook, CEO of the National Symphony, stated, "This was an occasion to witness how Korean elements become global and to discover the power of music that transcends race and language to foster mutual understanding. We will continue to create opportunities to communicate with people worldwide, strengthening cultural exchange and the international recognition of the National Symphony."
This concert was made possible through invitations from the Korean Cultural Centers and embassies. It commemorated the 130th anniversary of Korea-Austria diplomatic relations, the openings of the Korean Cultural Centers in Austria and Sweden, the 10th anniversary of the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary, and national holidays.
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