Following a successful grand opening festival led by renowned conductor and artistic director Myung-whun Chung, Busan Concert Hall in Yeonji-dong, Busanjin-gu has now officially begun full operations as a dedicated classical music venue.
Held from June 21 to 28, the opening festival marked a milestone in Busan’s cultural landscape, positioning the concert hall as Korea’s premier destination for world-class classical performances. With sold-out shows and enthusiastic reviews, the momentum is set to continue into the second half of 2025.
According to Classic Busan on June 30, the ‘World Series’ will bring top international orchestras to Busan throughout the fall. Highlights include:
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La Scala Philharmonic (September 18, 7:30 pm) – Italy’s premier orchestra led by Artistic Director Myung-whun Chung and joined by pianist Nikolai Lugansky, known as the “incarnation of Rachmaninoff.”
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London Philharmonic Orchestra (October 17, 7:30 pm) – A fan-favorite in Korea, led by Edward Gardner, with Korean pianist Son Yeol-eum as soloist.
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Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (November 9, 5:00 pm) – Frequently ranked among the top orchestras in the world, appearing with rising star conductor Klaus Mäkelä.
These high-profile events follow performances in Seoul, offering local audiences in Busan a rare opportunity to enjoy global-caliber music in a purpose-built hall with superior acoustics.
Additional noteworthy performances include:
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Pianist Baek Hye-seon’s Recital (August 8, 7:30 pm)
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‘Bernard Werber x Sejong Soloists’ (August 30, 5:00 pm), blending literature and music
Classic Busan also continues its ‘HELLO’ educational series, aimed at making classical music more accessible:
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Hello Organ (July 8–November 27)
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Hello Opera (September 24–27)
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Hello Classic – Bach vs. Handel (November 18–20)
Public interest is already high. The 14th Lee Tae-seok Memorial Concert received more applicants than available seats (2,011), and tickets for the Busan City Symphony Orchestra’s July concert sold out in just eight minutes.
