A weeklong festival of wind music will take place next week, bringing together some of the world’s finest musicians in the field, such as German Brass.

Set for Sept 12-18, the 5th Korea International Wind Band Festival is a combination of free and joyful outdoor events taking place at various venues in Seoul and surrounding cities and a series of high-quality concerts at Seoul Arts Center, for which tickets must be purchased.

“Many people dismiss wind music as something like a cliche soundtrack ― fanfare or parade music ― but there is much more to wind music,” Jung Byung-woo, secretary general of the festival’s organizing committee, told a press conference Monday.

“Through Special Concerts (for which there will be ticket sales), we aim to present the depth of the musical world of wind instruments,” he added. 

One of the highlights of the program for ticketholders is a Sept. 14 concert to be held at Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall. Composer and conductor Johan De Meij, best known for his first symphony, “The Lord of the Rings,” will lead the Asian premiere of his fourth symphony, “Sinfonie der Lieder (Symphony of Songs),” with Korean mezzo soprano Kim Moon-jin, Nanpa Boys and Girls Chorale, and the Korea Festival Wind Orchestra.

The concert’s program also includes Ennio Morricone’s “Il Triello” from the film “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” arranged by de Meiji and featuring trumpeter Joe Burgstaller as soloist.

On Sept. 19, the top-class ensembles German Brass and Budapest Saxophone Quartet will take the stage of Seoul Arts Center, with a program of classic works of Bach and Wagner.

“One of the key characteristics of wind music is that it can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors. Some musicians pull off impressive performances while playing, adding extra fun to the dynamic music,” Jung said.

A large-scale parade of some 500 musicians from 15 teams will mark the grand finale of the festival on Sept. 18 at the Olympic Park in Jamsil-dong, Seoul. For more information, visit the festival website at www.windband.or.kr.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)