With matinee concert series at Lotte Concert Hall, versatile Korean American musician hopes to make classical music more approachable
Korean American violinist Danny Koo has become a familiar face on South Korean television, particularly through his appearances on “I Live Alone.” For younger audiences, he serves as a classical music guide, hosting the “Pinkfong Classical Music” series, where he and Pinkfong introduce children to the world of classical music.
He participates in these activities to bridge the gap between classical music and today's audiences.
“I feel that the classical music world is becoming a bit smaller. I think one of the reasons is that, as artists, we often find ourselves waiting -- waiting for people to come to us, thinking that if we put something out there, the audience will eventually come,” Koo told reporters during a press conference on Monday at Lotte Concert Hall.
Hoping to make classical music less intimidating and more relevant to diverse audiences, Koo is presenting Lotte Concert Hall’s matinee concert series, L Concert, this spring, spanning three months starting March.
Danny's Playlist
For the first installment of “Danny’s List,” Koo, 33, has curated a selection of iconic melodies from beloved movies.
The program on March 20 includes “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz,” “Everything Happens to Me” from “A Rainy Day in New York,” and “Por Una Cabeza” from “Scent of a Woman,” along with the theme song from action film “Mission: Impossible.” Bandoneonist Koh Sang-ji joined in the arrangement of these pieces and singer Son Tae-jin will join the concert as a guest.
On April 17, Koo and Ditto Chamber Orchestra will present a concert under the theme of spring, featuring Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 and Concerto for 2 Violins, BWV 1043 and "Spring" from Piazzola's “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.”
On May 15, the lunchtime concert will be a jazz and classical crossover featuring jazz pianist Cho Yoon-seung, blending classical pieces with jazz improvisation.
Koo believes his matinee concerts, taking place at 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays, create a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing audiences to engage with music in a different way.
Born in Chicago and raised in Philadelphia, Koo received his bachelor's and master's degrees from New England Conservatory. He moved to South Korea in 2022.
“I feel completing all the violin concerts of Bethooven is not necceeary for me. I'm constantly thinking about diverse, fresh and uniquely my own pieces and selections,” he said.
The L Concert series previously featured pianist Kim Jeong-won, pianist Baek Hye-seon, and conductor Choi Soo-yeol. Ticket prices for the L Concert series range from 10,000 won ($6.90) to 45,000 won.
gypark@heraldcorp.com
