On the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s death, the Seoul Philharmonic revisits the master’s legacy through “freedom”

[Financial News] The key word running through the Seoul Philharmonic’s 2027 season is “freedom.” Marking the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, the orchestra will explore his musical legacy in depth through orchestral music, opera and chamber music. Masterpieces showcasing Beethoven’s innovations will feature throughout the season, including Symphonies No. 3, “Eroica,” No. 5, “Fate,” No. 7 and No. 9, “Choral,” as well as his Violin Concerto, featuring violinist Augustin Hadelich as soloist.
Music director Jaap van Zweden identified “freedom” as the spirit running through Beethoven’s life and music. Speaking at the “2027 Seoul Philharmonic Season Opening Press Conference” in the orchestra’s rehearsal room on the fifth floor of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 19th, he said, “Freedom is the freedom of the human spirit, and it is also tied to Beethoven’s life: after losing his hearing and being imprisoned by illness, he tried to escape those circumstances.” He added, “When he could no longer hear his own playing, even at the piano, and silence descended on his life, he had to travel a very arduous road before he could liberate himself.”
Freedom is also a musical state attained through rigorous training. Conductor van Zweden stressed, “For an orchestra to be truly free onstage, it must prepare thoroughly and delve deeply into the music. Only when we are 110% prepared can we be free onstage, both as people and musically.”

The production that brings these themes together is the concert opera “Fidelio,” to be performed at the Seoul Arts Center on October 1–2 next year. Jointly presented by the Seoul Philharmonic and the SeAH Woonhyung Cultural Foundation, “Fidelio” is the only opera Beethoven completed. Through the story of Leonore, a wife who disguises herself as a man to rescue her husband, it portrays freedom, justice and marital love.
Conductor van Zweden explained, “The story of someone imprisoned who finally steps outside and wins their freedom is a beautiful metaphor for this season. It was in this work that freedom, the key word for the 2027 season, was born.”
The focus on Beethoven continues with chamber music. All five programs of “Chamber Classics,” held throughout the year, will consist of Beethoven’s works. Cellist Alban Gerhardt (February 19), violinist James Ehnes (April 3), violist Tabea Zimmermann (August 8) and oboist Cristina Gómez Godoy (October 16) will perform alongside members of the Seoul Philharmonic. Through a range of ensembles, from string quartets to wind ensembles, they will explore a more delicate side of Beethoven’s inner world, distinct from the grand sonorities of his symphonies.
[email protected] Shin Jin-a Reporter