Trends in Japan is featuring interviews with notable foreign residents of Japan. Our second interviewee is Chung Myung-Whun, a renowned maestro born in South Korea. He does not live in Japan but does have close links with the country as the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra's special artistic advisor. Having studied conducting at the Juilliard School and performed with prominent orchestras around the world, he now holds regular positions with four orchestras. CHUNG MYUNG-WHUN: A Maestro of Our Times February 25, 2002 "Classical music has crossed all borders and boundaries and convinced people all over the world of the greatness of its quality. And it is a unique music in the history of mankind; it's the only music that I know that has known this continuous development over a thousand years, more than that. At least a thousand years. And so it has proven itself through the test of time that it is the greatest music that mankind has been able to develop." In conductor Chung Myung-Whun's mind, classical music is world music, a rich heritage that has grown far beyond its European roots to be shared and enjoyed by all. Internationally acclaimed as a maestro of our times, Chung has conducted the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the Opera Bastille in Paris. He is currently principal conductor of the Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra in Rome, musical director of the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, music director and principal conductor of the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra, and special artistic advisor of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Having lived in Europe and America for roughly 20 years each, the South-Korean-born conductor is a true global citizen who feels no cultural inhibitions in performing classical music. Power of Music "I think music knows no national boundaries. Musical ability and musical talent are definitely not linked to whether you are Korean, Japanese, or Chinese, or French or American. It's a language of feeling, of spirit, and no one can convince me that a Korean has a different spirit than a Japanese or Chinese or American. We have different customs, and we have developed different ways of living. But basic human nature and human qualities - I don't believe these you can differentiate by people." In our world today where ethnic, cultural, and religious identities clash with the tide of globalism, perhaps what distinguishes Chung the most as a true maestro of our times is his positive belief in the common human spirit that defies intolerance and prejudice. "I have not ever had a human problem," he says. "If you get to know somebody, then you understand that there is no difference. But unfortunately, there are a very limited number of things that we have at our disposal to be able to communicate freely, and that is the value of music. Music is one of the fundamental ways in which we can communicate with each other, bypassing to a great extent these political and cultural and national boundaries." Chung recalls experiencing this special power himself, when some of Asia's finest musicians gathered to rehearse for the first time as members of the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra. "It was like magic. All of a sudden, Koreans, Japanese, Chinese [and others] were all friends through music. So music has that quality of being able to transcend boundaries to bring people closer together." Asian Energy Asia, which has been relatively late in embracing classical music, is one region where Chung sees much creative energy at work. "When I started in Korea, classical music was not that well known. Now, in Seoul alone, one million pianos are in families, in homes. And it's in a span of forty years that such a thing has happened. So the increase has been hundredfold, thousandfold. That's a very positive sign. In many areas in Europe, people are worried that classical music is a little bit stagnant." And Chung hopes Asian musicians - especially composers - will breathe new life into classical music. "Asia could play a leading role in this, simply because of the amount of interest and the amount of talent I see," he says. "Classical music is looking for a new direction, and it has to come from the composers. And so I hope that that's where we'll see leadership from composers from Asia." The world too, having entered another century, is seeking a new direction. And Chung's words offer inspiration. "It is a very backward kind of thinking to say, 'Oh, we must protect our music.' Well, no. Now the world has changed. We should just simply learn and take from the best that the world all over [has to offer]." An Open-Minded View Chung says living in different countries has given him a better perspective. "I believe that I have a more open-minded view of the world community. And I think that that is the only way to proceed, to encourage the young people to join hands." He is not intimidated by such negative developments as the September 11 terrorist attacks that took place in the United States last year, focusing instead on the positive side. "As with anything, out of tragedy can come something very, very positive and good." He offers an example: "I was reading in the newspaper about how in Japan they're reaching out to help Afghanistan so much. And those things in a bizarre way are a result of this September 11 [attacks]. So it brings out the good and the generosity of people, and that's the best part of it." He is also hopeful that the younger generation can overcome enmities born of past events, such as war, that hinder communication between peoples. "I would like to encourage them to go out and make friends with people of all countries and be generous to them. And if they are having problems with past history, it's up to the next generation to insist that the page be turned, and the future be looked upon in much more positive terms." Here, Chung offers his own experience of working in Japan.   Your Name What did you think of this article? It was interesting. It was boring. Send this article to a friend Trends in Japan Home "My relationship with the Japanese people is a very open - and honestly open - one, because I came after the generation who had had direct confrontation and the direct result of political decisions. For that generation, it takes a very special person to overcome this. I've no such problems. So I've always looked upon it in almost the opposite way. It's up to my generation to balance and find the solution to be able to go forward." Thus the maestro encourages the young - and the old - to seek wider horizons and to share in the good things the world has to offer. "Young people should continue to be independent and free sometimes, and rebel if necessary - but in a good, positive way, to promote more open relationships with other countries - and not be afraid to adopt other customs. And they're not. That's the best thing about young people; they're very courageous and open. So in a way, many times I find that the older people can learn from the young people." CHUNG Myung-Whun Born in 1953 in Seoul, South Korea. Debuted as a pianist at age seven and, after moving to the United States, won second prize for piano at the 1974 Tchaikovsky Competition. Studied conducting at the Juilliard School. Now serves concurrently as principal conductor and/or musical director of three orchestras and is special artistic advisor of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Copyright (c) 2002 Japan Information Network. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources. Articles presented here are offered for reference purposes and do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Japanese Government.