Jeong Jae-wal, the newly appointed CEO, held his first press conference and discussed ongoing talks about the retirement policy with the labor union and orchestra members.
The Seoul Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, renowned as Korea’s representative orchestra, has experienced a stagnation period over the past decade. While individual classical musicians like Cho Seong-jin and Lim Yoon-chan have gained international fame, it is difficult to say the Seoul Philharmonic has achieved the same international status.
Since beginning his three-year term last October, Jeong stated in his press meeting that the Seoul Philharmonic “thrived for 10 years after becoming an independent foundation in 2005, and has since faced a period of stagnation.” He believes it’s time for the orchestra to leap forward, suggesting that the cultural wave originating in popular arts could also extend to classical music, with the Seoul Philharmonic leading the charge.
The stagnation of the Seoul Philharmonic can be attributed to multiple factors. After Chung Myung-whun’s resignation in 2015, the orchestra lacked a music director for some time. Although Osmo Vänskä assumed the position in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic soon followed. Since the departures of Chung and Svetlin Roussev, the concertmaster position remains vacant, impeding the bridge between the conductor and the orchestra members. During Chung’s tenure, talent was ensured through auditions, which is no longer the practice. Additionally, members who joined before April 2022 do not have a retirement age. Legal battles involving former CEO Park Hyun-jung and employees also lingered.
Jeong announced his intention to have open discussions with the union about introducing a retirement policy with the deadline set for the first half of the year. He also clarified that there are currently no legal issues involving the organization.
Regarding the hiring of a concertmaster, Jeong expressed determination to fill the position this year in collaboration with music director Jaap van Zweden, even considering budget adjustments to attract a capable leader.
Securing a dedicated concert hall remains a long-standing goal for the orchestra. Despite discussions over the years, tangible outcomes have been lacking. Plans are underway to remodel the Sejong Center by 2026 and launch a dedicated hall for the orchestra by 2028. Jeong emphasized that a dedicated hall would elevate the orchestra’s foundation significantly, pointing out the limitations and costs associated with renting venues like the Seoul Arts Center and Lotte Concert Hall.
Jeong Jae-wal, formerly a journalist with the JoongAng Ilbo, is an arts management professional with experience spanning the Seoul Arts Group, the Arts Management Support Center, and the Goyang Cultural Foundation. The Seoul Philharmonic plans to record live performances of Mahler’s Symphonies No. 2 and No. 7 to be released on Apple Music Classical and aims to record Mahler’s complete symphonies during Zweden’s tenure. Additionally, international performances, including a concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall, are scheduled.