Maestro Chung Myung Whun Stages Final Performance As Music Director Of The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
Maestro Chung Myung Whun staged his final performance as the music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) on Wednesday night. Korea Times reported Thursday that the 62-year-old shed back his tears after the performance at Seoul Arts Center.
Chung shook hands with all the 85 musicians after the performance. He also extended his New Year's greetings to the audience who were there to witness his final performance with the orchestra.
"The orchestra was great tonight," Chung told reporters. "I hope they continue to do well."
Reports have revealed that members of SPO distributed pamphlets among the audience and media which contained about the controversies surrounding the orchestra.
"Park [Hyun Jung], in the name of reform, abused her subordinates, and consequently 13 of the SPO's 27 administrative staff have quit over the last two years," it said.
"The fact remains that Park harassed her employees, and all SPO members, as well as music director Chung, were affected by such. The SPO exists to provide audiences with good music. We ask that the public turn a blind eye and deaf ear to slander and distorted reports by the media. Please continue to support us."
On Tuesday, Chung released a statement announcing his departure in SPO.
"It is with great sadness that I write this letter of departure from the SPO at the end of my 10th year as your music director," he said in his letter, as noted by Korea Herald Tuesday. "I would like to congratulate the SPO members on your achievements over the last 10 years -- achievements that have been applauded all over the world."
He went on, "It is sad that these achievements have been overshadowed by one person's fabricated statements. Lies and corruption may cause scandals, but human dignity and truth will prevail in the end."
"There is only one thing that I consider higher and more important than music -- namely, humanity. For this I am willing to put music at the service of helping, enriching and defending human rights, be it to help children through UNICEF or, in our case, helping the 17 people who have been terribly mistreated by the former CEO. Mistreated far beyond civilized, acceptable levels. Perhaps it is a reflection of Korean society that this has been allowed to happen," he added.