KNCO young musicians complete first German tour with three performances
The KNCO, a youth orchestra of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, completed its first overseas tour, "Nore," with three performances in Hamburg and Berlin from November 3 to 5.
The 20 young musicians of the KNCO completed their "Nore" tour in Hamburg and Berlin from November 3 to 5, performing for approximately 600 audience members. The tour concluded at Isang Yun House with a tribute to the composer on the anniversary of his passing.
The KNCO (Korean National Symphony Orchestra), a youth orchestra under the Korean National Symphony Orchestra (CEO Yoo Mi-jeong, Music Director Roberto Abbado), completed its first overseas tour, "Nore," in Hamburg and Berlin, Germany, from November 3 to 5.
The 20 young musicians of the second cohort met a total of approximately 600 local audience members through three solo performances. This tour, which spanned Korean children's songs, folk songs, works by Isang Yun, and Western chamber music, was organized to expand the international stage experience for the young performers.
The KNCO performed at JazzHall in Hamburg on the 3rd, followed by Kühlhaus Berlin on the 4th, and Isang Yun House in Berlin on the 5th. A total of approximately 580 people attended the performances at JazzHall and Kühlhaus Berlin. The KNCO demonstrated diverse ensemble arrangements and solid performance skills with Poulenc's 'Sonata for Trumpet, Horn, and Trombone,' Borodin's 'String Quartet No. 2,' and Ibert's 'Three Short Pieces.' They connected with the audience through Korean songs such as 'Eolgul,' 'Arirang,' and 'Gohyang-ui Bom,' conveying emotions of hometown and memories.
The final performance at Isang Yun House was organized as a tribute to honor Isang Yun on the anniversary of his passing. In the space where the composer lived and worked during his lifetime, the young musicians retraced his musical legacy by performing 'Variations I & II' and 'Five Pieces for Piano.'
Local media evaluated the performances as "delicate yet lively," noting that they "simultaneously announced the growth potential of Korean classical music to the European stage and expanded the breadth of cultural exchange through music."
Diplomatic and cultural figures from various countries attended the performances, adding significance to the international exchange. Ko Gyeong-seok, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Germany, attended to encourage the young art group, while Lee Se-ho, the Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hamburg, the Ambassador of the Philippines to Germany, and Yang Sang-geun, the Director of the Korean Cultural Center Germany, also visited the venue to watch the performances. The Directors of the Philippine Cultural Center and the Uzbekistan Cultural Center also attended to witness the stage of the young Korean musicians.
The Korean National Symphony Orchestra stated that through this tour, they confirmed the interest and response of local audiences toward young Korean performers, and that this stage, presenting Korean songs alongside Western chamber music, was an opportunity to introduce the capabilities and potential of the next generation leading K-Classic to German audiences.
Following the KNSO Academy, the Korean National Symphony Orchestra founded the KNCO in 2025, consisting of musicians aged 19 to 39. This is a step-by-step nurturing system where performers hone their skills at the Academy and gain practical experience in the KNCO to advance into professional orchestras. Among the 199 total participants in both programs, 58 have entered professional orchestras, recording an employment rate of approximately 30% and creating a musical ecosystem that supports the growth of young musicians.
In this context, the KNCO serves as an "orchestra academy," providing a stepping stone for young musicians to grow into professional performers through 45 annual performances for audiences across the country, including Sejong. This German tour also served as an opportunity for the young performers to strengthen their ensemble capabilities and expand their international stage experience.
Inquiries can be made via the Korean National Symphony Orchestra website (www.knso.or.kr) or by telephone.
Covers K-pop for SPECIALTIMES GLOBAL, and also writes Culture and K-Variety stories.
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