| British Ambassador Scott Wightman, fourth from left, poses with six Korean musicians at the envoy's residence in Seoul on Friday. They are, from left, flutist Ahn Hye-joon; pianist Kim Sun-hee; violinist Choi Jae-won; Ambassador Wightman; pianist Chae Ji-sook; cellist Jung Soo-jin; and oboist Lee Hyo-jin. / Korea Times |
By Kang Hyun-kyung
The Korea-Britain Society hosted a concert featuring six Korean musicians at Ambassador Scott Wightman's residence in Seoul, Friday.
It was the second such concert hosted by the society. Last year, the society commemorated the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Britain with a similar concert.
"The Korea-Britain Society concert does great work improving relations between our two countries," Ambassador Wightman said in an opening speech. "Every year, near Christmas, there is an opportunity to raise money which is sent to Koreans studying in the United Kingdom. We are using the money particularly for North Koreans in the United Kingdom for their post graduate studies."
Six Korean musicians performed during the hour-long concert. Violinist Choi Jae-won and pianist Chae Ji-sook together gave a recital of "Salut d'amour Op.12" by E. Elgar to start the concert.
Performances by cellist Jung Soo-jin, flautist Ahn Hye-joon, oboist Lee Hyo-jin, and pianist Kim Sun-hee followed.
Of the six musicians, four studied music in Scotland or England. Two educated in the United States, violinist Choi and cellist Jung, are members of the globally-renowned premier string orchestra, dubbed the Sejong Soloists.
Some of the musicians are scheduled to perform at the Wigmore Hall, a prestigious concert venue in London, in November.
Ambassador Wightman said it was a great pleasure to have such top performing musicians at his residence. Some fifty Korean and British people, among the ambassador's personal contacts in Seoul, were invited to the house concert which was followed by dinner.