Hong Kong Philharmonic offer precision and poise in Seoul

Yekwon Sunwoo and the Hong Kong Philharmonic

Lio Kuokman conducts the Hong Kong Philharmonic

By SangKwon Lee, 21 October 2025

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“the Fifth Symphony provided the evening’s centre of gravity”

Reviewed at Seoul Arts Center: Concert Hall, Seoul on 19 October 2025

Chin, subito con forza

Kwong, Festine lente

Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto no. 1 in B flat minor, Op.23

Tchaikovsky, Symphony no. 5 in E minor, Op.64

Yekwon Sunwoo, Piano

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

Lio Kuokman, Conductor

Hong Kong Phil revels in Schoenberg’s beefed-up Brahms

Christopher Halls, 17th October

Led by celebrated Chinese conductor Long Yu, the Hong Kong Philharmonic shines in Schönberg’s bold Brahms “makeover” and features two of their own as soloists in a finely contoured performance of the Double Concerto

****1

A tokenistic Turandot in Hong Kong

Dr. Anton D. Luiten, 10th October

Veronika Dzhioeva presents a menacing Turandot in Opera Hong Kong's latest production which attempts to merge historical accuracy with the complexities of Orientalism.

***11

A triumphant return to Singapore by the Hong Kong Philharmonic

Chang Tou Liang, 20th February

On its 50th anniversary concert tour, the Hong Kong Philharmonic pulls out all stops in Singapore, joined by star French pianist Alexandre Kantorow.

*****

Lang Lang sparkles in Hong Kong Beethoven

Christopher Halls, 15th December

Star pianist Lang Lang delivers a drama-packed Beethoven concerto; Jaap van Zweden and the Hong Kong Phil impress in Copland's fanfare-filled Third Symphony.

****1

Hong Kong Philharmonic packs a punch with Tarmo Peltokoski at the helm

Christopher Halls, 30th June

Memorable Tchaikovsky from Leonidas Kavakos and the Hong Kong Philharmonic is flanked by strong performances of Sibelius and Shostakovich.

****1

Järvi and the HK Phil: swans in Sibelius, sparkle in Liszt

Christopher Halls, 7th April

The Hong Kong Philharmonic under Paavo Järvi seduce with delicious Strauss, a mighty Sibelius Fifth and Zee Zee’s vibrant Liszt Piano Concerto no. 2.

****1

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SangKwon Lee

SangKwon Lee is a Seoul-based classical music critic whose writing focuses on concert performances and recordings. A contributor to Gramophone and a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, he covers the classical music scene in Korea and internationally.

Precision and poise from Lio Kuokman and the Hong Kong Philharmonic in Seoul