Busan's First Dedicated Classical Music Venue, 'Busan Concert Hall' Opens to Public on the 17th

Mayor Park Hyungjun, Artistic Director Chung Myung-whun of Classic Busan, and CEO Park Minjung of Classic Busan Hold Press Conference
Introduction of Various Programs at Busan Concert Hall, Including Opening Festival Program and Special Performances

Busan Classic Busan announced on the 17th that it will unveil the 'Busan Concert Hall,' the first dedicated classical music venue in Busan, which will open on June 20, along with the opening festival program.

The 'Busan Concert Hall' is directly operated by Busan Classic Busan and consists of one basement floor and three above-ground floors, housing a large concert hall with 2,011 seats and a small concert hall with 400 seats. In addition to various facilities optimized for classical performances, it is located within Busan Citizens Park, which offers excellent accessibility, allowing Busan citizens to freely enjoy an 'open concert hall' after its opening.

In particular, with the opening of the Busan Concert Hall, it is expected to become the first non-metropolitan venue equipped with a pipe organ (4,406 pipes, 62 stops), drawing great interest from Busan citizens and music enthusiasts.

The pipe organ is called the 'king of instruments' because it has a wide range of tones that can substitute for an orchestra by combining pipes and tone buttons (stops).

Busan Concert Hall Pipe Organ.

The large concert hall with 2,011 seats is the largest outside the metropolitan area and is designed in a vineyard style, pursuing visual beauty as well. Additionally, it features seats optimized for the best acoustics, ensemble sound reflectors, and an automated system under the stage, creating an environment perfectly suited for classical performances down to the finest details.

To commemorate the official opening of the Busan Concert Hall, the 'Opening Festival Program' will be held from June 20 to June 28, presenting a variety of performances under the baton of inaugural artistic director Chung Myung-whun.

The first performance on June 20 will be conducted by Artistic Director Chung Myung-whun himself. Violinist Sayaka Shoji and cellist Jian Wang will participate, performing Beethoven's representative works, including the 'Triple Concerto' and the 'Choral Symphony.'

The chamber series will feature pianist Seong-Jin Cho's recital on June 22, Yekwon Sunwoo on June 23, and Chung Myung-whun on June 25. Seong-Jin Cho will perform piano solo sonatas by Beethoven and Brahms, while Yekwon Sunwoo and Chung Myung-whun will prepare chamber music performances with principal members of the APO.

The APO (Asia Philharmonic Orchestra) is an orchestra formed by recruiting Asian members active in world-renowned symphony orchestras for the opening of the Busan Concert Hall.

Violinist David Garrett and pianist Hyung-ki Joo are preparing a unique performance that adds cheerful humor to exquisite classical music, and organist Jae-hyuk Cho's 'Organ Recital' will provide a great opportunity to experience the rich sound of the pipe organ.

Additionally, the final performance will feature Beethoven's only opera, 'Fidelio.' 'Fidelio' is a grand epic about realizing justice against unjust reality, with participation from the Busan Metropolitan Choir, the National Choir, and top domestic and international vocalists such as tenor Eric Cutler, soprano Hratchia Basents, and Ji-hoon Son.

Tickets for the 'Opening Festival Program' can be reserved through the Classic Busan website, with ticket sales to be announced later.

For further inquiries, please contact the Classic Busan Performance Planning Team.

Launched in July last year, 'Classic Busan' is striving to become a 'classical culture city Busan' together with world-renowned conductor Artistic Director Chung Myung-whun.

'Classic Busan' directly operates the Busan Concert Hall and the Busan Opera House (scheduled to open in 2027), and these two large venues are expected to become landmarks representing local culture in the future.

Park Min-jung, CEO of Busan Classic Busan, said, “The Busan Concert Hall will be a space where people can enjoy and learn music joyfully and comfortably in nature, as well as host world-class performances. We also expect it to be a milestone that will open a new chapter in the domestic and international classical music scene, and together with the Busan Opera House, we hope it will bring a fresh breeze to the classical music world in Korea.”

Busan Concert Hall.