"Conducting is a Series of Persuasions" Capturing the Joy of Young Schumann in the Baton

'Orchestra Ensemble Seoul' Artistic Director Lee Gyuseo
Schumann Symphony No.1, a Work Embracing the Joy of Spring
"Regret Over Lack of Opportunities for Young Conductors"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Robert Cialdini, Regents’ Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University in the U.S., well known for his book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, defines that in relationships that elicit goodwill before persuasion, “He is one of us” is more powerful than “He is someone like us.” Lee Gyuseo, artistic director of Orchestra Ensemble Seoul (OES), who immediately answers “persuasion” when asked what conducting is, is presenting performances based on solid solidarity rather than similarity. Although the process is a continuous act of persuasion, OES’s performances are becoming stronger.

Conductor Lee Gyuseo. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Since 2018, OES, the first private orchestra to complete the entire series of Beethoven’s symphonies and piano concertos, is now presenting the complete series of Schumann’s symphonies and concertos. On the 21st, OES will perform Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 at the Seoul Arts Center. Orchestras that have completed the entire Schumann symphony series domestically are rare, as Schumann’s symphonies are known to be challenging programs. This is because it is difficult to fully express the subtle pitch changes and rapidly shifting nuances due to Schumann’s unique emotional fluctuations and lyricism. Regarding the background of taking on the Schumann series immediately after the four-year-long Beethoven series, the conductor explains, “Beethoven was a mountain that chamber orchestras must overcome at least once and a challenge to hone their skills, whereas Schumann is a repertoire that allows us to prove the skills we have built up so far.”

The challenge and proof are also themes connected to his personal history. Having started music at age five with the violin, Lee says that watching the Berlin Philharmonic’s New Year’s concert conducted by Claudio Abbado, which he encountered by chance while serving as concertmaster of the district youth symphony orchestra, changed his life. “I was watching the video to study the violin string section, and I was strongly impressed and gained a certain conviction seeing about 100 members synchronizing their breathing flawlessly at Abbado’s fingertips.”

Although he was attending a humanities high school, he entered Seoul National University’s College of Music aiming to become a conductor. He unexpectedly stood on the podium due to an incident. “During preparations for the 2012 winter regular concert of the college symphony orchestra, Professor Im Heonjeong declared a halt to group rehearsals. With the concert date approaching and it becoming difficult to continue rehearsals without a conductor, the offer came even to me, a first-year student.” After conducting that performance, Professor Im evaluated it as “watchable,” which led to the idea among graduates to gather and perform at least once a year. This led to the founding of OES in 2014.

Conductor Lee Gyuseo and the Orchestra Ensemble Seoul will perform Schumann's Symphony No. 1 "Spring" at the Seoul Arts Center on the 21st.
[Photo by Seoul Arts Center]

Ten years have passed since then. The conductor cites “transparency” as the charm of chamber orchestras. “To those unfamiliar, it may sound sparse, but through music like looking at blueprints, you can discover sounds you hadn’t heard before,” he introduced, adding, “Mistakes can be hidden in large orchestras, but in chamber orchestras, there is nowhere to hide, so a tense atmosphere flows, which is also a unique charm.”

In this concert, OES will present Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 38 “Spring,” along with Mendelssohn’s monumental Violin Concerto in E minor, a composer symbolizing Romanticism. Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 was composed shortly after marrying Clara and contains the happiness of the young Schumann experiencing the “spring of life.” The conductor said, “Starting like the announcement of spring, this piece begins with a fanfare from the brass instruments, expressing anticipation and longing for the warmth of spring.”

Conductor Lee Gyuseo. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

He also expressed regret about the lack of stages and opportunities for young conductors. “The influence a conductor has is truly great. An orchestra grows together with a good conductor, and for young, skilled conductors to persuade the orchestra and lead the music they want, there need to be more opportunities. I hope orchestras take a genuine interest in nurturing conductors, not just one-off events.”

OES, formed by 45 juniors and seniors in their early twenties sharing the same will, will mark its 10th anniversary next year. The conductor said, “Since all members are affiliated with various groups and active on different stages, even gathering twice a year is becoming increasingly difficult,” but added, “I want to offer audiences the charm of melodies presented more broadly by chamber orchestras.” He continued, “Like the Korean Chamber Orchestra, which will soon celebrate its 60th anniversary, I want OES to become an orchestra that presents music built up together over a long time.”