By Lee Jihae
Photos = K-Arts Creative of Korea National University of Arts

The silver-haired musician tilted his head while taking his hands off the piano keys. The sound of Prelude & Fuge in C major K. 394 gradually faded like the wind during a sunset. The audience sitting on mats or chairs gave a standing ovation for quite a while after he performed.

This performance on May 31, the beginning of early summer, was by renowned pianist Paik Kun-Woo, who played Mozart on the first day of the annual Gyechon Classic Festival in Bangnim-myeon Township of Pyeongchang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province. Running from May 31 to June 2, the event marked its 10th anniversary this year.

Playing Fantasy in D minor K. 397 and Piano Sonata No. 12 in F major K. 332 with elegant hand movement and delicate expression, the maestro conveyed rather dark and dramatic melodies to express grief, tension and mystery while evoking a lively and vivacious atmosphere via a bright and clear tone.

An overwhelming sense of beautiful innocence and warmth spread throughout the venue, as if Mozart was filling the space. This is how Paik controlled the audience's emotions with his music.

Despite a brief shower during the outdoor concert, this failed to deter the audience from enjoying the extensive skills and experience of Paik. Instead, the rain enhanced the atmosphere in forming a harmony with nature to provide a unique experience for the audience. 

Stars were seen not in the cloudy sky but within nature through the sounds of the forest, birds and insects in the grass added warmth. 

Lee Da-kyung, a visitor who watched the concert until the end, said, "The sound of the rain felt like background music, thus the performance's atmosphere was much better."

When the sun gradually set over the mountain village, the other protagonists of the festival appeared on stage. The Gyechon Starlight Orchestra, which was comprised of students and graduates of Gyechon Elementary School and Gyechon Middle School, began their performance with Edward Elgar's Salut d'Amour, Op. 12.

They followed with more well-known songs such as a Disney medley, "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Love Story of a Mountain Boy."

Visitor Cho Yun-tae, who sang along with the latter tune, said, "I was most impressed by 'Love Story of a Mountain Boy,'" adding, "It brought back memories probably because I learned the song when I was little."

The second day featured bass baritone Samuel Youn, soprano Park Soyoung, pianist Lee Jinsang and the Korea National University of Arts (KNUA) Orchestra. And pianist Cho Seong-Jin and the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra led by conductor Kim Sunwook took to the stage on the final day.

The festival venue of Gyechon is a small mountain village with a population of 1,700. The origin of the event dates back to 2009, when the elementary school there was on the brink of closing due to lack of students. As the shutdown seemed imminent, the school's principal Kwon Oh-ee, who plays the violin, decided to do something in a desperate bid by founding the Starlight Orchestra with the participation of all of the students. 

The orchestra began attracting students from other regions but most importantly kept the school open. Gyechon Middle School also founded an orchestra in 2012.

Upon hearing of this, the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation of Hyundai Motor Group and the KNUA launched the Art Village Project in Gyechon. The university sends its graduates every year to teach at the school, with the festival marking its 10th anniversary this year.

Probably due to its outdoor venue, the event had a feeling different from the typical solemnity at other classical music performances. Visitors comfortably sat on the grass free from strict regulations on seats or behavior, and this free atmosphere probably attracted visitors who brought children.

Around the venue, the region's culinary specialties were sold under the promotional slogan "agricultural goods cultivated while listening to classical music" like bibimbap, or rice with vegetables, meat and spicy red pepper paste), tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) and dakkochi (chicken skewers) plus beer. This exciting party attracted visitors nationwide and allowed them to mingle with the performing musicians.

Befitting its venue as a site for a classical music festival, the village had sculptures and murals related to music. Piano keys were painted on a bridge and walls and sculptures of musical instruments were next to the entrance to the concert hall. Visitors were impressed by a water cooler resembling a piano and many took photos of it.

Attracting an estimated 15,700 visitors over its three days, this festival was no ordinary concert but an exhilarating event where nature, music and people collectively formed an art village.

jihlee08@korea.kr