Seoul Motet Choir
From Cantata No.106
- Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit
- Es ist der alte Bund
From Cantata No. 131
- Aus der Tiefe rufe ich, Herr, zu dir
- Israel hoffe auf den Herrn
From Cantata No. 147
- Jesus bleibet meine Freude
Seoul Motet Choir
“Chors bleibet meine Freuide.” This was from Helmuth Rilling, the greatest living Bach maestro, praising Seoul Motet Choir after conducting a joint performance with Gächinger Kantorei in September 2013. “I have performed with countless choirs around the world, but rarely found any choir which understood Bach’s music, and is able to handle the different nuances in German, so well as Seoul Motet Choir.”
Seoul Motet Choir was founded in 1989 by the conductor Cheeyong Park with a view to ‘realizing the purest choral music,’ and of ‘proposing and living up to the ideals of church music,’ without being dependent on support from other institutions or organizations. Thus began the journey on the solitary and strenuous path. Its passion and musical activities were spurred when the city of Seoul designated it as the first professional arts corporation in 2001. Numerous prizes followed, beginning in 2004 with the ‘Gale Culture Prize,’ which is awarded to any organization or person for great contribution to the Christian culture; the ‘Arts of the Year’ from the Arts Council Korea in 2004 for outstanding musical performances; the ’37th Korea Culture & Arts Prize, Presidential Award for Music’ in 2005, which had never been awarded to an organization, but only to individuals; and the ‘6th Daewon Music Awards for Musical Performance’ from Daewon Cultural Foundation in 2011 for excellent achievements and great influence in the world of classical music in Korea. With such appreciation of its skills and musical value, and never once deviating from its chosen path, Seoul Motet Choir achieved the miracle of becoming in 2014 the first private professional choir in Korea to ever reach its silver anniversary. With such tireless activities and achievements for 25 years as the backdrop, the choir made a new leap forward as Seoul Motet Music Foundation in April 2014. It was also chosen as the recipient of the ‘1st Culture & Arts Organization Award (Minister’s Prize)’ at the ‘7th Jeju Haevichi Arts Festival’ in July 2014.
“A world-class choir showing the quintessence of pure choral music with clear and genuine resonance, refined harmony, and insightful interpretation,” “natural vocalization, rich overtone, and splendid harmony,” and the “proud leader of pure music in the world of choral music.” These descriptions indicate that this choir has consistently displayed its fundamental spirit in these chaotic times inundated with trifling pop culture. The choir also has the reputation of gracefully handling a wide variety of repertoire including the Renaissance motets and madrigals, and the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music, not to mention Bach cantatas, Mass in B minor, Passion according to St. Matthew, Passion according to St. John, Passion according to St. Luke (Korean premiere), as well as difficult and experimental modern and contemporary music, Korean songs, and newly composed Korean choral music.
In addition to being touted as the best choir worthy of representing Korea by numerous overseas and domestic musicians who had performed with them in more than 1,000 concerts and TV appearances, the choir has also faithfully performed the role of heralding the Korean culture and music, as well as of enhancing the status of Korean choral music through overseas performances in Russia, Japan, Vietnam, Saipan and the US, including tour concerts in Germany in 2002 and 2005. The musicians, staffs and foreign engineers, who were invited to perform with them at reputed music festivals such as Tongyeong International Music Festival, and Great Mountains Music Festival, professed to being overwhelmed at being able to listen to such choral music in Korea.
Mr. Cheeyong Park spoke at an interview as follows: “Music is the nature of nature, and the human voice expressing the music is the most valuable gift from God. So the harmony created from the combination of natural vocalization and rich overtone, entirely devoid of artificial, pretentious or unnatural sound, is uncomparable to any music made with other sound. I have endeavored to make inspirational music which is not merely pleasant to the ear, but also comforts and heals the soul. I have tried, and will continue, to implement that spirit in all the performances.”
Conductor Park, Cheeyong
Mr. Cheeyong Park, the founder and conductor of Seoul Motet Choir, is touted as a “detailed and elaborate perfectionist,” and a “truth-seeker spreading the sound of life” as he enabled others to taste the new depth and joy in choral music through resonance of the purest voice, manifestation of natural rhythm, and insightful interpretation.
Mr. Cheeyong Park studied vocal music and composition at Seoul Arts High School, and graduated from Seoul National University with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music. His exceptional passion and talent for choral music were recognized early, and he began his first career as a choral conductor with the SNU College of Music Concert Choir. Then in 1989, Mr. Park entered the path of full-scale professional choral conductor at the age of 27 by founding Seoul Motet Choir, which was an autonomous professional performance group unprecedented in Korea. In addition to the performances of well-versed, fully inspirational choral music, he has also shown through the management of the choir the future model of creative musical activities beyond the cultural environment in Korea. Apart from leading Seoul Motet Choir for 25 years as its standing conductor, he taught choral music at Seoul Arts High School, Seoul National University, Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, and Korean National University of Arts. He also served as an adjunct professor at Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul National University, Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, and Hangyang University.Seoul Motet Choir
From Cantata No.106
- Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit
- Es ist der alte Bund
From Cantata No. 131
- Aus der Tiefe rufe ich, Herr, zu dir
- Israel hoffe auf den Herrn
From Cantata No. 147
- Jesus bleibet meine Freude
Seoul Motet Choir
“Chors bleibet meine Freuide.” This was from Helmuth Rilling, the greatest living Bach maestro, praising Seoul Motet Choir after conducting a joint performance with Gächinger Kantorei in September 2013. “I have performed with countless choirs around the world, but rarely found any choir which understood Bach’s music, and is able to handle the different nuances in German, so well as Seoul Motet Choir.”
Seoul Motet Choir was founded in 1989 by the conductor Cheeyong Park with a view to ‘realizing the purest choral music,’ and of ‘proposing and living up to the ideals of church music,’ without being dependent on support from other institutions or organizations. Thus began the journey on the solitary and strenuous path. Its passion and musical activities were spurred when the city of Seoul designated it as the first professional arts corporation in 2001. Numerous prizes followed, beginning in 2004 with the ‘Gale Culture Prize,’ which is awarded to any organization or person for great contribution to the Christian culture; the ‘Arts of the Year’ from the Arts Council Korea in 2004 for outstanding musical performances; the ’37th Korea Culture & Arts Prize, Presidential Award for Music’ in 2005, which had never been awarded to an organization, but only to individuals; and the ‘6th Daewon Music Awards for Musical Performance’ from Daewon Cultural Foundation in 2011 for excellent achievements and great influence in the world of classical music in Korea. With such appreciation of its skills and musical value, and never once deviating from its chosen path, Seoul Motet Choir achieved the miracle of becoming in 2014 the first private professional choir in Korea to ever reach its silver anniversary. With such tireless activities and achievements for 25 years as the backdrop, the choir made a new leap forward as Seoul Motet Music Foundation in April 2014. It was also chosen as the recipient of the ‘1st Culture & Arts Organization Award (Minister’s Prize)’ at the ‘7th Jeju Haevichi Arts Festival’ in July 2014.
“A world-class choir showing the quintessence of pure choral music with clear and genuine resonance, refined harmony, and insightful interpretation,” “natural vocalization, rich overtone, and splendid harmony,” and the “proud leader of pure music in the world of choral music.” These descriptions indicate that this choir has consistently displayed its fundamental spirit in these chaotic times inundated with trifling pop culture. The choir also has the reputation of gracefully handling a wide variety of repertoire including the Renaissance motets and madrigals, and the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music, not to mention Bach cantatas, Mass in B minor, Passion according to St. Matthew, Passion according to St. John, Passion according to St. Luke (Korean premiere), as well as difficult and experimental modern and contemporary music, Korean songs, and newly composed Korean choral music.
In addition to being touted as the best choir worthy of representing Korea by numerous overseas and domestic musicians who had performed with them in more than 1,000 concerts and TV appearances, the choir has also faithfully performed the role of heralding the Korean culture and music, as well as of enhancing the status of Korean choral music through overseas performances in Russia, Japan, Vietnam, Saipan and the US, including tour concerts in Germany in 2002 and 2005. The musicians, staffs and foreign engineers, who were invited to perform with them at reputed music festivals such as Tongyeong International Music Festival, and Great Mountains Music Festival, professed to being overwhelmed at being able to listen to such choral music in Korea.
Mr. Cheeyong Park spoke at an interview as follows: “Music is the nature of nature, and the human voice expressing the music is the most valuable gift from God. So the harmony created from the combination of natural vocalization and rich overtone, entirely devoid of artificial, pretentious or unnatural sound, is uncomparable to any music made with other sound. I have endeavored to make inspirational music which is not merely pleasant to the ear, but also comforts and heals the soul. I have tried, and will continue, to implement that spirit in all the performances.”
Conductor Park, Cheeyong
Mr. Cheeyong Park, the founder and conductor of Seoul Motet Choir, is touted as a “detailed and elaborate perfectionist,” and a “truth-seeker spreading the sound of life” as he enabled others to taste the new depth and joy in choral music through resonance of the purest voice, manifestation of natural rhythm, and insightful interpretation.
Mr. Cheeyong Park studied vocal music and composition at Seoul Arts High School, and graduated from Seoul National University with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music. His exceptional passion and talent for choral music were recognized early, and he began his first career as a choral conductor with the SNU College of Music Concert Choir. Then in 1989, Mr. Park entered the path of full-scale professional choral conductor at the age of 27 by founding Seoul Motet Choir, which was an autonomous professional performance group unprecedented in Korea. In addition to the performances of well-versed, fully inspirational choral music, he has also shown through the management of the choir the future model of creative musical activities beyond the cultural environment in Korea. Apart from leading Seoul Motet Choir for 25 years as its standing conductor, he taught choral music at Seoul Arts High School, Seoul National University, Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, and Korean National University of Arts. He also served as an adjunct professor at Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul National University, Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, and Hangyang University.
Seoul Motet Choir
From Cantata No.106
- Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit
- Es ist der alte Bund
From Cantata No. 131
- Aus der Tiefe rufe ich, Herr, zu dir
- Israel hoffe auf den Herrn
From Cantata No. 147
- Jesus bleibet meine Freude
Seoul Motet Choir
“Chors bleibet meine Freuide.” This was from Helmuth Rilling, the greatest living Bach maestro, praising Seoul Motet Choir after conducting a joint performance with Gächinger Kantorei in September 2013. “I have performed with countless choirs around the world, but rarely found any choir which understood Bach’s music, and is able to handle the different nuances in German, so well as Seoul Motet Choir.”
Seoul Motet Choir was founded in 1989 by the conductor Cheeyong Park with a view to ‘realizing the purest choral music,’ and of ‘proposing and living up to the ideals of church music,’ without being dependent on support from other institutions or organizations. Thus began the journey on the solitary and strenuous path. Its passion and musical activities were spurred when the city of Seoul designated it as the first professional arts corporation in 2001. Numerous prizes followed, beginning in 2004 with the ‘Gale Culture Prize,’ which is awarded to any organization or person for great contribution to the Christian culture; the ‘Arts of the Year’ from the Arts Council Korea in 2004 for outstanding musical performances; the ’37th Korea Culture & Arts Prize, Presidential Award for Music’ in 2005, which had never been awarded to an organization, but only to individuals; and the ‘6th Daewon Music Awards for Musical Performance’ from Daewon Cultural Foundation in 2011 for excellent achievements and great influence in the world of classical music in Korea. With such appreciation of its skills and musical value, and never once deviating from its chosen path, Seoul Motet Choir achieved the miracle of becoming in 2014 the first private professional choir in Korea to ever reach its silver anniversary. With such tireless activities and achievements for 25 years as the backdrop, the choir made a new leap forward as Seoul Motet Music Foundation in April 2014. It was also chosen as the recipient of the ‘1st Culture & Arts Organization Award (Minister’s Prize)’ at the ‘7th Jeju Haevichi Arts Festival’ in July 2014.
“A world-class choir showing the quintessence of pure choral music with clear and genuine resonance, refined harmony, and insightful interpretation,” “natural vocalization, rich overtone, and splendid harmony,” and the “proud leader of pure music in the world of choral music.” These descriptions indicate that this choir has consistently displayed its fundamental spirit in these chaotic times inundated with trifling pop culture. The choir also has the reputation of gracefully handling a wide variety of repertoire including the Renaissance motets and madrigals, and the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music, not to mention Bach cantatas, Mass in B minor, Passion according to St. Matthew, Passion according to St. John, Passion according to St. Luke (Korean premiere), as well as difficult and experimental modern and contemporary music, Korean songs, and newly composed Korean choral music.
In addition to being touted as the best choir worthy of representing Korea by numerous overseas and domestic musicians who had performed with them in more than 1,000 concerts and TV appearances, the choir has also faithfully performed the role of heralding the Korean culture and music, as well as of enhancing the status of Korean choral music through overseas performances in Russia, Japan, Vietnam, Saipan and the US, including tour concerts in Germany in 2002 and 2005. The musicians, staffs and foreign engineers, who were invited to perform with them at reputed music festivals such as Tongyeong International Music Festival, and Great Mountains Music Festival, professed to being overwhelmed at being able to listen to such choral music in Korea.
Mr. Cheeyong Park spoke at an interview as follows: “Music is the nature of nature, and the human voice expressing the music is the most valuable gift from God. So the harmony created from the combination of natural vocalization and rich overtone, entirely devoid of artificial, pretentious or unnatural sound, is uncomparable to any music made with other sound. I have endeavored to make inspirational music which is not merely pleasant to the ear, but also comforts and heals the soul. I have tried, and will continue, to implement that spirit in all the performances.”
Conductor Park, Cheeyong
Mr. Cheeyong Park, the founder and conductor of Seoul Motet Choir, is touted as a “detailed and elaborate perfectionist,” and a “truth-seeker spreading the sound of life” as he enabled others to taste the new depth and joy in choral music through resonance of the purest voice, manifestation of natural rhythm, and insightful interpretation.
Mr. Cheeyong Park studied vocal music and composition at Seoul Arts High School, and graduated from Seoul National University with a bachelor’s degree in vocal music. His exceptional passion and talent for choral music were recognized early, and he began his first career as a choral conductor with the SNU College of Music Concert Choir. Then in 1989, Mr. Park entered the path of full-scale professional choral conductor at the age of 27 by founding Seoul Motet Choir, which was an autonomous professional performance group unprecedented in Korea. In addition to the performances of well-versed, fully inspirational choral music, he has also shown through the management of the choir the future model of creative musical activities beyond the cultural environment in Korea. Apart from leading Seoul Motet Choir for 25 years as its standing conductor, he taught choral music at Seoul Arts High School, Seoul National University, Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, and Korean National University of Arts. He also served as an adjunct professor at Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul National University, Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, and Hangyang University.