Korean Symphony Orchestra

Since concluding an exclusive contract with the National Theater of Korea in 1987, the Korean Symphony Orchestra(KSO) has held regular joint productions with the Korea National Opera, the Korean National Ballet, and theNational Chorus of Korea as part of its repertoire. And from 2001, following its designation as the resident orchestraof the Seoul Arts Center (SAC), it has established itself at the SAC as Korea’s leading theater resident orchestra.

Similar to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, it is the only house orchestra in Korea to possess the know-how andperformance experience to stage professional opera house performances such as ballet and opera music. Havingheld more than 40 annual ballet and opera performances over the years, it continues to solidify and expand itsrepertoire every year while maintaining an unrivaled reputation in music for ballet and opera in Korea. As theleading performance ensemble in the field of orchestral music, it continues to play regular and special programconcerts on the main stages of the Seoul Arts Center.

Formally recognized as a non-profit foundation by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) in2001, KSO has since been incorporated as a professional arts organization and is now affiliated with the MCST, thusmaking it eligible to receive government budget support for its operations. In this way, it has become a modelfor governance in the field of arts and culture. Currently numbering 100 orchestra and staff members, includingtwo composers-in-residence, the KSO continues to work towards the advancement of Korea’s performing arts andconcerts. http://eng.koreansymphony.com

Chi-Yong Chung, Conductor

In 2018, Chi-Yong Chung was inaugurated as the 6th Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Korean Symphony Orchestra. One of the most sought-afterconductors of his generation in Korea, Chi-Yong Chung is highly regarded for his vivid interpretations, deep musical insights, strong ensemble leadership, and virtuosobaton technique. In particular, he is well-known as a specialist in modern music and Korean composers’ new works including Isang Yun’s music. Chung began hispiano studies at age five and later entered the prestigious Seoul National University School of Music as a composition major. He then graduated from the conductingclass of Michael Gielen at the Salzburg Mozarteum in Austria. Chung served as Assistant Conductor of the Salzburg International Summer Festival and was awardedthe Austrian Culture Ministry Award upon graduation. Following appearances as guest conductor of the Radio Symphony of Leipzig, Prague Radio Symphony, MunichSymphony, Michigan State Symphony, and Russian Philharmonic, he made his debut in Korea with the Seoul Philharmonic in 1992. Chung has conducted numerousKorean orchestras such as the KBS Symphony, Bucheon Philharmonic, Korean Symphony Orchestra, Daegu Philharmonic, Daejeon Philharmonic, and the ChangwonPhilharmonic, where he served as music director. He is also renowned for his work as an opera conductor. In addition to leading many operas of the Italian, French, andGerman repertoires, Chung has premiered new Korean works for the stage including , by Keung-Soo Lim, by Hyeon-Ok Kim, and by Dong-Hoon Lee. Chi-Yong Chung is the foremost champion of the music of Isang Yun,having led the Korean premieres of numerous works, including , , as well as operas suchas and . He is currently Director of the School of Music at the Korean National University of the Arts, wherehe is leading the education of the next generation of Korean musicians, and Music Director of Incheon Philharmonic. His past positions include the chairmanship ofKorean Conductors Association. Among his many distinctions, Chung received the Soo-Keun Kim Culture Award, Young Artist Prize of Korean Culture Ministry, MusicAssociation of Korea Award, and the Korean Music Journalists Association Award.