'Let's compete, Berlin Philharmonic': New Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO
To become a leading ensemble capable of competing with the Berlin Philharmonic: This is the ambitious goal announced by Jung Jae-wal, the new CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, during a press conference Monday.
"Seoul ranks sixth on the Global Power City Index. It is inevitable for an orchestra in such a city to be equally competitive," said Jung, 60, in laying out his plans for the orchestra, which operates under the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Jung, who has decades of experience in art management and was also a journalist at Korean-language daily Joongang Ilbo, said his three-year tenure will mark the beginning of a new decade.
"I'm confident that in 10 years, we can truly compete with the Berlin Philharmonic," he said. "During my career as a journalist, I never imagined the rise of Hallyu. While I believed Korean culture would gain recognition, I didn’t expect it to become so widely and deeply established."
Jung highlighted the growing prominence of Korean classical musicians worldwide. "Individual Korean performers are excelling on the global stage. If we absorb and build upon this momentum, strengthen our foundation and use it as nourishment, I am confident we can achieve our goal in the next decade. Starting this year, we aim to prepare for this vision steadily and systematically," he said.
While detailed plans to achieve that goal will be announced in June, one key factor in achieving this goal is securing a dedicated concert hall for the orchestra, Jung said, adding that the remodeling project for the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts includes plans for such a facility, which he believes will materialize within the next 10 years.
“We are also exploring ways to expedite this process. Having a dedicated hall will bring comprehensive changes -- not only in the type and approach of our projects but also in the mindset of our orchestra members," Jung said.
"For most performances, attracting an audience is the primary concern. However, the SPO already enjoys a dedicated fanbase. This allows me to shift my focus from audience engagement to other essential aspects," Jung said.
Regarding Artistic Director Jaap van Zweden, Jung reaffirmed his trust in him continuing to lead the orchestra for the next four years.
"I have 100 percent trust in our artistic director, who is in charge of the music that he will play. Van Zweden's musical style will become what defines the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra during his tenure. I will support and cheer him on," he said.
For 2025, the SPO will focus on continuing with its Mahler cycle, undertaking overseas tours and expanding community outreach activities. A US tour is scheduled for October, culminating in a performance at New York's Carnegie Hall on Oct. 27.
Additionally, an ensemble from the SPO will perform at the Koryo Theatre in Almaty, Kazakhstan, a national theater specializing in Korean culture.
The SPO was founded as a private orchestra in 1945, shortly after Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. In 2005, the SPO transitioned to a corporate foundation, an initiative spearheaded by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which now supports about 70 percent of the orchestra's budget, to modernize its operations and increase its international competitiveness.
Previously, Jung held CEO positions at several cultural organizations including the Goyang Cultural Foundation and Seoul Performing Arts Company.
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