KBS Symphony Orchestra Performs Shostakovich Symphony No. 8 Conducted by Mihael Zanderling

On the 24th at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall

The KBS Symphony Orchestra will perform Symphony No. 8, the second work of Shostakovich's 'War Symphony Trilogy,' at the 799th regular concert held at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center on the 24th.

Michael Sanderling, who has been the principal conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra since the 2021?2022 season, will conduct. This will be Sanderling's first collaboration with the KBS Symphony Orchestra.

Conductor Michael Sanderling [Photo provided by KBS Symphony Orchestra, (c) Marco Borggreve]

Sanderling served as the chief conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic from 2011 to 2019 and made frequent visits to Korea during that time. Notably, as a non-Russian, he undertook the project of recording the complete symphonies of Shostakovich (Sony Classical), which has been acclaimed as a definitive collection.

Symphony No. 8 is regarded as the darkest and most tragic among the 15 symphonies composed by Shostakovich. With a performance time exceeding one hour and a high level of difficulty, it is a work rarely performed.

The first half of the concert will feature Mozart's Oboe Concerto, known as the original version of Mozart's Flute Concerto No. 2.

Renowned for his elegant tone, technique, and outstanding musicianship, oboist Fran?ois Leleux will be the soloist. Leleux was appointed the youngest principal oboist of the Paris Opera Orchestra at the age of 18 and has served as principal oboist with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He currently teaches at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich while actively performing as a soloist, conductor, and chamber musician.

Tickets for the KBS Symphony Orchestra's 799th regular concert are available through Interpark and the Seoul Arts Center.