Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music serves lesser-known artists a chance to shine

True classical music fans especially look forward to the spring because of the annual Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music (SSF) that has taken place every year since 2006. Pianist Kim Sun-wook, who was a student during the festival's genesis ...

Last year's Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music held at the residence of late Yun Bo-seon, who was Korea's second president between 1960 and 1962, in central Seoul. [SSF]

True classical music fans especially look forward to the spring because of the annual Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music (SSF) that has taken place every year since 2006.

Pianist Kim Sun-wook, who was a student during the festival's genesis, performed in its inaugural year. It also featured star pianist Cho Seong-jin back before he had the large number of fans following him around everywhere like today. Pianist Son Yeol-eum, who has grown to become a well-established artistic director of large music festivals herself, was also introduced to classical music fans here.

“It’s a great joy for me to introduce people to young musicians through the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music,” said Kang Dong-suk, 69, a violinist and the artistic director of the festival.

This year, for its 18th edition, Kang said he wanted to introduce as many artists as possible and organized it under the theme, “The More, The Merrier!” There will be 13 performances over the course of 12 days from April 26 to May 7, and it will feature a total of 65 artists at different chamber concert halls around Seoul and, of course, one signature concert at the hanok (traditional Korean-style house) residence of the late Yun Bo-seon, who was Korea's second president between 1960 and 1962.

“The festival has grown a lot over the past 18 years,” Kang said during the press conference held at the residence of former president Yun on April 17. “I guess so far, the challenge for us was to convince people who don’t really know a lot about chamber music to come to the festival. People often mistake chamber music as being difficult. But when you actually listen to it, it’s more diverse than listening to a two-hour solo recital, and it has a lot of repertoire as well. It’s easy to understand when you come without any prejudice. If this festival changes anyone’s perception about chamber music, then it’s a success.”

Kang says he finds joy in introducing great works through the festival that are not well known in Korea and allowing young and talented musicians in Korea to perform them so that they, too, can be introduced to the masses.

“I think about SSF all year round because it takes a whole year to prepare for it,” he said. “The most important thing is casting artists, and then discovering new pieces to introduce and drawing up a program for the year. We try hard to introduce great pieces that are not yet known in Korea.”

Cellist Kang Seung-min, who has been participating in the festival for several years, said she loves to perform for the festival, though it’s nerve-wracking to perform a new repertoire and new pieces she’s never played or seen before every year.

“It’s refreshing because you get to push yourself and learn new pieces while having the opportunity to introduce contemporary pieces that are usually not included in your fixed repertoire,” Kang said.

Violinist Han Soo-jin, who has been participating in SSF for the past three years, also said she loves how the festival introduces “hidden gems every single year.”

In fact, one of the concerts was organized to introduce such “Hidden Gems,” as Kang so aptly named it. It will take place at the Seoul Arts Center’s IBK Chamber Hall on May 4 at 7:30 p.m.

From left, cellist Kang Seung-min, artistic director and violinist Kang Dong-suk, and violinist Han Soo-jin pose for a picture during the press conference held at the residence of late Yun Bo-seon in central Seoul on April 17. [SSF]

The program includes Turina’s “'La Oracion del Torero’ for String Quartet, Op. 34,” Bonis’ “Suite en Trio for Flute, Violin and Piano, Op. 59,” and Hartmann’s “Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 10.” Though it’s not included in the “Hidden Gems” concert, Kang says Raff’s “String Octet in C Major, Op. 176,” which will be performed during the closing concert on May 7 at the IBK Chamber Hall at 2 p.m., is another hidden gem.

A unique performance featuring a mime artist has been organized for this year’s festival. “Universal Language: Music and Mime,” which will be performed at 2 p.m. on May 6 at the IBK Chamber Hall of the Seoul Arts Center, has been designed to appeal to all members of the family.

As for the SSF’s signature outdoor performance at the former president Yun's residence, there will be two concerts this year — one on May 1 at 5 p.m. and another on May 5 at 2 p.m. Tickets for these cost 200,000 won ($150), while the other concert tickets range from 20,000 won to 70,000 won.

For more information about SSF, visit www.seoulspring.org

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]