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A Panel Discussion
When the New York Philharmonic became the first American orchestra to play in North Korea on February 26, 2008, decades worth of Cold War reality was stood on its head. With the stars and stripes standing on stage, the 1500 North Koreans in the audience stood at attention as the musicians launched into America's national anthem.
A month later, four of those who orchestrated and covered the concert-Zarin Mehta, president and executive director of the New York Philharmonic; Daniel Wakin, culture reporter for the New York Times; Chuck R. Lustig, director of foreign news for ABC News; and Evans J.R. Revere, president of The Korea Society-gathered on a panel to share their behind-the-scenes observations of the event.
Mehta described how, hearing about the initial invitation to play in Pyongyang from a South Korean reporter, he laughed it off. When the offer was made formally, Mehta was wary. The Philharmonic is exacting about the arrangements for its concerts and the North Koreans are notoriously recalcitrant negotiators. Once preparations began, however, he found that the North Koreans were so eager to have the orchestra play that they made all necessary accommodations willingly.
When the orchestra members arrived in Pyongyang, the North Koreans provided them and the accompanying press entourage with lavish accommodations. "I thought they were consciously trying to counter the common tropes of North Korea reporting, that it's cold, dark and food is scarce," said Wakin. "There was lots of food, the hotel was overheated and the lights were on everywhere." As he was constantly being observed by official minders, however, Wakin added that he was never quite sure what about his surroundings was real and what wasn't.
Lustig, who had made several previous visits to the country, found the officials he worked with to be accommodating as well. He felt that the North Koreans he and his crew dealt with genuinely wanted the event to be a success.
The high point of the event, for all the panelists, was watching the North Korean audience react to the New York Philharmonic's performance. Uncertain or hesitant at first, eventually the audience was transparent in expressing their appreciation of the music. Wakin said that tears welled up in his minder's eyes when the orchestra played Arirang. "I felt like at that point I really hit reality," he said.
Read the Press Release
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The New York Philharmonic
A Panel Discussion
with
Zarin Mehta
President and Executive Director, New York Philharmonic
Daniel J. Wakin
Culture Reporter, The New York Times
Chuck R. Lustig
Director of Foreign News, ABC News
Moderated by
Evans J.R. Revere
President, The Korea Society
About the Speakers
Zarin Mehta is the president and executive director of the New York Philharmonic, where he has continually sought to enrich and broaden the musical experience of Philharmonic audiences both at home and abroad, through innovative programming and outreach initiatives in the U.S. and by fostering frequent major international tours by the orchestra. Prior to his appointment at the Philharmonic in 2000, Mehta served as president and chief executive officer of Chicago's Ravinia Festival.
Daniel J. Wakin is a reporter covering classical music and dance on the Culture Desk of The New York Times. Wakin has also covered religion and general assignment, and has traveled widely for the paper, writing from the Middle East in the run up to the Gulf War, covering the death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI and reporting on culture stories in Europe. Before joining the Times, Wakin was a reporter and editor at The Associated Press, based in Johannesburg, Rome and New York.
Chuck R. Lustig has been ABC News' director of Foreign News since 2001. He has worked for ABC News since 1983, holding positions in Washington, DC and Philadelphia. Lustig holds a BA in speech communication and American history from the State University of New York at Oneonta.
Evans J.R. Revere is the president of The Korea Society in New York City. He accepted this position in January 2007 after completing a 35-year career in government service, most of that as a U.S. diplomat and one of the leading Asia experts in the Department of State. During his career, Revere served as principal deputy assistant secretary and acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, chargé d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul (2000-2003) and deputy leader of the U.S. team conducting negotiations with North Korea (1998-2000).
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