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Concerts, museums & theater

Classical concerts

The Sonata Series of the Beethoven Association of Korea ― Heroic Beethoven
Seoul Arts Center* (See 'Venues' on the right for more information)
Aug. 29

To celebrate the 5th anniversary of its establishment, the association has been promoting Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas with 32 pianists, and has divided the performance into six sections. Its 4th performance is this August with "Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2-3" and "Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10-3" planned. Tickets cost 20,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3436-5929.

Ensemble TIMF ― Sound on the Edge 2 'Oboe'
Ilshin Hall
Sept. 7

Since its establishment in 2001, TIMF Ensemble has been playing a role in promoting the Tongyeong International Music Festival at home and abroad. In cooperation with the Ilshin Culture Foundation, the ensemble will introduce the world of contemporary classical music with a special focus on the oboe. Tickets cost 10,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Hangangjin Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 3474-8317.

Il Gardellino
LG Arts Center*
Oct. 2

World-famous Baroque ensemble Il Gardellino will hit the stage for the first time in Korea. Founded in Belgium in 1988, the group borrows its name from Vivaldi's flute concerto and features the traverso, oboe, harpsichord, violin and viola. Oboist and leader Marcel Ponseel will play Alessandro Marcello's "Oboe Concerto in D minor". Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

Seven Stars
Seoul Arts Center*
Sept. 9

The concert "Seven Stars" will give the audience an opportunity to explore the world of classical music by renowned Korean musicians. Under the baton of maestro Chung Myung-whun, cellist Yang Sung-won and four young soloists ― pianist Son Yeol-eum, violinist and violist Lee Yu-ra, violinist Shin Ara, cellist Young Song (Song Young-hoon) ― will present the harmony of live chamber music. Guitarist-composer Lee Byung-woo will also participate in this ensemble performance. "Guitar Trios No. 1 in A Major Op. 18-1, 4" by de Fossa and "Piano Trio No. 1 in B flat Major, D. 898" by Schubert will be played. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 518-7343.

Salzburg Festival in Seoul
Floating Island
Through Aug. 29

Local fans of the Salzburg Festival, one of the most prominent classical music festivals, will have a chance to enjoy past editions onscreen in Seoul. Screens set up on the Floating Island on the Han River will showcase some of the most exhilarating concerts at the festival in the last few years led by top conductors such as Daniel Barenboim, Pierre Boulez and Nicholas Harnoncourt. Admission is free. Located near exit 8-1 of the Express Bus Terminal Station on subway line 3, 7 or 9. For more information, call (02) 3447-3084.

Kwun Hyuk-joo & Son Yeol-Eum Tour
Seoul Arts Center*
Sept. 18

Two rising classical musicians, violinist Kwun Hyuk-joo and pianist Son Yeol-Eum, will embark on a cross-country tour beginning Sept. 18. The duo will perform "Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 'Poeme' Op. 20" by Catoire and "Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 9 'Kreutzer'". Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300.

Big Tickets

Yuhki Kuramoto Autumn Story `In a Beautiful Season'
Seoul Arts Center*
Sept. 17-18

Japanese new age pianist Yuhki Kuramoto will give a concert on Sept. 17 and 18. This concert is expected to satisfy audiences who enjoy the romantic mood of autumn by listening to melodious music. The program features tracks from his new album released last April, including "Shape of Love", "Second Romance", "Promenade" and others. Tickets cost 30,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 741-1763.

2PM Hands Up Asia Tour in Seoul 2011
Jamsil Gymnasium
Sept. 2-3

Popular K-pop group 2PM will hold its second concert in Seoul. Though the group suffered from the absence of its leader Jae-beom (Jay Park), it recently made a successful comeback by topping the charts with the song "Hands up". Celebrating the release of its second album, the concert will show the group's dynamic dance moves and powerful melodies. Tickets cost 55,000 to 99,000 won. Located near exit 6 or 7 of Sports Complex Station on subway line 2. For more information, call 1544-1555 or (02) 3438-2300.

2011 Rain The Best Show
Gymnastic Stadium, Olympic Park*
Sept. 24-25

K-pop singer Rain's first tour in Korea will kick off this August in Busan, and wind down on the stage at Olympic Park in Seoul on Sept. 24 and 25. The all-around entertainer, with achievements both as a singer and movie star, has gained popularity throughout Asia and even in Hollywood. In 2010 he became the first Korean star to win an award at the MTV Movie Awards. This will be the last concert tour for Rain before joining the Army at the end of this year. Tickets cost 55,000 to 165,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3788-4827 or (02) 2581-3551.

Rush Hour Concert
LG Arts Center*
Sept. 27, Oct. 11, Nov. 3

The LG Arts Center has been holding a series of concerts at 7 p.m. for office workers that usually suffer from heavy traffic jams during that time. In September, the chamber orchestra Camerata Antiqua Seoul will play popular songs that appear in commercials and film scores. In October, pianist Bae Jang-eun, winner of the 2007 Korean Music Awards, will perform jazz tunes. In November, indie band Kingston Rudieska will perform ska music, which is rooted in Jamaican culture and considered the origin of reggae music. The concerts will last an hour, and tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

The Real Group
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts*
Sept. 27

The Real Group, a successful a cappella quintet from Sweden, will be on stage to welcome the autumn season. Sticking to jazzy arrangements, this group has composed and played a wide range of songs mixed with Swedish pop melodies, since its debut in 1987. In particular, "I Sing You Sing" is an introductory song much loved by a cappella beginners. "Words" and "Small talk" are often covered by many a cappella ensembles all over the world. The group is famous in Korea for performing at the opening ceremony of the 2002 World Cup, representing Europe. Tickets cost 40,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 599-5743.

X-Japan live in Seoul
Gymnastic Stadium, Olympic Park*
Oct. 28

Japanese heavy metal band X-Japan will hold a concert in Korea on Oct. 28. X-Japan has been much loved since its debut in 1985 with "I Will Kill You" and has created sensational trends as an Asian pioneer of "visual rock". The band reunited in 2007 after its breakup in 1997. Advance ticket sales will begin in August. For more information, call (02) 548-0597~8.

2011 Kim Yeon-woo Live Tour
Woori Art Hall, Olympic Park*
Through Aug. 27

Ballad singer Kim Yeon-woo will kick off a concert tour in Seoul (June 24 to 26) before moving on to Daejeon, Busan, Suwon, Daegu and Seongnam. After his debut 16 years ago, he has been loved by many fans as well as fellow singers who recognize him as an exceptional vocalist. Tickets cost 77,000 to 99,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Olympic Park Station on subway line 5. For more information, call (02) 556-5910.

Linkin Park
Gymnastic Stadium, Olympic Park*
Sept. 8

American rock band Linkin Park will visit Korea for the third time after sellout concerts in 2003 and 2007. The upcoming performance will feature works from the group's fourth album "A Thousand Suns", which was released in 2010. The Grammy Award-winning, six-member band also celebrates fifteen years together. Tickets cost 99,000 to 110,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488.

Museums

Princely Treasures: European Masterpieces 1600-1800 from the Victoria and Albert Museum
National Museum of Korea
Through Aug. 28

The exhibition allows visitors to appreciate the collection of luxurious treasures enjoyed by the ruling class of Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. The collection is from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, which is renowned for holding world-class decorative Baroque and Rococo artworks. A total of 101 pieces were carefully selected for the exhibition and were mostly made by top-class artisans of the time at the request of powerful and wealthy nobles. For more information, call (02) 2077-9271. The museum is located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4.

The Return of the Oegyujanggak Uigwe from France
National Museum of Korea
Through Sept. 18

The National Museum of Korea will host a special exhibition celebrating the return of ancient royal books that were plundered by the French army in 1866. The event is aimed at bringing the public's attention to the historical value of the books from the Oegyujanggak Archive from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). Located near exit 2 of Ichon Station on subway line 4. For more information, call (02) 2077-9686.

Pop & Jazz

Yi Sung-yol 'Why We Fail'
Mary Hall, Sogang Univ.
Through Sept. 24

Celebrating the release of his third album, singer songwriter Yi Sung-yol will perform at the Mary Hall of Sogang University for a month. For this concert, he made all the videos first-hand and played a role in directing, from the visual effects to stage settings. Since his debut in 1997 as a member of the modern rock band U&ME Blue, Yi has become well-known by singing original soundtracks for several Korean films and dramas. His first solo album ranked 86th among the 100 best albums in Korean pop music history. Tickets cost 55,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Dae-heung Station on subway line 6. For more information, call (02) 511-0380.

Legend of Popstar 'The Story of the Beatles'
Convention Hall, Cheju Tourism College
Through Sept. 4

Fab Forever, a Beatles' tribute band from Las Vegas, visits Jeju Island and performs the famous songs that put the four Englishmen on the map under the title "The Story of the Beatles" for five weeks. A tribute band aims to perfectly imitate all the aspects of a group from its music to external elements in order to commemorate the great work of the original artists. This band is well-known for looking similar to the Beatles and appeared on the popular television show "Star King" on Aug. 6. Tickets cost 55,000 won. For more information, call 1544-9412.

Dance

Akram Khan Company 'Vertical Road'
LG Arts Center*
Sept. 30-Oct. 1

British choreographer and dancer Akram Khan returns to the local stage. Khan gained international prominence by appearing opposite French ballet dancer Sylvie Guillem in "The Sacred Monsters" in 2007 and then Juliette Binoche for the dance drama "in-i". "Vertical Road" marks his return to pure movements. Moves in this performance are inspired by the religious aspects of "vertical ascension" stressed by Islamism and Christianity. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

Mid-time Fantasy Dance Performance
The National Theater of Korea
Through Dec. 13

The National Theater of Korea is offering a weekly noon program introducing traditional dance performances every Tuesday. Eight different performances featured by the National Theater Company will be staged along with detailed explanations for audiences. Tickets cost 5,000 to 10,000 won. Located near exit 2 of Dong-guk Univ. Station on subway line 3. For more information, call (02) 2280-4114.

Ballet Nacional de Espana.
LG Arts Center*
Oct. 6-9

Audiences can enter the dynamic world of flamenco and Spanish dance at this unique performance. Since its founding as the National Dance Company in 1978, "Ballet Nacional de Espana" has achieved international fame due to its outstanding flamenco and traditional Spanish dance performances. Extending beyond dance, the company has started borrowing the music of Manuel de Falla and Joaquin Rodrigo as well as Picasso's stage art. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114.

Plays & Musicals

'Organ in My Heart'
Hoam Art Hall
Through Aug. 28

Based on the 1999 Korean film "The Harmonium in My Memory", starring the Cannes-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon, the musical recalls the dim memory of first love. The show is about Hong-yeon, a 16-year-old belatedly attending elementary school. She falls in love with her new teacher Dong-su but he develops a crush on art teacher/nurse Su-jeong. Tickets cost 40,000 to 60,000 won. Located near exit 9 of City Hall Station on subway line 1 or 2. For more information, call (02) 744-2588.

'Spring Awakening'
Doosan Art Center
Through Sept. 4

"Spring Awakening", a Broadway musical first staged in 2006 and which took eight prizes at the 61st Tony Awards the following year, has been remade. The musical deals with the conflict between youths fascinated with sexual anxiety and adults sticking to an authoritative mindset. Tickets cost 30,000 to 60,000 won. Located near exit 1 of Jongno 5-ga Station on subway line 1. For more information, call (02) 744-4334 or (02) 708-5001~3.

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