KBS Symphony Orchestra & Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra joint concert

The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of “the Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and South Korea” and the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In March 2025, to commemorate this milestone and in the hope of further developing friendship and continuing peace between Japan and South Korea, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and Korea's leading orchestra, the KBS Symphony Orchestra will hold special joint orchestra concerts in two cities, Tokyo and Seoul, under the direction of Honorary Music Director Myung-Whun Chung, featuring young talents representing both countries as soloists (special sponsor: Lotte Holdings Co., Ltd.).

The concert was conceived and will be conducted by Maestro Myung-Whun Chung, a world-renowned conductor from South Korea, Honorary Music Director of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra/Conductor Laureate of the KBS Symphony Orchestra. Under the baton of this world-renowned maestro born in Asia, members of the Japanese and Korean orchestras will come together as one orchestra to realize a collaboration between the two countries through music. The first half of the concert will feature Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos," performed with two young pianists from Japan and Korea as soloists. The main program will feature Mahler's "Symphony No. 1 'Titan,'" which is highly popular among classical music fans around the world.

The orchestra is said to be a microcosm of society. Two "societies" come together under the maestro's direction to create music ― this moving experience will surely be irreplaceable and strengthen the friendship between the two countries.