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Korea Herald
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Lim Yunchan to perform for young audiences
21-year-old pianist will perform recitals to 'give through music' The last week of March will see internationally acclaimed pianist Lim Yunchan dedicating his performances to young people. From March 23 to 25, Lim, 21, will hold three special recitals in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, with all proceeds donated to pediatric cancer patients. On March 28, as the artist-in-residence for the Tongyeong International Music Festival, he will give an exclusive performance for local students in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, on the festival's opening day. In addition to the donations, the three recitals in Goyang are meant to reach a wider audience outside Seoul, an idea the artist suggested himself, according to his agency Moc Production. 'The planning began when Lim suggested holding performances outside of Seoul, without receiving a performance fee, and offering tickets at affordable prices," the agency said. The recitals will take place at the 1,440-seat Aram Music Hall in Goyang Aramnuri, Gyeonggi Province. Ticket prices for this concert range from 30,000 won ($21) to 50,000 won. For comparison, tickets for Lim's nationwide recital tour last year ranged from 60,000 won to 140,000 won. Since his historic win at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022 as the youngest winner in the competition's history, Lim's performances have become some of the most sought-after concerts, selling out quickly. His rising global profile has also made his performances highly attractive for corporate sponsorships and partnerships, which are frequently allocated a portion of the tickets. However, the recitals in Goyang will be held without sponsors or corporate partnerships. "We invite you to share in the warmth of the artist's heartfelt intentions and join us for this meaningful event, where the spirit of giving through music comes to life," the agency said. To ensure fair access, the agency said that tickets to all three concerts will go on sale simultaneously, preventing single buyers from amassing multiple tickets. Ticket sales begin at 3 p.m. on Friday at the Goyang Cultural Foundation website and Ticketlink. At Goyang Aramnuri, Lim will play Bach's Goldberg Variations, a piece he has chosen as the centerpiece of his repertoire this season. He has been performing it across North America and Europe, with a recital scheduled at New York's Carnegie Hall in April. In Korea, his only previously planned performance of this piece was at the Tongyeong International Music Festival on March 30. In addition to the Goldberg Variations, he will also present '...Round and velvety-smooth blend..,' a piece he commissioned from Lee Hanulij, a 19-year-old rising composer. Lee has already garnered international recognition, winning top prizes, including first place at the Bartok World Competition last November. The March 28 concert at the Tongyeong Concert Hall, organized by the Tongyeong International Music Foundation, is an invitation-only event exclusively for youngsters in the region. This year's artist-in-residence of the Tongyeong International Music Festival will perform with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra under conductor Fabien Gabel. The program includes Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2.
Korea Herald
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Qatar, Goyang city to expand cooperation
Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra to perform for 1st time in Korea at Aram Nuri Theater in Goyang The Embassy of Qatar and Goyang City pledged to enhance cooperation to strengthen Korea-Qatar diplomatic ties. In a meeting held at Goyang City Hall on Friday, Qatar's Ambassador to Korea, Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar, and Goyang Mayor Lee Dong-hwan discussed ways to achieve new milestones in Korea-Qatar ties. South Korea and Qatar established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1974. In October 2023, the two countries elevated their relationship from a "comprehensive partnership" to a "comprehensive strategic partnership," expanding diplomatic and security dialogue and reinforcing collaboration in defense and military affairs. The Middle Eastern country values South Korea's expertise in port and airport management, agriculture, data centers and healthcare. Due to its small population and dependence on foreign labor, Qatar is keen to partner with Korea on infrastructure automation. 'Last year, to mark the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relationship, the Goyang Cultural Foundation and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra signed a memorandum of understanding,' said Mayor Lee, pointing to growing ties with Qatar in culture, arts and education. According to the Goyang city government, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will perform for the first time in Korea this April at the Aram Nuri Theater in Goyang. 'I hope this performance will further strengthen the cultural and emotional bonds between our two nations,' said the mayor, praising Qatar's success in hosting the World Cup and highlighting Goyang's rise as a global cultural hub. Lee also referred to Goyang's role as a concert venue for top artists, including Jungkook of BTS, Kanye West and Blackpink. 'Through mutual exchanges in culture, arts and education, as well as strengthened global content cooperation, I hope Qatar and Goyang Special City will continue to develop a progressive and forward-looking relationship for a better future,' he said. "We will push forward with attracting prestigious international schools to Goyang by benchmarking Qatar's Education City to create a global educational environment," he said. Expressing appreciation for Lee's initiatives, Al-Hamar emphasized that while Qatar-Korea relations have traditionally centered on economic cooperation, particularly in the gas and energy sectors, efforts are needed to broaden partnerships into other fields. Qatar is a crucial energy security partner for Korea, especially for liquefied natural gas imports. Korean companies have built many of Qatar's major infrastructure projects, including roads, hospitals, power plants and industrial facilities, making Qatar an essential overseas construction market for Korea. The ambassador noted that while Korea was once mainly recognized for its economic and political importance, it has recently gained global recognition for its remarkable contributions in drama and the arts. 'Music is one of the most essential mediums for fostering cultural exchange and expanding the significance of culture between our two nations,' he said. 'Globally, Korea's music and arts have reached the highest level of excellence,' he said. The event proposed initiatives such as establishing a Free Economic Zone and attracting global enterprises. It also discussed forming a sister-city relationship between Doha and Goyang. "Media from both countries also have a key role in raising awareness across diverse areas between the two nations," Al Hamar told The Korea Herald. After the official event, Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young suggested media diplomacy to engage people and expand areas of awareness. To promote multifaceted content exchanges between Korea and Qatar, The Korea Herald and The Peninsula, an English-language daily published in Doha, Qatar, established media partnerships aimed at fostering mutual awareness and content sharing. In March 2022, they signed an agreement on the sidelines of the 20th Doha Forum to activate journalistic exchanges between Qatar and Korea. Held annually in Doha since 2003, the forum brings together global policymakers to build action-driven networks. The Korea Herald has covered diplomatic discussions there since 2022.
