The Seoul International Music Festival (SIMF), recognized as one of South Korea's three premier classical music festivals, is set to return for its 17th edition this month with an exciting program centered around dance-inspired compositions. Artistic Director Ryu Jae-joon announced at a Tuesday press conference in Seoul that this year's theme was chosen specifically to bring joy and happiness to audiences through the universal language of dance in classical music.
SIMF stands alongside the Tongyeong International Music Festival and Music in PyeongChang as one of the nation's most prestigious classical music events. All three festivals distinguish themselves by organizing their own orchestras that perform exclusively during their respective festival periods, creating unique musical experiences for audiences.
The festival will officially open on October 30 at Lotte Concert Hall with a diverse program featuring Astor Piazzolla's "Histoire du Tango," which will be presented in a special orchestral arrangement of the original flute and guitar composition. The opening night will also showcase Mozart's Divertimento No. 17 in D major, Haydn and Rosetti's Concerto for Two Horns (M.C56Q), and Saglietti's Suite for French Horn and String Quartet. Ryu emphasized the importance of musical arrangements, drawing a parallel to translation in literature: "Just as translation was crucial for Han Kang to win the Nobel Prize in literature, so is arrangement for classical music. You'll hear a lot of great classical works that have been newly arranged."
The second day of performances will celebrate three legendary German composers through their dance-influenced masterpieces. The program will feature Beethoven's Sextet, Op. 71, Mendelssohn's String Octet, Op. 20 (MWV R20), and Schubert's String Quintet, D. 956, demonstrating how these classical masters incorporated dance elements into their chamber works.
On the third day, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will host a program dedicated to Slavic composers, including works by Glinka, Stravinsky, and Tchaikovsky. The highlight will be Stravinsky's revolutionary "The Rite of Spring," presented in a specially arranged ensemble version that will allow audiences to experience this groundbreaking ballet score in an intimate setting.
November 2 will bring audiences to Seoul Arts Center for an evening focused on string repertoire. The program will include Johann Strauss II's beloved "Voices of Spring Waltz" in a string orchestra arrangement, Dvorak's lyrical Serenade for Strings, Op. 22, and Tchaikovsky's magnificent Serenade for Strings, Op. 48. These works will showcase the rich, warm tones of string ensembles while maintaining the festival's dance theme.
The following day, November 3, will offer a more intimate experience with a recital featuring all five of Beethoven's sonatas for piano and cello. This comprehensive program will be performed by internationally acclaimed cellist Gary Hoffman and pianist David Selig at Seoul Arts Center, providing audiences with a complete journey through Beethoven's contributions to this chamber music genre.
The festival will reach its climax on November 6 with a special closing concert that holds additional cultural significance. The program will feature the Korean premiere of Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu's "A String Around Autumn," alongside Max Bruch's Concerto for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, Op. 88, and Rachmaninoff's powerful "Symphonic Dances," Op. 45. Ukrainian conductor Kirill Karabits will lead the orchestra at Seoul Arts Center for this grand finale.
The closing concert also serves as a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan, which were established in 1965. This cultural celebration through music demonstrates how the arts can bridge nations and foster international understanding through shared artistic experiences.
Music enthusiasts interested in attending the Seoul International Music Festival can find complete program details, ticket information, and scheduling on the festival's official website. The festival continues its tradition of bringing world-class classical music performances to Korean audiences while introducing innovative programming that makes classical music accessible and enjoyable for diverse audiences.
