The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will present a revised lineup and program for its subscription concerts on the 8th at 7:30 p.m. at Lotte Concert Hall and on the 9th at 5 p.m. at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall. With pianist Alice Sara Ott unable to appear, the orchestra will instead present "2026 Seoul Phil: Kim Sun-wook’s Beethoven and Brahms."
The change follows an unexpected surgery Alice Sara Ott underwent before her scheduled visit to Seoul. Kim Sun-wook will appear in a "play-conduct" format, serving as both conductor and piano soloist. Audiences are especially eager to hear his deep, distinctive interpretations of Beethoven.
Kim Sun-wook has been a frequent collaborator with the Seoul Philharmonic and drew attention for his Beethoven concerto recordings on Deutsche Grammophon. After expanding his conducting activities following a 2022 concert marking Korea’s 77th Liberation Day, he has continued a long-running musical partnership with the orchestra.
He studied conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London, served as artistic director of the Gyeonggi Philharmonic for the 2024–2025 season, and has been building his reputation internationally, leading European chamber orchestra tours and other engagements.
The program opens with Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain (Rimsky-Korsakov orchestration). Based on Slavic folklore, the piece traces stark, dramatic contrasts—raw, vivid energy and eerie tension giving way to the hush of dawn.
Next, Kim will both conduct and solo in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Often regarded as the most poetic and inward-looking of Beethoven’s concertos, it relies on an intimate, organic dialogue between piano and orchestra, making Kim’s dual role especially compelling.
The concert closes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. Praised for its bright, pastoral character and warm lyricism, the work evokes tranquil nature and sweeping joy, promising a radiant finale.
Ticket holders who wish to request refunds because of the cast and program changes may receive a full refund without fees through the Seoul Philharmonic call center or their point of purchase until 5 p.m. the day before each performance.
Photo: Seoul Philharmonic
