The KNSO ICC was born out of this cultural foundation and the artistic excellence of Korea’s ‘national’ performing arts institutions. For young conductors from around the world, Seoul is more than just a host city. It is a stage on which they can immerse themselves in Korea’s aesthetic sensibility and dynamism, and in doing so, broaden their own musical perspectives. As a city that embraces both tradition and innovation, Seoul brings a distinctive depth and energy to the KNSO ICC. What innovative elements have been newly introduced or are planned for the KNSO ICC? One of the defining features of the KNSO ICC is that it is organized directly by the orchestra itself. While most conducting competitions operate by hiring an orchestra for the event, the KNSO, drawing on its institutional expertise and flexibility, can respond with great nuance to each conductor’s musical interpretation and provide an environment that mirrors actual concert conditions as closely as possible. Furthermore, by including works by Korean composers in the official repertoire, the competition offers young conductors from around the world the opportunity to interpret and perform contemporary music they might not otherwise encounter in their everyday musical lives. This not only broadens the artistic horizons of the conductors, but also creates a framework of artistic exchange in which composition, interpretation, and performance intersect across diverse cultural sensibilities. Most notably, at the second KNSO ICC we introduced a ‘Live Commentary System’ featuring well-known hosts and commentators. By explaining key aspects of conducting and important musical points in real time, this system enables even newcomers to classical music to follow the flow of the competition and more easily grasp each conductor’s interpretation. In doing so, the KNSO ICC has expanded both its public reach and its professional depth, setting a new benchmark for how conducting competitions are broadcast.
Could you briefly introduce the history and significance of the KNSO ICC? The KNSO International Conducting Competition (KNSO ICC) is the only international conducting competition held in Korea, providing a stage for young conductors from around the world to test their skills and build a foundation for their artistic growth. Launched in 2021, the competition is held every three years and is open to conductors between the ages of 23 and 35. The winner receives a cash prize, along with debut appearances at major concert venues in Korea and opportunities to collaborate with symphony orchestras. In a short period of time, it has established itself as one of Asia’s leading conducting competitions, drawing emerging conductors from across the globe and gaining recognition as a hub where they can build networks and step onto the international stage. The first winner, Canadian conductor Elias Peter Brown, went on to serve as associate conductor of the KNSO and was later selected as a conducting fellow under Esa- Pekka Salonen, while second-prize winner Yun Han-Gyeol received the ‘Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award’ at the 2023 Salzburg Festival. The winner of the second edition, German conductor Simon Edelmann, is currently the chief conductor of the Vogtland Philharmonic Orchestra. The KNSO ICC is steadily growing as a platform that helps the next generation of conductors with artistic vision and professional excellence advance to the world stage. Could you introduce Seoul, the host city of the KNSO ICC? Seoul is a city where centuries of history coexist with cutting-edge urban culture, often described as the ‘Artistic Heart of the Republic of Korea’. A skyline in which royal palaces stand side by side with contemporary architecture, together with the dense network of performance venues, arts institutions, and educational facilities spread throughout the city, makes Seoul a vast cultural platform.
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