Busan Philharmonic Orchestra

The Busan Philharmonic Orchestra is a state-funded symphony orchestra under the jurisdiction of the city of Busan. Founded in 1962, it is the third-oldest orchestra in Korea and one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in Busan.

The Busan Philharmonic Orchestra performs a diverse repertoire and regularly presents special programmes. In addition to subscription concerts featuring classical music, it also organizes accessible performances, bringing lighter and more familiar pieces to people in various locations all over Busan. From 2017 to 2019, the orchestra completed a cycle of Richard Strauss’s complete symphonic poems, followed by a cycle of Ravel’s complete orchestral works from 2020 to 2022. 

With its long history and openness to new musical trends, the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra is dedicated to developing innovative projects. As part of its special programmes, the ensemble presents “Unfinished Concerts,” offering an unfiltered glimpse into the rehearsal process, “Music Education Concerts” for children and young audiences, the “BPO Night Lab” for commuters who have little free time to attend concerts and a “Chamber Music Series” with unique themes. Through these initiatives, the orchestra plays a crucial role in promoting musical values and enriching the lives of Busan’s citizens and visitors.

The activities of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra extend beyond the region. The ensemble participates annually in the orchestra festival at the Seoul Arts Center in the South Korean capital and has embarked on international tours to the United States, Germany, Russia, China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. In 1997, as part of a four-city U.S. tour, the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra became the first Korean orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City. It has also played at major venues in Northeast Asia, including the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, the Beijing National Center for the Performing Arts and the Shanghai Oriental Art Center.

The orchestra has collaborated with numerous conductors from Korea and abroad. Since July 2024, its 12th artistic director, Seokwon Hong, has been leading the orchestra into a new era. Under Hong’s direction, the ensemble has gained widespread attention as a world-class symphony orchestra that has helped establish Busan as a centre for classical music.