Korean Broadcasting System Symphony Orchestra

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The KBS Symphony Orchestra(KBS 교향악단) is one of the most famous symphony orchestras in South Korea. It was founded in 1956 as the radio orchestra of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).

Between 1969 to 1981, it became a state-run organization, changing its name to the National Symphony Orchestra of Korea. In this period, they performed chiefly in the National Theater of Korea. In 1979, they made their first tour overseas, in USA.

From 1981, the orchestra's designation was restored to its former name, and new positions, such as general manager, principal guest conductor and full-time conductor, were established in the organization. Their subsequent overseas tours were in Southeast Asia(1984) and Japan(1985 & 1991). In October 1995, they performed in the UN General Assembly in New York City.

In 2000 and 2002, they performed with the State Symphony Orchestra of DPRK in Seoul and Pyongyang. They also held 'goodwill exchange concerts' with NHK Symphony Orchestra and China National Symphony Orchestra in 2002.

They now play chiefly in KBS Hall and the Concert Hall of Seoul Arts Center.

[edit] Conductors

Principal Conductors

Won-Sik Im (1956-1971)
Yeon-Taek Hong (1971-1981)
Gyeong-Su Won (1986-1988)
Othmar Mága (1992-1996)
Myung-Whun Chung (1999)
Dmitri Kitajenko (1999-2004)

Principal Guest Conductors

Walter Gilesen (1982-1984)
Moshe Atzmon (1990-1992)
Vakhtang Jordania (1990-1996)
Eun-Seong Park (2000-2002)
Seung Gwak (2004-2006)

Full-time Conductor

Nan-Sae Geum (1981-1992)

Conductor Emeritus

Won-Sik Im (1998-2002)

[edit] Recordings

In 1995, the KBS Symphony Orchestra recorded Alan Hovhaness' Symphonies nos.39 & 46 with guitarist Michael Long and conductor Vakhtang Jordania in KOCH International Classics. The recording was nominated for the Grammy Awards and, since then, has become quite famous. The Orchestra has also made numerous recordings with Seoul Records, KBS and other recording companies.