[The Editors' Verdict] Sejong Center’s Dedicated Classical Music Hall: Substance Matters Too

Long-Awaited Project Resumes After Over a Decade
Need for Quality Programming Must Be Addressed

[Asia Economy Park Byung-hee, Head of Culture and Sports Department] The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is drawing attention as it reinitiates its long-cherished project to build a dedicated classical music hall. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with a series of competition wins by young performers such as Lim Yoon-chan (Van Cliburn Piano Competition), Choi Ha-young (Queen Elizabeth Cello Competition), Park Jae-hong (Busoni Piano Competition), and Yang In-mo (Jean Sibelius Violin Competition), public interest in classical music has surged. The construction of a dedicated classical music hall at one of Korea’s leading performance venues is therefore a welcome development. However, as some raise concerns about whether there will be enough quality performance programs to fill the excellent venue, the Sejong Center will need to start considering the software?the programming?to complement the hardware early on.

The plan to build a dedicated classical music hall at the Sejong Center has been pursued for over a decade but has repeatedly been delayed. In 2014, there was a plan to complete the hall by the end of 2017, but internal turmoil prevented its realization. Currently, Seoul has only two dedicated classical music halls: the Concert Hall at the Seoul Arts Center and the Jamsil Lotte Concert Hall. Both are located in Gangnam and on the outskirts. Therefore, building a classical music hall at the Sejong Center could meet the demand for classical music in the relatively underserved Gangbuk area and broaden the base of classical music audiences. The year 2028, marking the 50th anniversary of the Sejong Center’s opening, also provides a strong rationale for the project.

The appointment of Jaap van Zweden, the current music director of the New York Philharmonic who participated in the reopening of the David Geffen Hall at New York’s Lincoln Center, as the new music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) reflects Seoul’s commitment. Seoul has signed an unusually long five-year contract with van Zweden. His tenure will begin in January next year and conclude in 2028, the year the dedicated classical music hall is scheduled to be completed.

Some classical music insiders acknowledge the potential for expanding the audience base but express doubts about whether there will be enough high-quality classical performances to fill the venue. Considering the number of orchestras and classical concertgoers in Korea, adding another hall might make it difficult to fill the seats. Until 2005, before becoming a foundation, the SPO was under the Sejong Center. If the SPO performs in the Sejong Center’s dedicated hall after 2028, existing classical venues will inevitably face increased competition to fill their schedules with other performances.

Building a dedicated classical music hall is a project involving substantial public funding. If a superb venue is constructed but quality performances are not staged, it risks being criticized as a mere showpiece project. It is necessary to consider long-term strategies for programming performances befitting such a prestigious hall. It should also be taken into account that famous performers and orchestras often have their performance schedules planned years in advance.

A classical music critic lamented that this year’s notable classical performances are heavily centered around competition winners. The critic said, "There are many performers eager to take the stage," adding, "It is crucial how well concert planners can create compelling content."

Asia Economy Park Byung-hee, Head of Culture and Sports Department nut@