Introduction
" The Korean National Symphony Orchestra
marks a new chapter in the history of Korean symphony "
The history of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra begins in 1985 when Conductor Hong Yeon-taek founded the Korean Symphony Orchestra.
Hong Yeon-taek, who served as the 2nd music director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Korea, emphasized the necessity of a civic orchestra, and led the ensemble with a passion. With his dedication and hard work, the orchestra performed a variety of repertoire encompassing Baroque music to 20th century’s orchestral music with a large ensemble, building its musical prowess. All the while, it was selected as a leading paragon of civic orchestra, which attracted active corporate sponsorship and established a membership system. From 2001, the orchestra was designated as an art group under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, conducting a wide rage of activities including orchestral music, ballet, and opera. Revamped as the Korean National Symphony Orchestra (KNSO) in 2022, it is excelling in its role as a national arts organization that actively adapts to the rapidly changing entertainment arts trends amid the new Korean Wave.
Hong Yeon-taek, who served as the 2nd music director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Korea, emphasized the necessity of a civic orchestra, and led the ensemble with a passion. With his dedication and hard work, the orchestra performed a variety of repertoire encompassing Baroque music to 20th century’s orchestral music with a large ensemble, building its musical prowess. All the while, it was selected as a leading paragon of civic orchestra, which attracted active corporate sponsorship and established a membership system. From 2001, the orchestra was designated as an art group under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, conducting a wide rage of activities including orchestral music, ballet, and opera. Revamped as the Korean National Symphony Orchestra (KNSO) in 2022, it is excelling in its role as a national arts organization that actively adapts to the rapidly changing entertainment arts trends amid the new Korean Wave.
Leading orchestra that expands the cultural and arts base
The Korean National Symphony Orchestra, as a national arts organization, is taking the initiative in expanding public’s rights to enjoy the culture and arts arena.
The KNSO strives to expand the base of classical music by crossing the boundaries of arts from authentic classical music to movies, games, and online performances through more than 100 performances a year. Meanwhile, it is actively making efforts to resolve the cultural imbalance between regions by visiting concert halls and cultural sites nationwide. In addition, in line with the rapidly changing media environment, KNSO became the first Korean orchestra to enter the online media service (OTT service), leading a new culture of appreciating music, while also offering the underprivileged, who cannot easily visit a concert hall, an opportunity to enjoy quality cultural contents.
The KNSO strives to expand the base of classical music by crossing the boundaries of arts from authentic classical music to movies, games, and online performances through more than 100 performances a year. Meanwhile, it is actively making efforts to resolve the cultural imbalance between regions by visiting concert halls and cultural sites nationwide. In addition, in line with the rapidly changing media environment, KNSO became the first Korean orchestra to enter the online media service (OTT service), leading a new culture of appreciating music, while also offering the underprivileged, who cannot easily visit a concert hall, an opportunity to enjoy quality cultural contents.
To achieve a sustainable classical music culture
Another important mantra of KNSO is to enhance the sustainability of classical music by reaching out to future generations.
To this end, KNSO is actively seeking out talented musicians in the three key elements of an orchestra – “performer, composer, and conductor.”
KNSO’s various fostering programs, namely the KNSO International Academy that nurtures orchestra performers, the KNSO Composers’ Atelier that provides rising composers with various opportunities, and the KNSO International Conducting Competition and KNSO Conductor Workshop to discover next-generation conductors, are getting a rave reception from young musicians. The musicians who went through the above programs are growing into talented musicians that will lead Korean classical music into the future.
To this end, KNSO is actively seeking out talented musicians in the three key elements of an orchestra – “performer, composer, and conductor.”
KNSO’s various fostering programs, namely the KNSO International Academy that nurtures orchestra performers, the KNSO Composers’ Atelier that provides rising composers with various opportunities, and the KNSO International Conducting Competition and KNSO Conductor Workshop to discover next-generation conductors, are getting a rave reception from young musicians. The musicians who went through the above programs are growing into talented musicians that will lead Korean classical music into the future.
History
-
2026
- March 11thAppointment of Sung zin Kim as
KNCO Conductor - April 1stAppointment of Grace Ann Lee as
Composer-in-Residence - April 6thInauguration of Meejung Yoo as
CEO & President
- March 11thAppointment of Sung zin Kim as
-
2025
- March 30th40th Anniversary Gala Concert
at Lotte Concert Hall
(Cond. David Reiland, Pf. Louis Lortie) - July 16thEstablishment of KNSO Concert Orchestra &
Appointment of Yuwon Kim as Conductor - July 29thKorean National Symphony Concert Orchestra
Inaugural Concert (Cond. Yuwon Kim, Pf. Suyeon Kim) - July 30thJoined the World Federation of
International Music Competitions (WFIMC) - August 28th~30thConducting Workshop
- October 2ndJapan Tour: 'Brahms & Tchaikovsky' (Tokyo Opera City)
- October 6thJapan Tour: 'Brahms & Tchaikovsky' (Osaka NHK Hall)
- November 4th~5thComposers' Atelier
- March 30th40th Anniversary Gala Concert
-
2024
- January 22ndAppointment of Jaebong Rho as
Composer-in-Residence - April 15th4th KNSO Academy
- September 26thRelease of Isang Yun & Schumann Album
(Cond. David Reiland, Vc. Jaemin Han) - November 6th~10th2nd KNSO International Conducting Competition
- January 22ndAppointment of Jaebong Rho as
-
2023
- March 6th3rd KNSO International Academy
- August 8th~12thConducting Workshop
- October 31st~January 1stComposers' Atelier
- November 10thSigned MOU with the Queen Elisabeth Competition
- December 1stSigned MOU with the
American Composers Orchestra (ACO)
-
2022
- January 11thInauguration of Jung-sook Choi as CEO & President
- January 15thDavid Reiland inaugurated as 7th Artistic Director
- March 2ndName changed to Korean National Symphony Orchestra,
Assistant Conductor Elias Peter Brown,
Composer-in-Residence Yieeun Chun appointed. - March 16th2nd KNSO International Academy
- May 3rdElias Peter Brown appointed as Assistant Conductor
- May 21thYie Eun Chun appointed as Composer-in-Residence
- October 27th~29thConducting Workshop
-
2021
- January 22ndComposers’ Atelier launched
- May 3rd1st KSO International Orchestra Academy
- November 10th~14th1st KSO International Conducting Competition
-
2020
- November 30thKorea’s first symphony orchestra to enter the OTT market
-
2019
- January 11thInauguration of Sunny Park as CEO & President
- January 14thKorea-Vietnam New Year’s Concert (Hanoi Opera House)
- January 16thCommemorative Concert for 60th Anniversary of
Korea-Denmark Diplomatic Relations
-
2018
- January 13thInauguration of 6th Artistic Director Chiyong Chung
- September 24thCommemorative Concert for 60th Anniversary of
Korea-Thailand Diplomatic Relations
-
2017
- January 7thAppointment of Paul Yeon Lee as Composer-in-Residence
- March 24thRelease of 'Bruckner: The Complete Symphonies'
(Decca Classics) - October 11thWon 'Recording of the Year' for the Bruckner Symphony Cycle
-
2016
- October 10thAppointment of Texu Kim & Myunghoon Park as
Composer-in-Residence
- October 10thAppointment of Texu Kim & Myunghoon Park as
-
2015
- May 11thInauguration of Won-chul Lee as CEO & President
- September 22ndAppointment of Texu Kim & Paul Yeon Lee as
Composer-in-Residence - September 30th30th Anniversary Europe Tour:
Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, Zagreb - October 2nd30th Anniversary Europe Tour:
Bratislava Music Festival (Brucknerhaus) - October 4th30th Anniversary Europe Tour:
Closing Concert of International Brucknerfest Linz
-
2014
- January 26thInauguration of 5th Artistic Director Hunjoung Lim
- March 21thComposer-in-Residence system Introduced (Composer-in-Residence Texu Kim invited)
-
2013
- November 2ndAsia Tour: National Theatre, Bangkok
- November 4thAsia Tour: Esplanade, Singapore
-
2011
- January 27thnauguration of 4th Artistic Director Heechuhn Choi
-
2010
- June 1stUS Tour: Carnegie Hall, New York (Cond. Eun-Seong Park)
- June 7thUS Tour: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, LA
-
2007
- December 1stInauguration of 3rd Music Director Eunseong Park
-
2006
- October 3rdAsia Orchestra Week invited by Agency for Cultural Affairs,
Japan (Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall) - October 5thAsia Orchestra Week invited by Agency for Cultural Affairs,
Japan (Osaka Symphony Hall) - December 6thInvitational Concert in Shenyang, China
- October 3rdAsia Orchestra Week invited by Agency for Cultural Affairs,
-
2005
- January 25thInauguration of 2nd Music Director Min Kim
-
1990
- Affiliated Gifted Education Center established
-
1989
- July 20th~30th1st Yongpyeong Music Camp Festival
- December 2nd1st 5,000-Voice Chorus Concert for National Unity
-
1987
- August 3rdGrand Fundraising Concert for Typhoon Thelma Disaster Relief
-
1985
- March 30thKorean Symphony Orchestra Inaugural Concert & Inauguration of 1st Music Director Yeontaek Hong
Vision and Strategy
Objective
To establish a new value and strategic system
Strategic Direction and Tasks
Strengthening orchestra aptitude/competency
- Strengthening artistry and diversity
- Expanding artistic programs
- Enhancing the diversity of music and art activities
Repository of sustainable music ecosystem
- Discovering talented musicians and audience
- Discovering future talented musicians and laying the foundation for nurturing them
- Strategic promotion of audience segmentation marketing
Disseminating the right to enjoy culture and arts in regions
- Resolving the cultural imbalance between regions
- Expanding communication and sympathy with local audiences
Establishing a healthy organization culture
- Building a communicative and cooperative organizational culture
- Expansion of human resources for employment
CI
MOTIVE : PICK UP THE IDEA
CONCEPT
The CI of KNSO was designed by combining straight and curved lines to illustrate the acronym as “KNSO” referring to the Korean National Symphony Orchestra.
The first image symbolizes the musical notes that flow rhythmically with different heights.
This represents the will and resolution of KNSO that will always prioritize “good music” in terms of its value, objective, and vision.
The “K” represents the stage and auditorium. The beautiful sound from the stage echoes throughout the auditorium.
The “N” refers to the KNSO members. The image resembles the shape of notes’ hooked stem from eighth to 64th, and each of them creates a different speed, sound, and tone.
The “S” represents the audience, who experiences a good stage and music with their bright eyes and clear ears, has a smile on their lips.
The “O” symbolizes a life. Relishing in the memorable spectacle of the stage, akin to the lights on a stage, we return to our own life.
The Korean National Symphony Orchestra aspires that many people will lead a more enriched and brighter life through our good music and good performances.
Korean-English mixed version
Korean version
English version
Minimum regulations
When using logotypes, be sure to use Adobe Illustrator files to avoid any changes. When applying them, be sure to comply with regulations and principles to prevent image damage due to distortion, deformation, misuse, etc.
The minimum space regulation specifies the minimum size of each separate space to secure individual images’ independence, so no element can enter within this size.