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Peaceful Unification Concert Ft. Korean-Russian Musicians
Country
Russia
Date
2023.04.25



Isn’t it proud to see how talented professionals display their success and talents with passion in foreign countries?
St. Petersburg is a globally renowned city of art where many Koreans study music. Among them, there are lots of musicians who admire and follow the traces of Tchaikovsky.


A concert for peaceful unification took place in Sheremetevskiy Palace on April 8 at 5 PM, which was organized by the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council in St. Petersburg. The concert for peaceful unification is where musicians who wish for peach and unification that all Koreans, Koryo people, and Russians can participate in. It was the second concert for peaceful unification after the pandemic since the first session in 2018 in St. Petersburg.


In this concert, in addition to the White Night Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Han Hee-jeong, who is in the 5th year of the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory Dept. of Composition and Conduction, performances were carried out by many famous Koryo people and Korean musicians.

It started with an opening address by President Choi Seon-do of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council in St. Petersburg, along with a congratulatory message by Consul General Byeon Chul-hwan of the Republic of Korea.

President Choi announced that despite the military crisis of the Korean Peninsula is serious more than ever, we cannot stop taking steps for peaceful unification and the concert is one of the projects that wish for peaceful Korea.

According to Consul General Byeon, overseas consultants have been playing an excellent role in advancing a bond of sympathy regarding peaceful unification of the international society, and that he wishes the mission of peaceful unification in the Korean peninsula can transcend generations and entire nation to be spread to Russia through this concert.


The first stage of the concert was Beethoven's piano trio by a family ensemble comprising Cho Ji-suk, Lee Hyeon-ji, and Lee Yo-han (Johan).
The second stage was Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen by Jang Andrei, a Koryo violinist of the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra.
The third stage was Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 by the White Night Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Han Hee-jeong.
The fourth stage was Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 by Lee Eun-hyun, who is currently in the doctor’s course in piano at the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory.
The fifth stage was Puccini: E Lucevan Le Stelle by Kim Yeong-gwang, who is a fourth year student at the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory Dept. of Vocal Music.
The sixth stage was Max Bruch's Romanze by Kang Anton, who is a Koryo violist of the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra. He used to be part of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra before switching over to the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra. Mr. Kang and his family were once made an appearance in a Korean TV program about multicultural families.
The last stage was Spring in My Hometown (orchestra ver.) played by the White Night Symphony Orchestra. It was such a heartwarming stage, and one of the Russian audiences said he loved this song since it was so touching.


The following is the interview of conductor Han Hee-jeong who led the White Night Symphony Orchestra at the concert.

Q. How did you feel to lead the White Night Symphony Orchestra at the concert for peaceful unification?
A. I thank a lot to my members who successfully finished the concert although we did not have many rehearsals. I also appreciate how we played so well with the soloists and interested parties for supporting us.


The following is another interview of pianist Lee Eun-hyun who played Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the White Night Symphony Orchestra.

Q. How was it to play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.1 at the concert for peaceful unification?
A. It was such an honor to participate in the concert that takes place in a foreign country. Also, it was such a pleasure to share emotions and feel connected with orchestra members while playing together.


The host was quite worried for not having many audiences because the concert was held after the pandemic and even if it was free of charge, not enough promotions were made.
Nevertheless, the 170 seats in total were fully occupied, and some people had to return to their home because there were no remaining seats. It was the time to see how it is ordinary to enjoy classical music in Russia.
Lots of audiences would have not only enjoyed beautiful melodies of the performance, but also understood Korea’s efforts in peaceful unification as presented in opening speech and congratulatory message. The stages also expressed Russia would be in peach again. As a result, the concert would be a great help to increase cultural exchange and cooperation between Korea and Russia.
It would be great if talented people in Korea and Russia can deliver messages of peach through such beautiful stages.


This news was reported by Lee Hyeon-hee of the Overseas Korean Foundation in Russia.




Overseas Korean correspondent