Enthusiastic Germany-South Korea Youth Orchestra Performs at Funkhaus Halberg
In the heart of Saarbrücken-St. Johann, on July 24, 2025, a remarkable cultural event took place. The joint concert between the international youth orchestra Seoul YMCA and the Landes-Jugend-Symphonie-Orchester (LJO) Saar, titled "Korea-Connection Saar," was a testament to friendship and mutual respect between Korea and Germany.
The performance of "Arirang Fantasy," a symphonic arrangement of Korea's unofficial national folk song, was the highlight of the evening. This cross-cultural musical dialogue beautifully blended Korean heritage with European classical music traditions, symbolizing a bridge for cultural exchange.
For Korean guests attending the concert, hearing "Arirang" sung and performed live abroad was an emotional experience. The song, deeply rooted in Korean identity and history, evoked feelings of nostalgia, pride, and a sense of home while abroad. "Arirang" often carries themes of longing, hope, and resilience, which resonated deeply within the Korean diaspora and visitors, reinforcing their cultural roots.
The concert served as a platform to promote Korean culture abroad. Including "Arirang Fantasy" in the program aligned with the goals of "Korea-Connection Saar" as a cultural event to showcase Korean traditions, arts, and music in Germany. It helped introduce and popularize Korean cultural elements within the local community, enhancing multicultural understanding and appreciation.
The collaboration between youth musicians from the LJO Saar and Korean performers exemplified the spirit of youth engagement and cultural cooperation. It encouraged young people from different backgrounds to connect through music, fostering long-term intercultural ties.
The evening's musical director, So il Chung, is a professor at Kangnam University and the musical director and conductor of the youth symphony orchestra Seoul YMCA. Under his guidance, the concert featured a diverse repertoire, including the "Hansel and Gretel - Overture" by Engelbert Humperdinck, "Intermezzo" from Cavalleria rusticana by Pietro Mascagni, the Second Waltz by Dmitri Shostakovich, S. J. Kim's "B Rossette - Film Music," and a Studio Ghibli Medley by Joe Hisaishi.
Throughout the concert, So il Chung received enthusiastic applause after each musical performance. During the performance of "Arirang Fantasy," Korean guests sang along loudly, their voices echoing through the concert hall. The concert ended with Korean representatives thanking the German-Korean orchestra, and the audience expressed special thanks to conductor So il Chung.
Two orchestra members introduced the evening, presenting So il Chung and explaining the individual musical pieces in both Korean and German, ensuring that everyone could appreciate the diverse programme. The "Korea-Connection Saar" concert was more than just a musical performance; it was a celebration of cultural heritage, a symbol of friendship, and a testament to the power of music in bridging cultural divides.
The diverse repertoire, which included "Arirang Fantasy," served as a means to showcase Korean music within the concert program.This cross-cultural musical event, led by conductor So il Chung, also incorporated entertaining pieces like the Studio Ghibli Medley by Joe Hisaishi, symbolizing the blend of various cultural elements during the performance.
