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STATEMENT ON THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA'S UPCOMING CONCERT IN THE DPRK
The Korea Society is greatly pleased at the announcement by the
New York Philharmonic Orchestra that it will play a concert in the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea on February 26, 2008.
The Korea Society lent its assistance to the New York Philharmonic
earlier this year, as they and officials from the DPRK explored the
possibility of a performance. As an organization dedicated to improving
ties between the United States and Korea, The Korea Society believes
that this performance will be helpful in strengthening the relationship
between the United States and North Korea, as well as that between
North Korea and South Korea.
LORIN MAAZEL AND THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC TO PERFORM IN PYONGYANG, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
CONCERT TO TAKE PLACE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008
48-Hour
Visit to Pyongyang, February 25-27, To Include Open Rehearsal And
Master Classes for Conservatory Students by Philharmonic Musicians
Orchestra To Perform a Companion Concert in
SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2008
Concerts Made Possible by Yoko Nagae Ceschina, and ASIANA AIRLINES in Cooperation with MUNHWA BROADCASTING COMPANY (R.O.K.)
With the encouragement and support of the U.S. Department of
State, the New York Philharmonic has accepted an invitation issued by
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to perform a concert in the
capital city of Pyongyang. The concert will take place on Tuesday, February 26, 2008,
at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, and will be the centerpiece of a
48-hour visit, February 25-27, 2008. In addition, music conservatory
students will have the opportunity to attend master classes by
Philharmonic musicians, as well as the Orchestra's rehearsal. The
concert program in Pyongyang will include Gershwin's An American in Paris, and Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, From the New World.
The New York Philharmonic acknowledges with gratitude the guidance and encouragement of the U.S. Department of State, and the assistance of The Korea Society.
On Thursday, February 28, following the 48-hour visit to
Pyongyang, the New York Philharmonic will travel to Seoul, Republic of
Korea, to perform a companion concert, in a program to include
Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. Television broadcast plans for the
Pyongyang and Seoul concerts will be announced at a later date.
The New York Philharmonic visit to Pyongyang is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Yoko Nagae Ceschina, a greatly dedicated patron of the Orchestra. Asiana Airlines will provide charter air transportation, with support from MBC, the Munhwa Broadcasting Company of the Republic of Korea.
"This journey is a manifestation of the power of music to unite
people," said Zarin Mehta, President and Executive Director of the New
York Philharmonic. "In August, the New York Philharmonic received an
invitation to perform in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from
its government. With the invaluable assistance and support of the U.S.
Department of State and The Korea Society, we engaged in a thorough
investigation of all issues involved in such an endeavor, and I am
pleased to be able to confirm the concert in Pyongyang. I am also
pleased that we are able to return to Seoul to perform a companion
concert. It is our sincere hope that these concerts will aid in the
beginning of a new era between the peoples of our nations."
"Since the New York Philharmonic's first international tour in
1920, the Orchestra has shared its artistry in 420 cities in 58
countries on 5 continents," said Paul B. Guenther, Chairman of the New
York Philharmonic. "However, the February concerts on the Korean
Peninsula are unique-they grow out of the philharmonic's tradition of
speaking on a world stage, on significant occasions, in the
international language of music. From the historic 1959 tour of the
Soviet Union, to the 2005 celebration of Dresden's rebuilt
Frauenkirche, to the February concerts, it is our hope that the music
of the Philharmonic, can, in some way, serve as a catalyst for positive
change."
Music Director Lorin Maazel commented, "I look forward with great
eagerness to this opportunity to lead the magnificently talented
musicians of the New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang, to bring to that
audience the beauty and brilliance of the art form with which I have
lived my entire life. I have always felt that music is a powerful
language in which those of us who are humane and intelligent can speak
to each other, in defiance of political and cultural boundaries. I hope
that these two days will not only include stellar music-making, but
will represent the beginning of a friendship that will continue to grow
after the Orchestra has returned to New York."
"The Orchestra is excited to be going to Pyongyang," said Fiona
Simon, Chairman of the Orchestra Committee. "We hope that our
activities there will result in both a lasting improvement in the
relationship between our two countries, and make a positive difference
to the people living in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We
are particularly looking forward to interacting personally with North
Korean musicians, both students and professionals."
"I have always admired the New York Philharmonic, and am proud to
support this very important and historic concert in Pyongyang,"
commented Yoko Nagae Ceschina, sponsor of the visit to Pyongyang.
"Music is a language that all of us can understand, no matter where we
come from, and that speaks most directly to our hearts."
"The Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation has long been the host and
friend of the New York Philharmonic in the Republic of Korea,"
commented Sam Koo Park, Chairman of the Kumho Asiana Group. "In keeping
with this strong record of support, Asiana Airlines is extremely proud
to provide air transportation for the Orchestra's historic journey to
Pyongyang. We look forward also to welcoming them back to Seoul, which
has become a kind of second home for the Philharmonic."
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