Jung Jaewal, CEO of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, "Competing with Berlin Philharmonic in 10 Years... Not an Unrealistic Dream"

"I don't think it's an unrealistic dream. In 10 years, I will create an orchestra that can compete with the Berlin Philharmonic."

Jung Jae-wal, CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (Seoul Phil), held an inauguration press conference on the 13th at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, expressing his ambitious goal to compete with the world's best orchestras. The Berlin Philharmonic, along with the Vienna Philharmonic, is considered one of the top orchestras in the world.

"Over the past 30 years, watching the development of Korean culture and arts, I believed our art would one day be recognized, but I never imagined it would establish itself so rapidly and broadly on the global stage. At some point, the era of Hallyu arrived, and while it started with popular arts, Hallyu is now spreading to pure arts, and I believe Korean classical music can fully play that role."

Jung Jaewal, CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, expresses his aspirations at the inauguration press conference held on the 13th at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra

CEO Jung emphasized the need for collaboration with Korean classical musicians who are increasingly active on the global stage.

"Our country's classical musicians are standing out on the world stage. In Europe, performances often cannot proceed without Korean musicians. Individual performers are achieving remarkable results, and if we utilize that as nourishment, I am confident that in 10 years we can compete with the Berlin Philharmonic."

This year, Korean musicians will join Seoul Phil's overseas performances. Seoul Phil is scheduled to perform on October 27th at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall in New York, USA, and will also perform in Michigan and Oklahoma. Violinist Kim Bom-sori and pianist Park Jae-hong will collaborate, and works by composer Shin Dong-hoon will also be performed.

"For Seoul Phil to develop into a world-class orchestra, consideration for Korean musicians is necessary. Providing opportunities for collaboration and including them in overseas performances will allow both the musicians and the orchestra to grow together."

CEO Jung stressed the urgent need to resolve the issue of a dedicated hall for Seoul Phil's development. He insisted that since Seoul is a major city ranked 6th in global competitiveness, an orchestra representing Seoul should naturally have its own dedicated hall.

"A dedicated hall is a crucial matter that can elevate Seoul Phil's development by several levels. I will continuously raise awareness in Seoul to expedite the construction of a dedicated hall even a little. Without a dedicated hall, there are limitations to projects and considerable rental fee burdens. We mainly perform at the Seoul Arts Center and Lotte Concert Hall, but competition for the Seoul Arts Center is fierce, making it difficult to secure bookings."

Besides overseas performances this year, he mentioned important concerts such as the recordings of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 and No. 7 in January and February, and the December performance of Wagner's opera 'Tristan und Isolde.' During the five-year tenure of music director Yap Van Zweden, who was appointed last year, Seoul Phil plans to record all of Mahler's symphonies. Last year, they recorded Mahler's Symphony No. 1 'Titan' and released it on Apple Music Classical.

CEO Jung said, "Starting next year, we will also produce physical albums," adding, "We might create physical albums under our own label."

Jung Jaewal, CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, expresses his aspirations at the inauguration press conference held on the 13th at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra]

'Tristan und Isolde' is a grand work with a total performance time approaching five hours, including intermissions. Seoul Phil will co-produce the work with the National Opera Company of Korea.

CEO Jung stated, "We share the intention to produce a grand opera, so we are participating as co-hosts," and added, "I have told the members to prepare themselves mentally."

He also mentioned plans to select a new concertmaster this year, a position vacant since 2015, and to recruit up to six new members this year.

Jung Jae-wal, a former journalist, has served as chairman and general director of the Seoul Arts Company, CEO of the Arts Management Support Center, CEO of the Anyang Cultural Foundation, and CEO of the Goyang Cultural Foundation.

"This year marks the 80th anniversary of Seoul Phil's founding and the 20th anniversary of its foundation as a corporation, which is very significant. I believe there have been ups and downs over the past 20 years since corporatization. Now is truly the time to leap forward, and I feel a heavy sense of responsibility. During my three-year term, I will create a new starting point for the next decade."