2008 visit by New York Philharmonic to North Korea

Classical music concert in Pyongyang February 2018 The New York Philharmonic concert in Pyongyang, North Korea, on February 26, 2008, was a significant event in North Korea–United States relations. The orchestra played in East Pyongyang Grand Theatre,http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKSEO3031620080226 North Korea tunes in to New York Philharmonic Herskovitz Jon Reuters February 26, 2008 February 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080229091110/http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKSEO3031620080226 February 29, 2008 dead with the entire concert broadcast on North Korean state television.http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/world/20080228TDY05308.htm DPRK seeks gain in orchestra visit Yomiuri Shimbun February 28, 2008 February 28, 2008 https://archive.today/20080302004516/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/world/20080228TDY05308.htm March 2, 2008 dead Concert Program thumb|New York Philharmonic at a performance at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in North Korea. thumb|2006 photo of Lorin Maazel conducting the Philharmonic. The program, conducted by Lorin Maazel, included the national anthems of both North Korea ("Aegukka") and the United States ("The Star-Spangled Banner"), the Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin by Richard Wagner, Antonín Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World", and George Gershwin's An American in Paris. Encores included the Farandole from Georges Bizet's Second L'Arlesienne Suite, Leonard Bernstein's Overture to Candide, and concluded Wakin Daniel https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/world/asia/27symphony.html?_r=1 North Koreans Welcome Symphonic Diplomacy The New York Times February 27, 2008 March 23, 2010 live https://web.archive.org/web/20170305114628/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/world/asia/27symphony.html?_r=1 March 5, 2017 mdy-all with Choi Sung-hwan's 1976 "Arirang Fantasy", based on the popular Korean folk song "Bonjo Arirang". Kuhn Anthony https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19320170 New York Philharmonic Heads to North Korea National Public Radio February 27, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080226114902/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19320170 February 26, 2008 mdy-allhttp://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10758160 Cultural diplomacy: Soft power and a rapturous ovation The Economist February 28, 2008 February 28, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080304165257/http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10758160 March 4, 2008 live The Dvořák, Gershwin, and Bernstein works were each originally premiered by the New York Philharmonic, which is the oldest U.S. orchestra. Herman Burt http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1715457,00.html US Orchestra to Play in North Korea Time February 22, 2008 February 29, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080302151140/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1715457%2C00.html March 2, 2008 dead mdy-all Attendance North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il did not attend the concert, but vice president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Yang Hyong-sop and the Foreign Ministry's America chief Li Gun were present.http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200802/200802270015.html U.S. Anthem Gets Orchestral Airing in Pyongyang The Chosun Ilbo February 27, 2008 February 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080301220150/http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200802/200802270015.html March 1, 2008 dead Broadcast At the request of the New York Philharmonic, a live national broadcast was aired on Korean Central Television. Wakin Daniel J. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/arts/music/19orch.html?ex=1361077200&en=9d499f926bc0be4c&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Concert in North Korea to Be Broadcast Live The New York Times February 19, 2008 February 28, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080303074123/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/arts/music/19orch.html?ex=1361077200&en=9d499f926bc0be4c&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink March 3, 2008 mdy-all The TV recording of the concert was produced by the German production company EuroArts Music International and was broadcast live internationally on CNN in Canada and the United States, CNN International, MBC in South Korea, and SMC in China. Time delayed broadcasts were shown amongst others on Arte in France and Germany, on PBS in the United States as well as PBS's member station WNET locally in New York City, on SVT in Sweden, on DR in Denmark, on RTBF in Belgium, on MTV in Hungary. The concert was also streamed live on the New York Philharmonic's website. Lee Chris http://nyphil.org/about/virtualtours/0708/korea/ The New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang and Seoul New York Philharmonic February 26, 2008 February 27, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080302104633/http://nyphil.org/about/virtualtours/0708/korea/ March 2, 2008 mdy-all The concert may have been remarkable in North Korea for its live coverage alone. Evans J.R. Revere, president of the Korea Society and a negotiator of the visit, stated he believed it to be unprecedented, as other major events are broadcast from videotape footage. DVD In spring 2008 the New York Philharmonic's Pyongyang concert was released worldwide on DVD (Medici Arts / EuroArts / Naxos). Political context On August 13, 2007, the New York Philharmonic announced it was considering an invitation to perform in North Korea that it had received via "an independent representative of the Ministry of Culture". Michelle Nichols https://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN1336869620070814 NY Philharmonic considers North Korean invitation Reuters August 13, 2007 February 28, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20071218211038/http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN1336869620070814 December 18, 2007 mdy-all On October 4, 2007, officials from the New York Philharmonic traveled to Pyongyang, accompanied by the executive director of the Korea Society and a member of the U.S. State Department's Office of Korean Affairs. They toured three concert halls including the Moranbong Theatre and the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, which was chosen for its larger capacity. Wakin Daniel J. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/05/arts/05orch.html?ex=1349323200&en=8ac70f4e20371cfb&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink New York Philharmonic Might Play in North Korea The New York Times October 5, 2007 March 2, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20180225135633/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/05/arts/05orch.html?ex=1349323200&en=8ac70f4e20371cfb&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink February 25, 2018 mdy-all Wakin Daniel J. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/13/arts/music/13phil.html?ex=1350014400&en=cc3d0dc76efedfc7&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink Orchestra Considers Invitation to Korea The New York Times October 13, 2007 February 28, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080303074033/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/13/arts/music/13phil.html?ex=1350014400&en=cc3d0dc76efedfc7&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink March 3, 2008 mdy-all The group discussed permission to meet with local musicians, accompaniment of an international press corp, international broadcast issues, and logistical issues concerning transport and venue preparations. http://nyphil.org/broadcast/podcasts/index.cfm New York Philharmonic Podcast New York Philharmonic February 22, 2008 February 28, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080214100545/http://nyphil.org/broadcast/podcasts/index.cfm February 14, 2008 dead mdy-all The invitation was formally accepted on December 11, 2007, at a news conference attended by the president of the New York Philharmonic, the chairman, and North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Pak Kil-yon. Taylor Kate http://www.nysun.com/article/67929 The Philharmonic In North Korea The New York Sun December 12, 2007 February 28, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080302162845/http://www.nysun.com/article/67929 March 2, 2008 mdy-all According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the possibility of civilian exchanges was discussed at the six-party nuclear disarmament talks in July 2007. The New York Philharmonic was specifically mentioned.http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-32608497_ITM NY Philharmonic considers North Korean invitation Yonhap August 12, 2007 February 28, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080302182927/http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-32608497_ITM March 2, 2008 dead Edidin Peter https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/arts/14arts.html?ex=1344830400&en=651c5cf8b40baa64&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink New York Philharmonic Is Invited to North Korea The New York Times August 14, 2007 February 28, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080303074023/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/14/arts/14arts.html?ex=1344830400&en=651c5cf8b40baa64&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink March 3, 2008 mdy-all Orchestra president and executive director Zarin Mehta billed the concert as "a manifestation of the power of music to unite people."http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/25/nyphilharmonic.nkorea/index.html N.Y. Philharmonic tunes up in N. Korea CNN March 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080227040918/http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/25/nyphilharmonic.nkorea/index.html February 27, 2008 dead Effects The North Korean government allowed unprecedented access to the country to more than 300 foreigners. Internet access and almost completely unrestricted international telephone calls were allowed for foreign journalists, something which is usually highly restricted. The event was the first significant cultural visit from the United States to North Korea since the Korean War. The visit was anticipated as an opportunity to broaden relations with one of the world's most isolated nations. Wakin Daniel J. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/arts/music/10phil.html Philharmonic Agrees to Play in North Korea The New York Times December 10, 2007 February 28, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20081211045240/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/arts/music/10phil.html December 11, 2008 mdy-all The U.S. State Department viewed the invitation as a potential softening of anti-U.S. propaganda.Wakin Daniel J. 2007-12-10 New York Philharmonic agrees to perform in North Korea (Published 2007) en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/world/asia/10iht-north.1.8665214.html 2020-11-05 0362-4331 Song Sok-hwan, North Korea's culture minister, said, "We hope this will be a big step toward increased bilateral cultural exchange between our two countries."http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/272286.html Music and diplomacy are just the ticket in N. Korea The Hankyoreh February 27, 2008 February 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080303031455/http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/272286.html March 3, 2008 live White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said, "I think at the end of the day, we consider this concert to be a concert, and it's not a diplomatic, you know, coup." U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, "The North Korean regime is the North Korean regime," before attending the inauguration of the new president of South Korea Lee Myung-bak in Seoul, adding, "I don't think we should get carried away with what listening to [the concert] is going to do in North Korea."Powell Bill http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1717019,00.html A Gershwin Offensive in North Korea Time February 25, 2008 February 29, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080228142114/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0%2C8599%2C1717019%2C00.html February 28, 2008 dead Funding The orchestra received a donation from Yoko Nagae Ceschina, a Japanese philanthropist who lives in Italy. https://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/56/biz_philanthropy08_Yoko-Nagae-Ceschina_5GMX.html Yoko Nagae Ceschina Forbes February 27, 2008 March 2, 2008 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080303005355/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/56/biz_philanthropy08_Yoko-Nagae-Ceschina_5GMX.html March 3, 2008 mdy-all Zarin Mehta, the orchestra's president, is a friend of Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam Koo, who provided the Asiana Airlines Boeing 747. Demick Barbara http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-logistics27feb27,1,4007266.story?ctrack=1&cset=true North Korea concert is a logistical feat Los Angeles Times February 27, 2008 March 2, 2008 Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation offered to pay for the rights to broadcast a concert by the philharmonic in Seoul after the visit to North Korea. See also North Korea–United States relations Six-party talks Ping-pong diplomacy State Symphony Orchestra of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Summit Series Spring is Coming References 2 Further reading Cathcart Adam North Korean Hip Hop? Reflections on Musical Diplomacy and the DPRK Acta Koreana 12 2 2009 1520-7412 1–19 10.18399/acta.2009.12.2.001 free Kim Suki A Really Big Show: The New York Philharmonic's Fantasia in North Korea Harper's Magazine 317 1903 61–70 December 2008 External links N.Y. orchestra helps forge relations with North Korea The New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang and Seoul official page The New York Philharmonic: Live From North KoreaJune 2025 medicmedic at PBS.org Medici.tv integral video of the concert BBC News picture gallery NYTimes photo slideshow Korea Society Podcast: The New York Philharmonic's Journey to North Korea: Americans in Pyongyang https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181514/http://www.koreasociety.org/dmdocuments/2008-4-2-nyphil.mp3 March 3, 2016 7s7sbS5hiMo EuroArts documentary Americans in Pyongyang Category:2008 in international relations Category:2008 in North Korea Category:2008 in music Category:February 2008 in Asia Category:Classical music concerts North Korea Category:North Korea–United States relations Category:Lorin Maazel