2026.12.17 — 2026.12.18 · Coming soon
Seoul Phil: Ode to Joy — Seoul
The Seoul Philharmonic plays Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, the “Choral”, every year-end. On Thursday 17 and Friday 18 December 2026 at 7:30pm, music director Jaap van Zweden conducts two identical concerts in the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall: first, four of the orchestra’s horn players in Schumann’s Konzertstück for four horns, then the Ninth with soprano Haeran Hong, mezzo-soprano Songmi Yang, tenor Sungho Kim, bass Kihwan Sim and the Goyang Civic Choir and Anyang Civic Chorale. About 100 minutes; tickets are KRW 10,000–150,000.
The programme note calls this the orchestra’s last concert of the year, a moment in the hall to share the sense that the year has passed safely.
The Ninth comes round every year, yet is meant to sound new each time; soprano Haeran Hong sings the Choral with the orchestra for the first time, while the other three soloists have seen out past years with it.
First comes Schumann’s Konzertstück for four horns and orchestra, with four horns as soloists at once, a rarity in the orchestral repertoire.
The programme note has the orchestra’s own four horn players bringing a spring-like melody into midwinter before the Beethoven.
At 19 van Zweden became concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the youngest in its history; he turned to conducting after Leonard Bernstein invited him to lead a rehearsal in Berlin.
He has been music director of the Seoul Philharmonic since January 2024.
Checked · 2026-10-10
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2014 · Piotrus · Photo source · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Preview cropped; enlarge for full image. · Report image rights
Both nights have the same programme, so one is enough.
The programme and performers may change.
Primary-school age and over only, with proof of age.
The Concert Hall seats 2,505 on three levels, with choir seats behind the stage; GoWoah has no plan yet, and the Seoul Arts Center page has level plans and seat views.
Open official guide ↗Photos from this show come first; those from other shows may have a different stage and obstructions.
10 GoWoah points if accepted
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Thursday 17 and Friday 18 December 2026, 7:30pm (Seoul time), the same programme both nights, about 100 minutes.
Asia/SeoulSeoul Arts Center is at 2406 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul; the nearest subway station is Nambu Bus Terminal on Line 3.
Primary-school age and over (born 2019 or earlier); without proof of age, entry is refused even with a ticket and an adult. Youth, senior and other discounts need proof when collecting tickets, or the difference is charged.
KRW 10,000–150,000
Confirm accessibility services and companion policies with the organiser before travel.
Dates and entry details refer to this edition; individual sessions may differ.
FotomanBasel · CC BY-SA 4.0 Image source
Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra
Jaap van Zweden conducting in Basel, April 2024; a file photo, not this concert.
Information checked on 2026-10-10
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