In 2008, a historic event took place: The New York Philharmonic, under the baton of acclaimed conductor Lorin Maazel (1930-2014) traveled to Pyongyang, North Korea to perform a concert at East Pyongyang Grand Theatre. It was the first time since the Korean War that significant US-American cultural representatives were permitted to visit the secluded country. This event captures a historic moment in which music found itself navigating sensitive political realities, and revealed its unique power – the power to awaken human minds and to push for change by creating moments of communication, unity, and hope.
The New York Philharmonic began the concert by performing the national anthems of North Korea and the United States, followed by a program that introduced the audience to European and US-American classics – Richard Wagner, Antonín Dvořák, George Bizet, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin's "An American in Paris". The orchestra closed the concert with the famous Korean folk song "Arirang", which is beloved in both, South and North Korea.
Directed by Michael Beyer
Produced by Paul Smaczny
2008, EuroArts Music, in coproduction with Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, ARTE France, Thirteen/WNET New York, in association with New York Philharmonic
From East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: The New York Philharmonic, under the baton of Lorin Maazel, performs "The Pyongyang Concert".
The New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang:
Live from East Pyongyang Grand Theatre
Lorin Maazel - conductor / musical director
