The Seoul Arts Center is preparing to host its most ambitious International Music Festival yet, with the fifth edition of the event scheduled to run from August 5 to 10, 2025. This year's festival represents a significant expansion from its humble beginnings, featuring an impressive lineup of 11 concerts that will showcase invited artists from around the globe, five carefully selected chamber ensembles chosen through a competitive application process, and a diverse program that spans everything from powerful symphonic works to intimate baroque performances and cutting-edge contemporary music.

Since its launch in 2021 as a summer platform designed to highlight local musical talent, the festival has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a comprehensive international event that is helping to establish Seoul as a major destination for classical music enthusiasts during the summer months. This growth reflects the festival's success in attracting both performers and audiences from across the world.

The festival will open and close with performances by the SAC Festival Orchestra, conducted by Lawrence Renes, who is best known for his distinguished work at the Royal Swedish Opera. The orchestra brings together an exceptional roster of international-caliber musicians, including double bassist Im Chae-moon from the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra, acclaimed cellist Moon Tae-guk, trumpeter Alexandre Baty from the Munich Philharmonic, and flutist Han Yeo-jin, who performs with Hamburg's NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra.

The opening night performance on August 5 will feature a gala program dedicated to the works of Richard Strauss, while the festival's closing concert on August 10 promises to be equally spectacular, presenting Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 alongside Mahler's monumental Symphony No. 1, known as "Titan." The Beethoven concerto will feature Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki as the soloist.

One of the festival's most anticipated debuts will be the appearance of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States on August 6. This Carnegie Hall affiliate ensemble will be making its Korean debut under the baton of conductor Gianandrea Noseda, presenting a program that includes works by Mendelssohn and Rachmaninoff. They will be joined by violinist Clara-Jumi Kang for what promises to be a memorable performance.

Jan Lisiecki will make a second appearance during the festival week, returning for a solo recital on August 9. His program offers an unusual and intriguing journey through the centuries, featuring preludes by composers ranging from Bach and Chopin to more contemporary voices like Messiaen and Gorecki, showcasing the evolution of this musical form across different eras.

Cello enthusiasts have a special treat in store with a rare duo performance by Steven Isserlis and his longtime collaborator Connie Shih on August 8. Their partnership has been celebrated internationally, making this an exceptional opportunity for Seoul audiences. Additionally, the highly regarded Trio Wanderer will be returning to Seoul on August 6, marking their first appearance in the city in two years since their last acclaimed performance.

Several artists will be making their Korean debuts at this year's festival, representing the next generation of classical musicians gaining international recognition. The Geister Duo will perform on August 7, while pianists Zhang Haochen and Kim Se-hyun will present recitals on August 9 and August 8, respectively. All three acts have distinguished themselves by winning top prizes at prestigious international competitions, including the Van Cliburn Competition, the Long-Thibaud Competition, and the Munich ARD Competition.

This year's open-call program took a focused approach, concentrating exclusively on chamber music and resulting in the selection of five distinctive ensembles that represent a wide range of musical genres and approaches. Ensemble Hwadam will open the festival on August 5 with the premiere of a specially commissioned nonet, offering audiences the chance to hear new work created specifically for the event.

Also performing on August 5, Jeong Ji-soo & Baroque in Blue will present a fascinating exploration of the intersection between jazz and baroque music, demonstrating how these seemingly different genres can complement and enhance each other. The Novelty Quartet will take the stage on August 7 with a socially conscious string program that addresses contemporary issues through music.

BrassArts Seoul will perform on August 8, highlighting the rich and varied repertoire available for brass quintets and showcasing the unique sound world that these instruments can create together. Finally, the Ast Quartet will perform on August 9, offering audiences a refined, European-informed approach to string quartet performance that reflects the highest traditions of chamber music.

The festival will take place across multiple venues within the Seoul Arts Center complex, including the main Concert Hall, the more intimate IBK Chamber Hall, and the Recital Hall. This variety of spaces allows each performance to be presented in the most appropriate acoustic environment, from large-scale orchestral works to intimate chamber music settings.

Ticket prices for the festival have been set to ensure accessibility while reflecting the high caliber of the performances, ranging from 20,000 won (approximately $15) for some events up to 110,000 won for premium concerts. This pricing structure is designed to make world-class classical music accessible to a broad range of audience members, from students and young professionals to dedicated classical music enthusiasts.

The festival represents not only a celebration of musical excellence but also Seoul's growing importance as an international cultural destination, bringing together established artists and emerging talents from around the world for six days of exceptional musical experiences.