Seoul Spring Festival Looks to Go Global

The Seoul Spring Festival invites internationally renowned artists, including, from left, cellist Yang Sung-won, violinist Choi Eunsik, pianist Kim Young-ho, violinist and the festival’s artistic director Kang Dong-suk and cellist Cho Young-chang. / Courtesy of Seoul Spring Festival

Seoul will turn into a playground for music lovers next month with the opening of the 4th Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music (SSF) from May 5 to 18. Though in its early stages of development, the event is looking to expand horizons for a more global audience.

``Just like Busan boasts Asia’s largest film festival (PIFF), Seoul Spring Festival could become a major attraction for the city,’’ Kang Dong-suk, honored violinist and the festival’s artistic director, told reporters at a recent press conference in Seoul.

``Korea has major music events such as the Tongyeong International Music Festival, but it is mostly about contemporary classical music. SSF is unique in that it centers on chamber music and fringe (street) performances,’’ he said.

This year, child prodigies to mature virtuosos from near and far will join Seoulites for a program of Beethoven and more. Under the theme ``Beethoven Plus,’’ the festival will feature all-Beethoven quartets and more. Organizers said SSF hopes to inspire festivalgoers through music, like the late German composer overcame personal tragedies through the art.

In addition to Kang, local stars including cellists Yang Sung-won and Song Young-hoon (Young Song); pianists Kim Dae-jin, Kim Sun-wook, Kim Young-ho and Shin Soo-jung; and even ``salmulnori’’ (Korean folk percussion) artist Kim Duk-soo will perform for fans. In particular, maestro Shlomo Mintz will visit as a special guest, as well as the young American Jupiter String Quartet; the handsome, all-male Ebene Quartet; France’s dynamic Sine Nomine Quartet Lausanne; and the Igudesman & Joo duo that has been hyping up the Internet with their idiosyncratic performance style.

SSF will also showcase rising talent, including child prodigies 14-year-old violinist Anna Lee and cellist Cho Min-seok, and the KNUA (Korea National University of Arts) String Quartet. The opening concert on May 7 will stage the premiere of 26-year-old composer Kim Solbong’s ``Sundial Chronicles’’ for piano, violin, cello, clarinet and Korean folk instruments ``gayageum’’ (zither) and ``janggu’’ (drum). Amateur musicians will grace the streets of Seoul within the festival through SSF Fringe, from Friday through May 6.

The festival has been committed to not only bringing internationally feted artists to Seoul, but to make its presence known abroad, said festival director Shin Dong-yeop. Last year, its string quartet played two sell-out performances at the Beijing Summer Olympics, which were dominated by non-Korean audience members. SSF plans to expand the tour to Europe, he said.

Cellist Yang said that, as an audience member, he ``initially opposed’’ the festival because Seoul already has too many performances. ``But what is a festival? It has a theme and a well-organized menu where Seoul citizens are the stars, not the artists. I hope it will be a feast for the ears and eyes,’’ he said.

The free Family Concert will take place May 5 at Deoksu Palace (left). / Courtesy of Seoul Spring Festival

This year, the festival expanded its range of venues to include marginalized parts of Seoul, including Guro. ``The festival is mainly based at Sejong Chamber Hall, but it is too small, and our future plans include finding a permanent hall,’’ said Kang.

Ticket prices vary according to the venue: Deoksu Palace concerts are free of charge, though on a first-come, first-served basis, while those at Sejong Chamber Hall, Seoul Arts Center, Youngsan Art Hall, Guro Arts Valley Theater and Seoul Anglican Church range from 10,000 to 40,000 won. Special discounts are available. Visit http://www.seoulspring.org/ (Korean and English) or call (02) 712-4879.