The KBS Symphony Orchestra is marking its 70th anniversary with an exceptional 2026 season that brings together internationally acclaimed maestros and emerging Korean talents under the theme "70 years of Melody, an Everlasting Resonance." The celebratory season features an impressive lineup of world-renowned conductors and soloists, showcasing works by classical giants including Mahler, Shostakovich, Bruckner, and Sibelius.
The season opens with a spectacular performance by Chung Myung-whun, one of Korea's most revered conductors and the orchestra's first "honorary laureate" conductor. On January 16, 2026, the 72-year-old maestro will lead the orchestra in Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto featuring violinist Leonidas Kavakos, alongside Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 "Eroica." Chung, who has recently been appointed as the next music director of Teatro alla Scala in Milan, continues to demonstrate his deep commitment to the KBS Symphony Orchestra.
Chung will continue his acclaimed Mahler cycle throughout the year with performances of Symphony No. 5 on March 13 and Symphony No. 4 on October 3. Following last year's successful performances of Mahler's First and Second Symphonies, the Korean maestro plans to pair the Austrian composer's songs and symphonies in single programs, collaborating with soprano Christiane Karg and baritone Matthias Goerne. Additionally, on April 18, Chung will conduct a concert version of Bizet's "Carmen," marking the orchestra's third independently produced concert opera project after Puccini's "Tosca" in 2017 and "La Bohème" in 2019.
The season highlights the orchestra's commitment to nurturing young talent, particularly through Chung's collaboration with rising Korean artists. On August 27, he will share the stage with 17-year-old pianist Kim Se-hyun, winner of the 2025 Long-Thibaud International Competition, for a performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2. This partnership exemplifies the orchestra's mission to bridge generations of musical excellence.
Former KBS music directors will also return to reconnect with the ensemble. Yoel Levi, who served as the orchestra's music director from 2014 to 2019, returns on May 28 to conduct Mahler's Symphony No. 6, a work for which he received widespread acclaim during his tenure. The program will also feature pianist brothers Lee Hyuk and Lee Hyo, both finalists of the 2025 Chopin Competition, performing Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos. Meanwhile, former music director Pietari Inkinen will return on September 10 with Sibelius Symphonies No. 6 and No. 7.
The season boasts an impressive roster of international guest artists and conductors. German maestro Marek Janowski will lead Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 on March 31, with clarinetist Kim Han performing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, showcasing the artistry that made him the Paris Opera's first Asian super-soloist. Bruce Liu, winner of the 2021 Chopin Competition, will perform Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 on June 18, while conductor Antony Hermus will lead a program featuring Wagner's "Cyrano de Bergerac Overture" on July 7 with violinist Nemanja Radulovic.
The celebratory season will also welcome other distinguished soloists including pianist Boris Giltburg, violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann, and cellist Steven Isserlis throughout various concerts. The season finale on December 30 will spotlight conductor and cellist Chang Han-na, who will lead Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral," bringing the anniversary celebration to a triumphant close.
The orchestra is planning a special 70th-anniversary concert on July 22, though the program details have not yet been announced. All performances during the 2026 season will take place at either the Seoul Arts Center or Lotte Concert Hall, two of Seoul's premier concert venues. The KBS Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1956 as Korea's first broadcast orchestra, continues to play a vital role in the country's classical music landscape while maintaining its commitment to both preserving classical traditions and fostering new talent.
