Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to open 2027 Prague Spring Music Festival

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) will make history in 2027 as the first non-European orchestra to open the prestigious Prague Spring International Music Festival. The invitation marks a significant milestone for the orchestra and for classical music from South Korea on the international stage.

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Opening the Prague Spring International Music Festival, a historic European music festival, is significant in further elevating the status of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Korean classical music.

Under the direction of Music Director Jaap van Zweden, the SPO is scheduled to perform the entirety of Czech composer Bedřich Smetana's "My Country" on May 12-13, 2027, at the Smetana Hall of the Municipal House in Prague. This iconic work is traditionally performed to open the festival, which has an 80-year history dating back to 1946. The festival has historically been opened by world-renowned orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic.

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This is the first case of breaking the door of a festival that has been operated strictly centered on Europe.

SPO President Jae-wal Chung described the invitation as breaking the mold of a festival traditionally centered on European orchestras. He explained that the idea to participate in major European festivals had been a long-standing goal. The approach to the Prague festival was initially tentative, but the festival's executive board was receptive, particularly with a change in leadership seeking to broaden the festival's scope. Chung attributed the invitation to the SPO's past performances at New York's Carnegie Hall, its album releases, and positive word-of-mouth from guest conductors and musicians.

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We had been thinking it would be good for the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to participate in major European festivals, and last year, when conductor van Zweden visited the Prague festival as a guest conductor with the Chicago Symphony, I thought it would be good to go there and impulsively knocked on the door.

Chung acknowledged that Maestro van Zweden initially had reservations due to the profound significance of "My Country" to Czech audiences. However, he persuaded the conductor, emphasizing the invaluable opportunity. Van Zweden's own connection to the music and the trust the orchestra members place in him are expected to result in a powerful performance. The orchestra's participation is seen as a testament to its growing international reputation and its ability to connect with diverse musical traditions.

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It seems that the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra became a good card in changing the festival, which had only operated centered on Europe, as the festival executive committee changed.