By Julie Jackson
German conductor Christoph Eschenbach will be replacing long-time Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Chung Myung-whun at the podium of the SPO’s upcoming season opener on Jan. 9, the orchestra announced Monday.
The change in conductors follows maestro Chung’s sudden departure from the dispute-riddled orchestra organization last week, citing its ongoing legal disputes and “human rights violations” by its former head as reasons for his leaving.
Currently the music director of the National Symphony Orchestra and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Eschenbach is a respected figure in the international classical music world. Last year the conductor joined the ranks of Leonard Bernstein and Benjamin Britten by winning the prestigious Ernst von Siemens Music Prize for his contributions to the world of music.
The upcoming concert performance is being held at its original venue at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts and will feature Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, Op. 64 and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9.
Ticket prices originally ranged from 10,000 won ($8.40) to 120,000 won, however, the SPO is now offering discounted rates with the concert hall‘s best seats listed at just 70,000 won.
The conductor for the SPO’s Jan. 16 and Jan. 17 dates has yet to be announced.
(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)