Youngest of Korea's classical music festivals 'SSF' returns

"실내악, 어렵지 않아요!" 봄 클래식 축제 3대장 마지막 주자, 서울스프링실내악축제

Spring is classical music season here in Korea.
The second-oldest out of Korea's three major classical music festivals, the Tongyeong International Music Festival, took place last month.
This week the oldest, the Symphony Festival with Hanwha, is running until Sunday and the youngest, the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music, just kicked off a few days ago.
Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin tells us what you can expect at this year's edition.

The youngest of Korea's big three classical music festivals is back.
The Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music has returned for its 19th edition.
The orchestrator is first-generation classical musician and violinist Kang Dong-suk.
Back in 2006, Kang teamed up with the Seoul city government to turn his dream into reality.

"That was one of my dreams that to start something in Korea and this kind of festival exists everywhere in the world you know, and in any major cities they would have this kind of, you know, a very specific festival devoted to chamber music."

But SSF isn't just about performances.
It's about breaking down barriers, especially in chamber music, and making classical tunes accessible to everyone.

"I think it's just that they have some kind of cliche that chamber music is difficult and not accessible and all that. But I think that's completely wrong. So we have to try to prove that."

Joining Kang this year are 59 musicians, in perfect harmony under the theme "All in the Family."
The lineup includes performances from families of musicians to ensembles who've forged tight bonds through years of collaboration.
Among the performers is Mathieu Dufour, former principal flutist at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

"It's quite intense but it's always such a great opportunity to see old colleagues you know and to meet also new ones.
And I have to say in Korea there are so many fantastic young musicians and so that's why it's exciting."

SSF's impact goes beyond the stage.
Throughout the festival's nearly two-decade run, Korea has seen a rise in chamber music festivals across the country.
"Festivals like SSF are really making classical music more accessible by offering the public a series of top-notch performances. Also, with more festivals popping up and increased funding from both the public and private sectors, they're able to attract better artists and put on more captivating shows in proper venues."

For those who wish to explore the world of classical music, the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music runs until May 5th.

Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

#Seoul_Spring_Festival_of_Chamber_Music #SSF #Music #Classic #Musician #서울_스프링_실내악_축제 #실내악 #클래식 #뮤지션 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스

📣 Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/arirangtvnews
📣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/arirangtvnews
📣 Homepage : https://v2.arirang.com/

2024-04-26, 21:00 (KST)

Видео Youngest of Korea's classical music festivals 'SSF' returns канала Arirang News