Seoul Phil Europe tour a success

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra led by conductor Chung Myung-whun had a “successful” concert tour in Europe, paving the way for the country’s leading symphony to officially make inroads into one of the toughest and demanding markets, the orchestra’s chief said on Wednesday.

“Our first European tour was successful to the point that we can say that we have secured a solid footing in Europe, which has one of the world’s most established and dignified orchestras and audience demographics,” Kim Joo-ho, president and chief executive of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, told reporters in Seoul.

The 110-member team and Chung displayed their might to the high-brow European audience throughout the program scheduled from May 29 to June 11. Kim said this year marked the first time in its history that the orchestra went on an official tour, which he stressed was of notable scale. He added that a true concert “tour” means having invitations from more than two places.