After three years of artistic leadership, conductor David Reiland will take the podium one final time as artistic director of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra on September 5 at the Seoul Arts Center's Concert Hall. The farewell concert will feature two masterworks: Brahms' Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77, and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition in Ravel's celebrated orchestration.
The evening will open with Brahms' monumental Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77, performed by internationally acclaimed violinist Viktoria Mullova. Mullova, who won both the prestigious Sibelius Competition in 1980 and the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1982, has built an extraordinary career that spans multiple centuries and musical styles. Her versatility allows her to move seamlessly between baroque interpretations performed on period instruments and contemporary works by composers such as Pascal Dusapin and Thomas Larcher, while also exploring jazz and world music genres.
The second half of the program will be dedicated to Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, presented in Ravel's iconic orchestral arrangement. Originally conceived by Mussorgsky as a piano suite, the work was inspired by a memorial exhibition of paintings and architectural designs by his close friend Viktor Hartmann. Ravel's masterful orchestration transforms the piece into a rich tapestry of colors, textures, and dramatic contrasts that showcase the full range of the symphony orchestra.
This farewell concert represents more than just a final performance; it serves as a comprehensive summary of Reiland's artistic vision and achievements during his tenure with the orchestra. Over the past three years, he has fundamentally redefined the ensemble's core identity through ambitious projects including Haydn's oratorio "The Creation" and a complete cycle of Schumann's symphonies. He expanded the orchestra's French repertoire with works by Berlioz and Ravel, while also championing contemporary voices through performances of compositions by Yun I-sang and emerging Korean composers such as Chun Yie-eun, Rho Jae-bong, and Cho Youn-je.
Reflecting on his departure, Reiland expressed deep gratitude for his time in Seoul. "This concert is both a tribute to the past three years and a gesture of gratitude," he said. "The passion of Korean audiences and the dedication of the orchestra's musicians have been a profound source of inspiration for me, and these experiences will remain invaluable throughout my career."
Born in 1979, the Belgian conductor has established himself as one of the most refined interpreters of his generation across a diverse range of repertoire. As a protégé of the legendary Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Reiland has earned particular acclaim for his Mozart interpretations, while also distinguishing himself in French works by Berlioz and Ravel, German Romantic repertoire, and contemporary music. His international career extends well beyond Seoul, as he currently serves as music director of both the Orchestre National de Metz in France and the Lausanne Sinfonietta in Switzerland.
Reiland maintains close collaborative relationships with leading orchestras worldwide, including the Munich Symphony, Berlin Konzerthaus Orchestra, and Paris Chamber Orchestra. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside distinguished conductors such as Simon Rattle, Vladimir Jurowski, and Roger Norrington. In recognition of his significant contributions to culture, Reiland was awarded the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres with the rank of Chevalier in 2023.
The Korean National Symphony Orchestra will welcome Italian conductor Roberto Abbado as Reiland's successor, with Abbado set to begin his three-year term as artistic director in January 2026. The orchestra itself has a rich history, having been founded in 1985 as the Korean Symphony Orchestra before being restructured and renamed as the Korean National Symphony Orchestra in 2022. Throughout its existence, the ensemble has remained a cornerstone of Korea's classical music scene, continuing to play a vital role in the country's cultural landscape.
