Talented Korean musicians perform at “A Winter Night of Classical Music” concert at the Katara Drama Theatre on Thursday evening. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Doha: Talented members of the Seoul Flute Choir, one of the finest flute orchestras in the world, enthralled the audience at Katara Drama Theatre on Thursday with their exceptional performance of an eclectic repertoire of classical Western and Korean pieces.
“A Winter Night of Classical Music–Song of Wind from Korea” was yet another successful show presented by the Korean Embassy in Doha in cooperation with Katara Cultural Village.
The nine talented Korean musicians including Seoul Flute Choir members Bae Jaeyoung, Shim Jaeyoen, Choi Yongseok, Kim Junghyun, Im Jinyoung, Kim Eunjung, and Ro Youngju along with pianist Chu Kyojun and Doha-based flutist Shin Jihoon impressed music lovers as they played wide-ranging compositions, from Mozart and Vivaldi to Grieg and Mancini.
Starting with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Overture from Marriage of Figaro” and concluding with a medley of famous songs “Moon River”, “Try to Remember”, “I’ll Send You a Letter” and “Autumn Letter,” the well-applauded concert provided a glimpse into the wealth of Korean talent in the world of classical music.
Among the highlights of the show were the performances of Mozart’s “Andante in C major for Flute” and Antonio Vivaldi’s “Concerto in D major Op.10 Il Gardellino” with prominent soloist Bae Jaeyoung. The audience also enjoyed their impeccable performance of “Peer Gynt Suite No.1 Morning” and “Holberg Suite Op. 40” by Edvard Grieg as well as Arirang of the eight provinces and a medley of Korean children’s songs.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Qatar, Kim Chang-mo said the special event aimed at sharing Korean culture to the people of Doha, while he hailed the longstanding diplomatic ties between Korea and Qatar.
“The Republic of Korea and the State of Qatar established diplomatic relations 45 years ago, and since then, the relations have developed in various perspectives,” he said.
In the political front, the ambassador highlighted the successful exchange of high-level visits which occurred this year between the two countries including the visit of Amir H H Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani to Korea and Prime Minister H E Lee Nak-yon’s visit to Qatar, in addition to four Korean and Qatari Ministers’ visits to each other’s capitals.
“Economically, while maintaining close cooperation in energy and construction sectors, the two countries are moving forward to areas of future cooperation, as shown by ten MOUs and Action Plans signed this year,” he said.
“In line with ever-growing political and economic relations between us, my Embassy is introducing a number of Korean cultural events to the people in Doha, including traditional and classical concerts and Taekwondo demonstration,” added the ambassador.
Founded in 1992, the Seoul Flute Choir has been hosting charity concerts every year, and their innovative repertoire coupled with their outstanding performing skills has earned them high reputation demonstrated by featuring in a number of high profile concerts.
