Seoul Philharmonic launches European tour with midsummer 'Choral' preview under Jaap van Zweden

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is staging a midsummer performance of Beethoven's "Choral" symphony in Korea ahead of its first European tour with Music Director Jaap van Zweden — the orchestra's first such trip in four years.

The orchestra opened its "2026 Seoul Phil European Tour Preview Concert: Beethoven's 'Choral'" at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Wednesday afternoon.

The concert serves as a preview before the orchestra embarks on a three-country European tour from Aug. 25 to 31, taking in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. The program offers a rare midsummer encounter with Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, "Choral" — a work more commonly associated with year-end concerts in Korea's classical music calendar.

Van Zweden leads the performance with his trademark precision and explosive energy, drawing together top-tier vocal soloists and chorus. Soprano Choi Ji-eun, mezzo-soprano Lee A-kyung and tenor Son Ji-hun join forces with the National Chorus of Korea to deliver a sweeping rendition of the "Ode to Joy."

A particular highlight is the appearance of baritone Matthias Goerne, widely regarded as a master of the German art song, who returns to the Seoul Phil stage for the first time in nine years. Goerne performs John Adams' "The Wound-Dresser," a setting of Walt Whitman's poetry that traces the perspective of a caregiver tending to wounded soldiers on the battlefield. His rich, deep timbre and expressive depth are expected to draw out the work's lyricism and human compassion.

The European tour will take the orchestra to major music festivals and prestigious concert halls across the classical heartland. The itinerary opens at the Quincena Musical festival in San Sebastián, Spain (Kursaal Auditorium) on Aug. 25-26, continues to the Merano Music Festival in Italy (Kurhaus Kursaal Hall) on Aug. 28, and concludes with two performances at the Concertgebouw's main hall in Amsterdam on Aug. 30-31.

Both Amsterdam dates — Van Zweden's hometown stage and the hall where he built his career — sold out well in advance, underscoring strong interest among European audiences.

On the European leg, violinist Kim Bom-sori joins as an additional soloist alongside Goerne. The tour will also feature the European premiere of "Inferno," a commissioned work by composer Jung Jae-il, who earned international recognition for his scores for the film "Parasite" and the Netflix series "Squid Game."

Following Wednesday's preview, the orchestra meets audiences again Friday at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' main hall for a Liberation Day commemorative concert titled "Choral," then continues at Lotte Concert Hall on Aug. 20-21 with Respighi's "Pines of Rome," the centerpiece of the European tour program.