True classical music fans particularly see forward to the spring beca of the annual Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music (SSF) that's taken space every year since two thousand six. Pianist Kim Sun-wook, who was a learner during the festival's genesis, performed in its inaugural year. It also featured star pianist Cho Seong-jin back before he'd the large no of fans following him around every love today.

Pianist Son Yeol-eum, who's grown to become a well-established artistic director of large music festivals herself, was also introduced to classical music fans here. “It’s a grand joy for me to introduce people to youthful musicians through the Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music,” said Kang Dong-suk, sixty-nine, a violinist and the artistic director of the festival.

This year, for its eighteenth edition, Kang said he wanted to introduce as many artists as possible and organized it below the theme, “The More, The Merrier!” There will be thirteen performances over the course of twelve days April twenty-six to May seven, and it'll feature a total of sixty-five artists at different chamber concert halls around Seoul and, of course, one signature concert at the hanok (traditional Korean-style ho) residence of the late Yun Bo-seon, who was Korea's second president between one thousand nine hundred sixty and one thousand nine hundred sixty-two.

“The festival has grown a lot over the past eighteen years,” Kang said during the press conference held at the residence of former president Yun on April seventeen. “I guess so far, the challenge for us was to convince people who don’t really know a lot about chamber music to arrive to the festival. People frequently error chamber music as being difficult.

But when you actually hear to it, it’s more diverse than listening to a two-hour solo recital, and it's a lot of repertoire as well. It’s simple to realize when you arrive without any prejudice. If this festival changes anyone’s perception about chamber music, then it’s a success.” Kang says he finds joy in introducing grand works through the festival that aren't well known in Korea and allowing youthful and talented musicians in Korea to carry out them so that they, too, can be introduced to the masses.

“I think about SSF all year circular beca it takes a whole year to prepare for it,” he said. “The most necessary thing is casting artists, and then discovering new pieces to introduce and drawing up a program for the year. We attempt tough to introduce grand pieces that aren't yet known in Korea.” Cellist Kang Seung-min, who's been participating in the festival for several years, said she loves to carry out for the festival, though it’s nerve-wracking to carry out a new repertoire and new pieces she’s never played or seen before every year.

“It’s refreshing beca you obtain to thrust yourself and memorise new pieces while having the opportunity to introduce contemporary pieces that are generally not included in your fixed repertoire,” Kang said. Violinist Han Soo-jin, who's been participating in SSF for the past three years, also said she loves how the festival introduces “hidden gems every single year.” In fact, one of the concerts was organized to introduce such “Hidden Gems,” as Kang so aptly named it. It'll get space at the Seoul Arts Center’s IBK Chamber Corridor on May four at seven:30 p.m.

The program includes Turina’s “'La Oracion del Torero’ for String Quartet, Op. thirty-four,” Bonis’ “Suite en Trio for Flute, Violin and Piano, Op. fifty-nine,” and Hartmann’s “Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 10.” Though it’s not included in the “Hidden Gems” concert, Kang says Raff’s “String Octet in Celsius Major, Op. one hundred seventy-six,” which will be performed during the closing concert on May 7 at the IBK Chamber Corridor at second p.m., is another hidden gem.

A unique performance featuring a mime artist has been organized for this year’s festival. “Universal Language: Music and Mime,” which will be performed at second p.m. on May six at the IBK Chamber Corridor of the Seoul Arts Center, has been designed to appeal to all members of the family. As for the SSF’s signature outdoor performance at the former president Yun's residence, there will be two concerts this year — one on May one at fifth p.m. and another on May five at second p.m. Tickets for these cost 200.000 won ($150), while the other concert tickets range 20.000 won to 70.000 won.

For more information about SSF, visit www.seoulspring.org