KBS Symphony Orchestra

KBS Symphony Orchestra
Hangul	KBS 교향악단
Hanja	KBS 交響樂團
Revised Romanization	KBS Gyohyang Akdan
McCune–Reischauer	KBS Kyohyang Akdan

The KBS Symphony Orchestra (KBS 교향악단) is one of the most famous symphony orchestras in South Korea. It was founded in 1956 as the radio orchestra of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).

Between 1969 and 1981, it became a state-run organization, changing its name to the National Symphony Orchestra of Korea. In this period, they performed chiefly in the National Theater of Korea. In 1979, they made their first tour overseas, in USA.

From 1981, the orchestra's designation was restored to its former name, and new positions, such as general manager, principal guest conductor and full-time conductor, were established in the organization. Their subsequent overseas tours were in Southeast Asia (1984) and Japan (1985 and 1991). In October 1995, they performed in the UN General Assembly in New York City.

In 2000 and 2002, they performed with the State Symphony Orchestra of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in Seoul and Pyongyang. They also held "goodwill exchange concerts" with the NHK Symphony Orchestra and the China National Symphony Orchestra in 2002.

They now play chiefly in KBS Hall and the concert hall of the Seoul Arts Center.

Conductors

Principal conductors

• Won-Sik Im (1956–1971)
• Yeon-Taek Hong (1971–1981)
• Gyeong-Su Won (1986–1988)
• Othmar Mága (1992–1996)
• Myung-Whun Chung (1999)
• Dmitri Kitayenko (1999–2004)
• Shinik Hahm (2010–2012)
• Yoel Levi (2013–)

Principal guest conductors

• Walter Gilesen (1982–1984)
• Moshe Atzmon (1990–1992)
• Vakhtang Jordania (1990–1996)
• Eun-Seong Park (2000–2002)
• Seung Gwak (2004–2006, 2013–)

Full-time conductor

• Nan-Sae Geum (1981–1992)

Conductor Emeritus

• Won-Sik Im (1998–2002)

Recordings

In 1995, the KBS Symphony Orchestra recorded Alan Hovhaness' Symphonies Nos. 39 and 46 with guitarist Michael Long and conductor Vakhtang Jordania with KOCH International Classics. The recording was nominated for the Grammy Awards and, since then, has become quite famous. The Orchestra has also made numerous recordings with Seoul Records, KBS and other recording companies.

External links

• Official homepage (in English)
• KBS Symphony Orchestra : Official Seoul City Tourism